Late last month, major changes were announced for one of the most desirable SUVs in the world. A new plug-in hybrid version of the Lamborghini Urus is currently being developed and will launch in late 2024. This is good news for those wanting more power or lower fuel consumption. However, according to company CEO Stephan Winkelmann, the Urus PHEV will completely replace the existing pure V8s.
Rumors of the Lamborghini Urus being offered as a plug-in hybrid existed since 2017. After all, the super-SUV is very closely related to models like the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q8 and Bentley Bentayga, which already offer plug-in hybrid powertrains. However, the PHEV is now a necessity if the Urus wants to continue being sold.
Lamborghini just introduced two new versions of the Urus. First came the Urus Performante, a hardcore version intended for occasional track use or canyon carving. It’s 100 lbs lighter, sits lower, and brings a bit more power out of the 4.0L twin-turbo V8. After that came the new Urus S, which is the mainstream version and costs about $35,000 less. Once these two are sold out, you won’t be able to buy a Urus without just the V8 and no plug-in electric technology.
The Urus PHEV will continue to be sold for several years, until around 2030, when the Urus EV makes its debut.
Why the Urus is becoming a hybrid
There are two reasons why the Urus is going hybrid: noise levels and emissions.
Manufacturers don’t like to talk about noise regulations because customers can’t know their supercars are supposed to be as quiet as a Corolla. EU regulation No. 540/2014 states that in 2026, cars can’t be louder than 68 decibels.
The sound is measured stationary, which is why most performance cars have a soft limiter of around 4,000 rpm. This spy video of the Urus hybrid, shot by Varryx near Lambo’s test facility, indicates it’s even quieter than the current model.
But there’s also a stationary test where they drive through an area at about 30 mph, floor the throttle and immediately lift off. This is why most supercars you see are hybrids or plug-in hybrids like Lamborghini’s new Revuelto, so they can be in EV mode.
In a recent interview, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said developing large displacement engines that meet new emissions targets is “incredibly costly.” In Europe, Euro 7 standards are in effect as of mid-2025. This coincides well with the Urus hybrid’s launch.
V8 + electric motor = strongest Urus ever
The good news is that the Urus hybrid will still use a V8. Audi and Porsche have two main PHEV systems in production. The V6 one uses the 3.0-liter TFSI and maxes out at about 464 hp (470 PS), although Bentley has a version with 20 less HP. The V8 plug-in hybrid is mostly reserved for flagships, the Panamera and Cayenne with the long “Turbo S E-Hybrid” badge.
However, those engines are already outdated, with production ending in April 2023, and we believe new ones will power both the Cayenne facelift and the Urus PHEV. Audi may use them as well in the RS6 or RS Q8.
We believe more power will be added. The Cayenne Turbo S might have 700 PS instead of 680 PS currently. Lamborghini will need to go a step beyond, suggesting the Urus plug-in hybrid may deliver about 750 horsepower. The German auto industry already has rival V8 PHEVs, such as the 791 hp system in the new Mercedes-AMG S63 or the 738 hp o the BMW XM Label Red.
Since it’s a 2025 model, the Urus PHEV might have the best battery Porsche and Audi have developed. With 25.9 kWh maximum capacity, the one in the 2024 Cayenne is a good candidate.