In one of the least-surprising press releases ever to be, er, released, Lamborghini has confirmed that it will start making a big, luxurious SUV from 2018 onwards.
Seeing as the Italian company has been, since 2012, hawking around the sexy Urus SUV concept and constantly saying "yes, we might (wink, nudge) build it, some day (nudge, wink)" this must qualify as the least shocking motor industry announcement. Ever.
We know that the Lamborghini SUV will be based on the same chassis as the new Audi Q7, which means it will also share with the upcoming Bentley Bentyaga as well as the next VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne. Audi's 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 will likely be the core of the engine lineup (making this the first V8-engined Lamborghini since the old Jalpa of the seventies) and a plugin hybrid is a dead cert. The Gallardo's 5.2-litre V10 will also make an appearance but Lamborghini is unlikely to take the risk of a diesel version this time around.
What we don't know yet is what it will look like and what it will be called. The Urus name may not survive the conversion from concept to production, while it's likely that the styling of the concept car will be heavily updated, not least to give it more practical boot space and rear-seat room: Lamborghini explicitly says that it's chasing the upscale family market which has, thus far, had to shop with other brands when it wants a car with back seats.
Lambo's CEO Stephan Winkleman (a man who wears the most immaculate suits we've ever seen) said that: "this is a proud moment for everybody in Lamborghini. 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 SUV will be made in Sant'Agata Bolognese, demonstrating our commitment to safeguarding the values of 'Made in Italy' worldwide."