Many automakers churn out SUV coupe after SUV coupe without regard to what coupe used to mean prior to the advent of the E71 BMW X6 and SsangYong Actyon. The Raging Bull of Sant'Agata Bolognese, however, understands that coupe means two side doors rather than four, even in the case of an SUV.
Enter the Lanzador concept, a zero-emission sport utility vehicle with four seats, three doors (including the rear hatch), two electric motors, and over a megawatt of power. That's 1,341 mechanical ponies, which – in turn – converts to 1,360 metric ponies. Pretty swell, isn't it?
The good news doesn't end here, though. Lamborghini's "Ultra GT" is more powerful than the Italian automaker's flagship, namely the Revuelto. From a naturally-aspirated V12 and three motors, the midship supercar belts out a Bugatti Veyron-shaming 1,015 ps (1,001 hp).
One could easily make the mistake of putting the Lanzador on a pedestal, higher than the Revuelto in the Raging Bull's lineup. The truth of the matter is, the all-electric SUV coupe simply cannot be categorized as such.
The Lanzador's production version, which is due to land in 2028, bridges the gap between the Urus and the marque's two mid-engine cars. Think of it as a compromise. Or, better said, as the best of both worlds.
On the one hand, you have a gran turismo-inspired comfortable cruiser with 2+2 seating, folding rear seats, a cavernous trunk in the rear, and a carbon-clad frunk up front. On the other, over a megawatt of power and near-instant torque would make today's hi-po electric vehicles blush in awe. Think Lucid Air Sapphire (1,234 horsepower) and Tesla's Plaid models (1,020 ponies).
Photo: Lamborghini
Although the side profile view may not be to everyone's taste due to the almost flat glass roof and somewhat unattractive B and C pillars, the Lanzador isn't meant to be a crowd-pleaser. Even under the Volkswagen Group's control, Automobili Lamborghini never betrayed its own ethos. Flamboyant, in your face, wild, exotic, and loud best describe what makes a Lambo a Lambo, although the loud part sadly doesn't apply in the Lanzador's case due to its high-output electric motors.
Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva electronically-controlled active aero is on the menu as well. The ALA system comprises the front splitter, front air shutter, rear diffuser, and rear airblades. You'll also notice four openings in the hood, right next to the windshield. Those comprise the S-Duct system, which creates downforce and only a smidgen of drag. Ferrari pioneered the S-Duct system in road-going applications with the 488 Pista.
Pictured on 23-inch wheels mounted with sticky rubber from Pirelli, the Lanzador is also equipped with rear-wheel steering, active air suspension, torque vectoring, and something called Wheelspeed Control. According to Lamborghini, said contraption improves turn-in by regulating "power and force" (whatever power and force may mean in Lambo's vernacular) at every wheel.
Under the automaker's Direzione Cor Tauri decarbonization roadmap, the Lanzador will be joined by another electric sport utility vehicle. The Urus is due a second generation in 2029, which – as implied – will be much cleaner than the first one. In the meantime, Lamborghini is putting the finishing touches on the plug-in hybrid successor of the Urus S and Urus Performante.
The yet-unnamed model is sure to share its powertrain with the 2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, which produces over 690 hp (700 ps) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm). But being a Lamborghini, expect a bigger punch from the automaker's second plug-in hybrid after the Revuelto.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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