A single-make SUV racing series is not something that pops up every few years for obvious reasons, and a single-make SUV racing series based on a very plush, very expensive SUV promises to be an even rarer event. But that’s exactly what Lamborghini plans to do with its new Urus model, which debuted earlier this year and was recently previewed in racing form by the Urus ST-X concept.
This single-make series is scheduled to launch in 2020, but it won’t consist of owners’ cars with a roll cage, a vinyl wrap and numbers on the doors, as entertaining as that would admittedly be. Lamborghini will produce lighter versions for this racing series that will take some of the pork and some (all?) of the DVD screens out of its SUV, aiming to shave a whole quarter off its curb weight. The interior will feature all the racing goodies, including a racing fuel tank, fire suppression system and a roll cage.
The racing versions of the Urus will still be powered by the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8s churning out 650 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, which should shave a few fractions of a second off its stock 3.6-second sprint time from 0-62 mph. In fact, with 25 percent of the curb weight gone and better aerodynamics fitted along with a performance exhaust system, we wouldn’t be surprised if that sprint time drops into mid-two-second territory.
The automaker will shave 25 percent of the curb weight off the Urus, which is pretty impressive and should be offered as a road-legal option.
Lamborghini aims to make this racing series as customer-friendly as possible, which means it will offer the arrive-and-drive format where customers can fly in on their private jets from mostly Dubai and Moscow and go racing without having to worry about shipping the car, changing the oil in it or vacuuming it every few races — Lamborghini will take care of all that. What’s not to like?
Source: Autoweek