Miguel Sánchez
PHOTOGRAPHS LAMBORGHINI URRACO: LAMBORGHINI MEDIA CENTER
For Ferrari and Lamborghini, the seventies had to be, necessarily, different from everything done in the previous decade. And we are not really talking from a technological point of view, but a financial one. And it is that, after years starring in the golden era of the GT, it was time to tighten the belt of emotions to think with the portfolio. Therefore, both brands consolidated their access range. And they even added little four-seater V8s! At Ferrari this was done with the Dino 308/208 GT4, while at Sant'Agata's house it was with the Lamborghini Urraco.
Both the Dino GT4 and the Lamborghini Urraco received great attention from both companies. While Enzo Ferrari and Niki Lauda were personally involved in the design of the first, the Urraco's conception was dominated by two bosses. Mechanically Paolo Stanzani, chief engineer of the Lamborghini Technical Office; in bodywork Marcelo gandini, of those chief designer at Bertone. Two firms that highlight the importance of the operation.
An operation that can only be understood from the need to clean up accounts and put our feet on the ground. And it is that, although models like the 250 GTO or the Miura were capable of creating powerful advertising images, their few runs did not manage to fatten the accounts. Thus the implementation of access models was necessary. Something that Ferrari did with the Dino and Lamborghini with this interesting 2 + 2 that now celebrates 50 years since its presentation at the Turin Motor Show in October 1970.
LAMBORGHINI URRACO. INNOVATION IN EVERY SENSE
At Lamborghini they have always been used to course changes. After all, the company was born manufacturing tractors to later establish itself as one of the great myths of Italian sportsmanship. An adventure in which, through the middle, they have even sneaked Wanderings with military and off-road vehicles. However, the appearance of the Lamborghini Urraco was a surprise. Even more so after having consolidated an impressive V12 saga with models such as the Miura, the Jarama or the Espada.
Far from its older brothers, the Lamborghini Urraco was presented as a restrained V8 with four seats and just over four meters. About half a meter shorter than the Espada. A contained character with which it was expected to reduce costs and increase sales by reducing the price. In fact, along with the appearance of the Urraco, Lamborghini launched a more automated assembly line where the hours of artisan work were drastically reduced.
A novelty accompanied by the fact that it is the first production car with a McPherson suspension system on both the front and rear axles. All this to keep this Lamborghini Urraco glued to the ground, which had in its P250 version -the canonical and first- with a 8-liter V2 engine capable of delivering 5CV at 220 rpm. Enough power to reach 245 km / h with a weight of just over 1.100 kilos. All this with a production of 776 units counting the different series.
LAMBORGHINI URRACO. THREE SERIES (PLUS ONE FOR AMERICA)
One of the most interesting features of the Lamborghini Urraco is the versatility of its range. Undoubtedly, the most widespread version was the P250. Precisely the one that is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the model, which has the characteristics that we have just discussed. However, within its 520 units there are 11 that make up a subseries: the P111. All destined to the American market where, to comply with regulations, they had to reduce the power 40CV in addition to mounting a more voluminous bumper.
Beyond the P250, two more versions were offered from 1974. Lowering the bar to an even more tame and accessible model was the Lamborghini Urraco P200. With a displacement of two liters and a power of 182CV this was the most affordable series, of which only 66 units were manufactured. A number well below the 190 of the P300, the most powerful version thanks to its displacement increased to 3 liters capable of delivering 250CV.
Paradoxically, and despite having been conceived with the financial vision as the flag, the Lamborghini Urraco put the brand in serious trouble due to the few sales. In fact, more units were made of the enormous Espada than of the modest Urraco. A lesson that Lamborghini learned right away, since it has never again offered vehicles with more than two seats with the exception of the LM002 and Urus. Nevertheless, over the years the Lamborghini Urraco has matured just like the Dino GT4, now being attractive examples of a time when these two great brands tried new paths.
