Lamborghini Urus super-SUV revealed

The all-new Urus – described by Lamborghini as a ‘super-SUV’ – was unveiled in Bologna, Italy. Powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, the four-wheel-drive Urus can achieve 0-100kph in 3.6sec, with a top speed of 306kph. It will cost around Rs 1.43 crore in the UK.

Lamborghini chief Stefano Domenicali has insisted that the Italian company’s “visionary” new Urus SUV fits perfectly alongside its line-up of supercars, and its level of performance reflects a machine that “elevates the SUV to a level not previously possible.” He said that the Urus is “a true Lamborghini – in terms of design, performance, driving dynamics and emotion – as well as drivable every day in a range of environments.”

He added: “The Urus fits perfectly within the Lamborghini family as a high-performance car. It is the culmination of intensive development and passionate skill to create a new brand of bull: a super-SUV that transcends the boundaries of expectations and opens the door to new possibilities, for both our brand and our customers.”

The Urus will be built in a new factory at the firm’s Sant’Agata Bolognese base. As a result, Lamborghini’s production output will double to around 7,000 cars per year.

The Urus’s dramatic exterior has been designed to embody Lamborghini’s range of supercars – following the same two-thirds body, one-third window ratio – and the firm says it also contains visual links to the LM002, the off-road SUV Lamborghini produced from 1986 until 1993.

The peaked bonnet is styled on those seen on the Miura and Aventador, while diagonal hood lines, first used on the Countach, also feature. The styling, according to the company, has been honed to maximise the car’s aerodynamic potential, with a front splitter and air intakes to channel air to the underbody.

Lamborghini has stuck with naturally aspirated V10 and V12 engines for its Aventador and Huracán, believing that it adds to the emotional experience of driving a supercar, but has used the front-mounted twin-turbo 4.0-litre petrol powerplant in the Urus.

The reason for this, claims the firm, is that SUVs need the additional low-rev torque, especially when being used off-road. The front-mounted unit produces 650hp at 6,800rpm, and 850Nm of torque between 2,240-4,500rpm. It claims a 0-100kph time of 3.6sec and reaches 200kph in 12.8sec.

Carbon-ceramic brakes – measuring 440x40mm at the front and 370x30mm at the rear – help the Urus to stop from 100kph in 33.7m.

The turbo engine is mounted low in the car to optimise the Urus’ centre of gravity and has been designed with the central turbocharger layout near the combustion chambers to enhance engine response. The twin-scroll turbochargers run in parallel to allow for maximum power when fully loaded, while reducing turbo lag. The unit also features two exhaust flows (which Lambo says eliminate interference in the exhaust gas cycle) and cylinder deactivation to reduce fuel consumption.

The engine’s power is sent through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is electro-hydraulically controlled. The low-gear ratios are set short to provide low-end power, with the high gears set at longer intervals. A specially developed torque converter is used to boost the engine response.

Lamborghini will also add a plug-in hybrid engine option to the Urus at a later stage, enabling zero-emission running – essential to ensure the car conforms to stringent emissions legislation in certain areas of the world.

The four-wheel-drive system on the Urus features a Torsen self-locking differential, with torque split 40:60 to the independent front and rear axles, respectively. The system can send a maximum of 70 percent torque to the front wheels, or 87 percent to the rear, depending on demands. The rear differential features active torque vectoring, which delivers power to each wheel according to the driving mode, style and grip levels.

The rear-wheel-steering system from the Aventador S has been carried over to the Urus, and can vary the rear steering angle by three degrees in either direction. It is set to use counter-phase steering at low speeds for increased manoeuvrability and in-phase steering at higher speeds for increased stability.

The Urus is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo platform that has also been used for the Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7. The SUV is 5,112mm long, 2,016mm wide and 1,638mm high, with a wheelbase of 3,003mm. Lamborghini says the machine has a kerb weight of less than 2,200kg, with the chassis using aluminium and steel to maximise stiffness. There are aluminium doors, and torsional beams replacing the traditional C-pillar. Adaptive air suspension allows the Urus to be raised from 158mm to 248mm to suit conditions, and is also adjusted by the various drive modes. Wheel options extend from 21- to 23-inch rims and Pirelli has developed a range of tyres especially for the super-SUV.

The Urus features up to six drive modes, designed to balance the daily usability required from an SUV with the performance expected of a Lamborghini, selected via the centre console ‘Tamburo’. Strada mode quietens the engine and calms the driving dynamics. Selecting Sport mode lowers the Urus for improved stability, while the top Corsa mode offers the most performance-focused drive.

There are also Neve (snow) and optional Terra (off-road) and Sabbia (sand) modes, which all raise the chassis to increase ground clearance, and utilise an electromechanical active roll stabilisation system to smooth the ride. There is also a fully customisable drive mode called Ego.The specially tuned damper valves are set to continually adjust to the conditions, hardening up when cornering and softening up on straights.

Lamborghini insists the Urus is as much about luxury as performance, reflected in an interior design that melds some of the firm’s traditional features with premium SUV elements.

The dashboard’s Y-design is oriented around the driver. Matching current models, the Urus dash also features numerous hexagonal elements, including the air vents and cupholders. The three-spoke steering wheel features vibration damping and there is a customisable TFT driver information display and the latest Lamborghini Infotainment System.

The driver and front passenger get 12-way adjustable heated electric seats, with 18-way adjustable front seats optional. The rear features either a three-seat bench with Isofix points or, as an option, two seats. The Urus has a boot with a 616-litre capacity, which can be extended by folding down the rear of the bench seats.

As with all Lamborghini models, the Urus name is derived from bulls. Urus (alternately known as Aurochs) are extinct wild ancestors of domestic cattle.

Lamborghini Urus image gallery