A Lamborghini Sport-Utility Vehicle?
When Porsche introduced the Cayenne SUV, enthusiasts though it sacrilege for a sports car maker to build a sport ute. Then Bentley did the same with the Bentayga; it was only a matter of time before other exotic car companies followed suit, and Lamborghini has done that with the brand-new Urus.
Super SUV
“The Lamborghini Urus is a visionary approach based on the infusion of Lamborghini DNA into the most versatile vehicle, the SUV. The Urus elevates the SUV to a level not previously possible, the Super SUV. It is a true Lamborghini in terms of design, performance, driving dynamics and emotion as well as drivable every day in a range of environments,” said Stefano Domenicali, Automobili Lamborghini chairman and CEO.
Successor to the LM002
Although adding the Urus to the Lamborghini lineup might seem out of place, it isn’t the first sport-utility vehicle from the Italian automaker. The Lamborghini LM002 debuted at the 1982 Geneva Motor Show, and the angular SUV eventually reached production in the late 1980s. The V12-powered LM002 is a true off-roader with big, custom Pirelli tires and at the time it was unlike anything else on the road (other than the occasional Humvee). Only about 300 LM002s were built, and 25 years separate the end of its production and the introduction of the Urus.
Sleek Styling
The LM002 may be the spiritual predecessor to the Urus, but the vehicles couldn’t be more different. Where the LM002 could be best described as a brute, the Urus is streamlined with sleek lines that owe props to the Huracan and Aventador. The front end is unique to Urus; however, the taillights and quad exhaust also fit with the look of the brand’s two supercars.
Borrowed from the Original
Still, a few styling cues were taken from the original LM002 SUV and incorporated into the Urus, such as hexagonal wheel arches and the small triangular air ducts on the front quarter panels.
Twin-Turbo V8
While styling is often what sells cars, the first question most will ask of a Lamborghini SUV will be “How much horsepower?” The answer is a satisfying 650 ponies generated by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. There’s also 627 lb-ft of torque at a low 2250 rpm. The leap to 100 km/h (62 mph) happens in a supercar-like 3.6 seconds. It takes a mere 12.8 seconds to reach 124 mph, and Lamborghini claims the Urus has a top speed of almost 190 mph.
Four-Wheel Drive
Power gets delivered to tarmac or dirt via a custom 4-wheel drive system with active torque vectoring as well as 4-wheel steering. Adaptive air suspension and active roll stabilization work in concert with carbon ceramic brakes to deliver superior on-road handling.
Drive Modes
The Urus driver can choose between six modes: Strada (road), Sport and Corsa (race) for pavement, with Sabbia (sand), Terra (dirt) and Neve (snow) for other surfaces. Although the sleek SUV does have off-road capability, it will likely be spotted cruising Beverly Hills rather than tackling the Rubicon Trail.
Interior
Inside, Urus feels high tech with a large touchscreen display in the center of the dashboard as well as a second display for climate control functions. The digital instrument panel can also be configured for multiple views. As in the Huracan, the start button is protected by a red cover, so the action of starting Urus is a bit like launching a missile or firing up a fighter jet — an apt metaphor for a Lambo SUV.
Seating for Four
Considering Lamborghini’s exclusive lineup of 2-seat sports cars, the standout feature of Urus might be the rear doors and rear seats. As the only 4-seater in Lamborghini’s lineup, this may be one of the biggest selling points for the new model. All four seating positions are power-adjustable buckets, and in true SUV style cupholders grace both front and rear seating areas.
Cargo Space
The Urus may have the performance of a supercar, but it also has the cargo-carrying ability of a crossover. With ample space for luggage and other cargo, Urus would function quite well as family transportation — albeit very fast transportation.
Coming Soon
Urus is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. this summer with a starting MSRP of $200,000.
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