BULL MARKET
Written by Andre James
Photos courtesy of Lamborghini
After making its global debut in December 2017 at the Lamborghini factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, the storied Italian automaker took Urus, its first Super Sport Utility Vehicle, on a whirlwind tour, charging into 114 cities in just four months. From the snowcovered streets of Moscow to the sands of Australia’s Bondi Beach, the roadshow was designed to demonstrate the luxury SUV’s versatility: easy driving in the city, maximum comfort during long journeys, thrilling super sports car dynamics on the road and track, and versatile off-road abilities in a range of environments.
"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 Chief Executive Officer.
In keeping with tradition at Lamborghini, the name Urus is derived from the world of bulls. The Urus, also known as Aurochs, is one of the large, wild ancestors of domestic cattle. The Spanish fighting bull, as bred for the past 500 years, is still very close to the Urus in its appearance.
Lamborghini’s Urus features a compact front-mounted 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo aluminum engine that optimizes the car’s center of gravity. The powerplant strikes an ideal balance between vehicle performance and efficient engine function to deliver one of the highest specific power outputs in its class, and the best weight-to-power ratio. With 650hp at 6,000 rpm, the Urus rockets from 0-62 mph in 3.6-seconds, 0-100 mph in 8.6-seconds, and boasts a top speed of 190 mph. Standard carbon ceramic breaks (the largest ever fitted to a production car) make stop times equally impressive, with deceleration from 60 mph to a standstill in a little more than 110 feet.
The Tamburo driving mode selector on the center console controls all dynamic vehicle systems, and active torque vectoring via a rear differential enables propulsive power to be instantly distributed to each individual wheel for enhanced traction, depending on the driving mode, driving style and the road grip. In the driving modes STRADA, TERRA (off-road) and NEVE (snow) torque vectoring reduces understeer for safe and simple driving. In SPORT and CORSA torque vectoring allows the Urus to become more agile with a greater oversteer character: interaction between the four-wheel drive system and ESC manages oversteer to enable a precise and fun drive. In SABBIA (sand) mode, the system is calibrated to guarantee agility and precision on terrains with reduced grip, making it the ideal mode for off-road fun. Additionally, depending on the driving mode selected, the V8 engine has been calibrated to vary the sound and feel of the Urus, from the quietest and most comfortable low-frequency sounds in STRADA mode, to a sportier and more exciting Lamborghini sound and feedback in CORSA.
Design cues inside and out define the Urus as a member of the Lamborghini family. The exterior adopts the two-thirds body, one third window ratio of Lamborghini super sports cars. The peaked mound of the hood recalls both the Miura and Aventador. LED headlights are designed in the familiar Lamborghini Y shape. The Y-shaped front air intakes, also a feature of the LM002, are detailed with the Italian flag. The rear diffuser is inspired by Lamborghini race cars, with integrated double round exhaust pipes.
Inside, the Urus amply accommodates five occupants in a low but comfortable super sports car seat position. Oriented around the driver, the slim Y design of the dashboard is inspired by the LM002 as well as by current Lamborghini super sports cars. The Lamborghini hexagonal theme echoes throughout the interior, in elements such as air vents and door handles, and even in items such as the cup holders and air bag modules. Myriad customization options are available, from 21” to 23” tires especially developed by Pirelli for the Urus, to 18-way fully-electric front seats with ventilation and massage.
“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 breed 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,” said Domenicali.
Suggested retail price for the 2019 Lamborghini Urus is $200,000.
