Lamborghini has confirmed that its next-generation of family-sized sports car will be powered by a V8 hybrid. This continues the trend in the company’s current focus as it steers away from electric vehicles and invest heavily in plug-in hybrid systems due to the ‘lack of emotion’ surrounding an electric powertrain. The in-your-face Urus is the brand’s bestseller, mixing track-focused performance with daily usability.
CarBuzz recently caught up with Stefano Cossalter, the Urus product line director, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed to hear why an electrified V8 is the logical powertrain to take the brutish SUV into the next few years.
The V8 Is Here To Stay
Lamborghini Urus SE PerformanteLamborghini
Unlike other manufacturers, namely Maserati and Ferrari, Lamborghini does not feel the need to launch an all-electric model. Its most recent attempt, the Lanzador coupe SUV, was announced in 2023 as the brand’s first BEV, but plans for an electric model were shelved earlier this year. Instead, the Lanzador will come to life as a plug-in hybrid, and will become the fourth Lamborghini model line, acting as a two-door two-plus-two grand tourer.
The Lanzador was never meant to replace the Urus, but the latter’s future was never fully confirmed, until now. With stronger sales than ever, Lamborghini has confirmed the super-SUV will continue for another generation.
“In any case, the next generation Urus will not be an electric car,” said Cossalter, who is also in charge of electrification efforts at Lamborghini. “We’re going to follow the industry, and we’re going to still go for a V8 hybrid.” The most recent addition to the Urus family, the SE Performante, makes over 800 horsepower from this type of power plant. It also has a 37-mile electric range thanks to a 25.9 kWh battery.
Lamborghini has also reaffirmed its belief that hybrid is the best choice for this type of vehicle. “I like the daily usability with so much torque,” explained Cossalter. “But we didn’t compromise on comfort.” This V8 is also shared by Audi in the RS Q8, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and the Bentley Bentayga. Lamborghini has crafted its own distinct character with this engine, such as revving to 2,400 rpm on start up to create more noise.
Lamborghini Makes The Urus More Extreme With Electrons
Lamborghini Urus SE PerformanteGabrielle Schmauderer/CarBuzz/Valnet
The Urus has matured into a product that can be both used on track and on the road with comfort, but the latest SE Performante swings the pendulum towards performance more than any other SUV from the company. Carbon has been used extensively to lower the weight compared to previous models, and even with the extra downforce created by vents and spoilers, top speed remains the same as the regular SE at 194 mph.
“The Urus has everything you want. It’s like when you open a menu, and you can get antipasti or a dessert. That’s the recipe for the Urus.”
– Stefano Cossalter, Urus Product Line Director, Lamborghini
The V8 powertrain is central to the experience. A new Akrapovič exhaust is lighter and more exciting, the company told us, and individual driving modes can be chosen to change the amount of hybrid power being sent to the wheels. “When you’re in electric mode, you’re not really recognized as driving a Lamborghini,” Cossalter said. “But when you’re moving to Corsa, the fun is there. It’s like driving a Revuelto.”
Lamborghini also envisions people using this car at ten-tenths, which is why it has active anti-roll bars, dampers tuned to extreme performance, and eight accelerometers to measure chassis dynamics. This system first appeared on the Fenemeno limited-production hypercar and measures the car’s yaw, pitch, roll, and traction actively, responding and adjusting the suspension to increase grip in response to these movements.
CarBuzz Insight — Why This Matters
Stefano Cossalter, product line director for Lamborghini UrusLamborghini
While Ferrari’s stock price fell significantly when the Luce was revealed and with Maserati’s sales slumping, Lamborghini has been able to increase its brand awareness and loyalty by creating cars for its customers. The Urus has brought lots of new customers to the brand, but has also been able to retain those who want the theater of a supercar in a more practical shape.
Deciding not to make an electric SUV of its bestseller was the risky move — and it hasn’t been kind to companies like Porsche, who have just switched the Macan crossover to electric power only (albeit with a new combustion model on the way after an abrupt electrification U-turn). The company could have added fake theater to its electric car, like Hyundai’s simulated gearshifts, but its customers would see right through it.
Committing to another generation of V8s brings more stability to the brand, and since the Urus is officially its best-selling model of all time, Lamborghini is being smart in not messing with a winning formula.
Base Trim Engine
4L V8 Hybrid
Base Trim Transmission
8-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
611 HP @6000 RPM
Base Trim Torque
589 lb.-ft. @ 2250 RPM
Base Trim Battery Type
Lithium ion (Li-ion)
Infotainment & Features
8.5 /10
