Description
The Lamborghini Urraco P 250, introduced in 1972, marked a bold step in Lamborghini’s evolution—a mid-engined 2+2 sports coupe designed to bring the brand’s exotic performance and design flair to a broader audience. Conceived during a period of extraordinary creativity at Sant’Agata Bolognese, the Urraco represented Ferruccio Lamborghini’s ambition to produce a smaller, more affordable car that would sit below the Miura and Espada in the company’s lineup. With its sharp Bertone styling, innovative engineering, and a newly developed V8 engine, the Urraco P 250 stood as a forward-looking statement of Lamborghini’s technological versatility and design maturity.
The project began in the late 1960s as Lamborghini sought to expand its reach beyond the rarefied world of V12 supercars. Rivals like Ferrari and Maserati were introducing compact mid-engine cars such as the Dino 246 GT and the Merak, and Lamborghini needed an answer that combined exotic appeal with everyday usability. Engineering was led by Paolo Stanzani, the same man behind the Miura and the Espada, while design was once again entrusted to Marcello Gandini at Carrozzeria Bertone. The result was a car that fused Lamborghini’s daring spirit with practical proportions and accessible performance.
The Urraco P 250 was powered by an all-new 2.5-litre V8 engine designed in-house at Lamborghini. The unit displaced 2,463 cc and featured a 90-degree aluminium block with single overhead camshafts per cylinder bank and four twin-choke Weber carburetors. It produced 220 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 204 Nm of torque—enough to propel the car to a top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph) and from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in around 6.9 seconds. The engine was compact, light, and positioned transversely behind the cabin, providing ideal weight distribution and a low centre of gravity. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox that was both robust and precise.
The chassis was a semi-monocoque steel design that combined strength with lightness, while the suspension system broke new ground for Lamborghini. It featured MacPherson struts front and rear—an advanced and compact layout that improved handling and allowed for a roomier cabin. Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes provided strong, consistent stopping power. The car’s balanced handling and supple ride made it both engaging and forgiving, qualities that distinguished it from the more demanding Miura.
Marcello Gandini’s design for the Urraco was clean, sharp, and unmistakably modern. The wedge-shaped profile, short overhangs, and distinctive horizontal lines gave the car a purposeful stance that reflected the design trends of the early 1970s. The slatted rear deck covered the mid-mounted engine, while large side intakes hinted at its performance potential. The front end featured pop-up headlights and a broad, low nose with a black grille that framed the Lamborghini emblem. The overall shape anticipated the angular aesthetic that would dominate the decade, influencing not only the later Countach but many other sports cars of the era.
Inside, the Urraco offered a blend of sportiness and practicality. The 2+2 layout provided two sculpted front seats and smaller rear seats suitable for occasional passengers or luggage. The dashboard was driver-focused, with a wide horizontal instrument panel filled with circular gauges and toggle switches. Materials were typically Italian—leather, metal, and textured vinyl—and the cabin conveyed both luxury and simplicity. Visibility was excellent thanks to the expansive glass area, and the car’s relatively compact dimensions made it surprisingly usable in daily driving conditions.
On the road, the Urraco P 250 delivered an engaging, balanced, and responsive driving experience. The V8 engine was eager to rev, its induction note rising smoothly through the gears. The steering was light and direct, and the suspension offered a combination of agility and comfort rare among mid-engined cars of the time. The Urraco felt composed and stable even at high speed, while its chassis was playful and precise through corners. It was less intimidating than a Miura but no less rewarding, offering a more approachable interpretation of Lamborghini performance.
Despite its virtues, the Urraco P 250 faced challenges in production. The early 1970s oil crisis, combined with financial difficulties at Lamborghini, limited output and slowed development. Build quality in early examples was inconsistent, and the company’s small scale meant that deliveries were slow. Over its production run from 1972 to 1976, only about 520 examples of the P 250 were built before it was succeeded by the larger-engined P 300 and P 200 variants.
Although it never achieved the fame of Lamborghini’s V12 models, the Urraco P 250 was an essential part of the marque’s evolution. It demonstrated that Lamborghini could innovate beyond its flagship supercars, creating a car that balanced performance, comfort, and affordability without sacrificing its identity. The Urraco’s engineering innovations—particularly its V8 engine and suspension layout—formed the foundation for later models like the Silhouette and Jalpa.
Today, the Lamborghini Urraco P 250 is recognized as one of the hidden gems of the company’s history. Its combination of timeless Bertone styling, balanced dynamics, and mechanical sophistication make it a rewarding and collectible classic. More than fifty years after its debut, the Urraco still embodies the adventurous spirit of early 1970s Lamborghini—bold, unconventional, and designed for those who sought the thrill of a supercar in a more practical, approachable form. It was Ferruccio Lamborghini’s vision of a driver’s car for the real world: elegant, fast, and unmistakably Italian.