Lamborghini URUS : The new era of SUVs

Five years after we first saw the concept, the production version of the Lamborghini Urus is here. The Urus is Lamborghini’s first attempt at a modern high-performance crossover, and it’s going to spearhead an entirely new generation of ultimate sports SUVs.

The Lamborghini Urus was unveiled at an event in the Sant’Agata factory last year, and CAR was on hand to cover the new SUV with a sportcar heart. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2018 Lamborghini Urus.

Lamborghini URUS : Price

Expect right-hand drive sales to start in late summer 2018, priced from around £165,000, a whisker above the Huracan sports car’s entry point of £155k.

Lamborghini URUS : Design

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. It makes for a properly roomy cabin for four, and there's a decent, suede-lined 616-litre boot with split-fold seats, too.

Despite the dramatic styling changes, you may - just - detect hints of Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg in the hard points and stance of the new Urus, for they all share the fundamentals of the same group architecture.

Lamborghini URUS : Specifications

• 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

Lamborghini URUS : Performance

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. 

Lamborghini URUS : Driving Modes

• Corsa Track set-up
• Sport Dynamic driving
• Strada Road
• Neve Snow
• Terra Off-road
• Sabbia Sand