Five years after showing the concept car bearing the same name, the production version of the Lamborghini Urus has finally been unveiled. It’s the supercar maker’s first attempt at a modern high-performance crossover and spearheads a new generation of ultimate sports SUVs.
The Urus was unveiled at an event in the Sant’Agata factory and CAR was on hand to meet its makers. Expect right-hand drive sales to start in 2018, priced from around $222,387, a whisker above the Huracan sports car’s entry point of $208,909.
The Lamborghini Of SUVs
The new Urus is a radical departure for a brand better known for low-slung sports cars. This is, arguably, a high-slung sports car — the wedge and angular ostentation of Lambokind transferred to the taller, tip-toe look of the crossover genre.
Underpinning it all is the Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo platform, used here in longer-wheelbase spec as seen in sister off-roader the Bentley Bentayga.
Despite the dramatic styling changes, you may — just — detect hints of Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenneand VW Touareg in the hard points and stance of the new Urus, for they all share the fundamentals of the same group architecture.
This post was written by Tim Pollard. It originally appeared on our sister site, Car Magazine.
Lead image via Getty.
See more pics and information about the Lamborghini Urus price, specs and other details.
1 of 4
Image via Getty
But The Lamborghini Urus Is Faster, Right?
You bet. The launch car uses a familiar group 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8, with some pretty lush Lambo performance credentials. It pips the top speed of its in-house Bentayga rival by the thinnest of 3mph margins:
- Layout: 90deg V8, 32 valves, twin turbocharging
- Capacity: 3996cc
- Power: 641bhp @ 6000rpm
- Torque: 627lb ft @ 2250-4500rpm
- Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
- Top Speed: 189mph
- 0-62mph: 3.6sec
- 0-124mph: (0-200kmh) 12.8sec
- Economy, Emissions: Not yet calibrated
Yes, you read that right. This lumbering Lamborghini SUV is as quick as the Huracan two-door in most measures — even if it’s unlikely to compete with its shrieking V10 howl.
Braking is provided by ceramic rotors front and rear, measuring a whopping 440mm in diameter on the front axle. Engineers quote a 62-0mph stopping distance of 33.7 meters.
2 of 4
Image via Getty
Won’t It Handle Like A Roly-Poly Thing In Corners, Though?
The blown V8’s thrust is tamed here by the most sophisticated all-wheel drive system yet seen on a production car wearing the raging bull badge.
Drive is apportioned to all four wheels via a central Torsen differential splitting torque front and rear, while an active rear diff with torque vectoring ability shuffles drive from left to right. Engineering chiefs are confident the Urus behaves more like a rear-wheel drive car than the occasionally dull all-paw machines produced by parent company Audi.
Tellingly, the Urus sports rear-wheel steering to lend the Urus an agility that belies its size (this is a big car, at 5112mm long and 2016mm wide). The rear wheels steer by up to 3deg to assist with agility and manoeuvring, depending on how fast you’re going.
This is no lightweight: the launch model weighs a stout 2200kg, despite extensive use of aluminium and lightweight steel throughout.
3 of 4
Image via Getty
Will The Urus Go Off Road?
C’mon! Do you really think customers are going to risk getting their 23-inch alloy wheels muddy on a regular basis? Mind you, if they do venture off the beaten track, they’ll probably be surprised just how far the Urus will go.
Adjustable air suspension provides 9cm of extra ground clearance when set in off-road mode, rising to 248mm clambering height when prepped for off-roading duties.
4 of 4
Image via Getty
New Drive Modes In The Lambo Urus Cabin
Worth noting inside is the new Tamburo driving dynamics selector, letting owners program the car’s engine, transmission and traction management systems in one of the following modes:
- Corsa: Track Set-Up
- Sport: Dynamic Driving
- Strada: Road
- Neve: Snow
- Terra: Off-Road
- Sabbia: Sand
The system will tailor the air suspension and electromechanical anti-roll bars — the first application in a Lamborghini — to make sure the Urus is set up for any which condition.
