Coming in 2018: A Lamborghini SUV
Lamborghini is staking out a slice of the sport utility vehicle market.
The Italian automaker, known for its line of high-speed luxury sports cars, will introduce Lamborghini’s SUV in 2018. The new vehicle allows parent company Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. to expand its reach in emerging overseas luxury markets.
According to Bloomberg, the new SUV will cost about 180,000 euros, a little more than $196,000. The SUV will be manufactured in Sant’Agata Bolognese in northern Italy where Lamborghini is headquartered.
Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann expressed his excitement in a statement.
“This is a proud moment for everybody in Lamborghini,’’ said Winkelmann in a press release. “The introduction of a third model line endorses the stable and sustainable growth of the company and signifies for us the beginning of a new era.’’
The new Lamborghini will be based on the company’s Urus prototype, which debuted in 2012 at the Beijing Auto Show.
In a statement, IHS Automative Principal Analyst Ian Fletcher said Laborghini’s SUV will be a “very important model’’ for the company’s brand.
“Not only will it broaden its product portfolio away from high end nice sports cars in to the growing luxury (and soon to be super luxury) SUV segment,’’ said Fletcher. “It could well also bring new customers to the brand.’’
Bloomberg also reports other high-end luxury automakers are getting into the crossover market, including Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, and Maserati.
Fletcher said the SUV could appeal to consumers who are attracted to Lamborghini’s “dramatic styling’’ but who find the company’s traditional sports cars impractical. Lamborghini is anticipating annual demand for its SUV to be 3,000 units worldwide.
But Fletcher cautions the vehicle’s success will depend on the financial health of overseas markets.
“Achieving these levels would depend on stability and growth in the global economy, particularly in the markets such as China and Russia,’’ said Fletcher.
Richard Geremia, general manager of Herb Chambers Lamborghini Boston, said he is “thrilled’’ with the announcement and anticipates the Lamborghini SUV will be a hit with local consumers.
“A Lamborghini SUV will provide the highest level of Italian style and performance that can be enjoyed year round,’’ Geremia told Boston.com in an email. “Being the exclusive Lamborghini dealer in New England, we anticipate being a global leading region in the ultra luxury SUV market.’’
The SUV would be a radical departure from the two-seat Huracan, which made its Boston debut last fall. The Huracan’s MSRP starts at $238,750.
See more about the Lamborghini Huracan below:
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