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Urraco

A Lamborghini four-seater

General model biography: Urraco

The Urraco was the first of the V8-powered model lines, marking a significant departure from the V12s that had become iconic for the Lamborghini brand. The move to a new engine was desired by Ferruccio Lamborghini, who wanted a high-volume production line that he hoped would improve the stability of the company. The Urraco was presented in November 1970 as a 2+2 berlinetta. The design of the body followed that of previous models, but the engine was a new 2.5 liter V8, mounted transversely ahead of the rear wheels.

General model biography: Urraco

The Urraco was the first of the V8-powered model lines, marking a significant departure from the V12s that had become iconic for the Lamborghini brand. The move to a new engine was desired by Ferruccio Lamborghini, who wanted a high-volume production line that he hoped would improve the stability of the company. The Urraco was presented in November 1970 as a 2+2 berlinetta. The design of the body followed that of previous models, but the engine was a new 2.5 liter V8, mounted transversely ahead of the rear wheels.

 The car retained the character and performance of the established Lamborghini family, but was less complex than the V12s that had gone before. The Urraco established itself as an easy-to-handle, compact and fast car to drive, but was introduced into a difficult economic and social climate. The P250 model, the first to be offered for sale, was later joined on the market by the P200 version, which had a two-litre version of the engine to reduce the tax impact on the Italian market. Later Lamborghini introduced the P300, which stayed in production until 1979. This had a 3-liter V8 engine, also featuring a double overhead camshaft design.

Design Urraco

Designed by Carrozzeria Bertone, the Urraco was introduced as a berlinetta, a sports coupe that was characterised by a very pronounced wedge shape at the front. The car measured just 4.25 meters in length, which was particularly compact for the time, especially considering the 2+2 configuration. The Urraco featured a tapered nose that extended up to the horizontal belt line that ran to the rear of the car. The roofline joined this central belt at the rear via very thin slats at the side and across the rear window. The unusual design of the rear window area allowed heat to escape from the mid-mounted engine. The cabin was spacious for the type of car, and featured an innovative dashboard, with rev counter and speedometer positioned at opposite sides of the instrument panel, and a dish-shaped steering wheel that emphasized the sporting character of the model.

Urraco Technical

The Urraco was designed by Paolo Stanzani, who was considered one of the most innovative design engineers at Lamborghini. So different was the Urraco compared to Lamborghini’s previous designs that Stanzani later declared the Urraco to be the model that he was most proud of, thanks to its innovative and often revolutionary technical design. Among these innovations were the independent suspension, with McPherson struts on all four wheels for the first time on a production car. Other innovations included concave piston crowns, so-called Heron heads, that offered benefits compared to traditional designs. The initial P250 featured an all-new 2.5-liter V8 engine that produced 220hp. This had a single overhead camshaft that was controlled by a toothed belt. It was produced between 1971 and 1975, with 275 units of the Urraco and 246 units of the Urraco S version produced. The S featured a leather interior, and tinted windows. 

At the 1974 Turin Motor Show, the P200 made its debut with a smaller 1,994cc displacement to better suit the economic climate. Even with the reduced capacity, the engine still produced 182hp. That was intended for the Italian market where 71 units were sold between 1975 and 1977. From 1975 the P300, featuring a 2,996cc engine and 265hp, was more successful, and Lamborghini produced 203 units.

Urraco Technical

The Urraco was designed by Paolo Stanzani, who was considered one of the most innovative design engineers at Lamborghini. So different was the Urraco compared to Lamborghini’s previous designs that Stanzani later declared the Urraco to be the model that he was most proud of, thanks to its innovative and often revolutionary technical design. Among these innovations were the independent suspension, with McPherson struts on all four wheels for the first time on a production car. Other innovations included concave piston crowns, so-called Heron heads, that offered benefits compared to traditional designs. The initial P250 featured an all-new 2.5-liter V8 engine that produced 220hp. This had a single overhead camshaft that was controlled by a toothed belt. It was produced between 1971 and 1975, with 275 units of the Urraco and 246 units of the Urraco S version produced. The S featured a leather interior, and tinted windows. 

At the 1974 Turin Motor Show, the P200 made its debut with a smaller 1,994cc displacement to better suit the economic climate. Even with the reduced capacity, the engine still produced 182hp. That was intended for the Italian market where 71 units were sold between 1975 and 1977. From 1975 the P300, featuring a 2,996cc engine and 265hp, was more successful, and Lamborghini produced 203 units.

Lifestyle Urraco

The color scheme alone placed the car squarely in the 1970s, and the combinations chosen by the customers reinforced this period of automotive styling. The Urraco, after all, was one of the automotive symbols, thanks to its shapes that broke with convention, its performance and, above all, its road holding that made it one of the most pleasant cars to drive which made it a sought-after choice for enthusiasts.

Lifestyle Urraco

The color scheme alone placed the car squarely in the 1970s, and the combinations chosen by the customers reinforced this period of automotive styling. The Urraco, after all, was one of the automotive symbols, thanks to its shapes that broke with convention, its performance and, above all, its road holding that made it one of the most pleasant cars to drive which made it a sought-after choice for enthusiasts.