Lamborghini's super SUV, the Urus, finally debuts | Lamborghini

Lamborghini Urus

Lamborghini's Super SUV, the Urus, Finally Debuts

On December 4th, Italian automaker Lamborghini announced the Urus, a high-performance SUV and their new flagship model. Deliveries are set to begin in spring 2018, with a price of 25.74 million yen in Japan.

Text by HARA Akira

An SUV Style Inheriting Lamborghini's DNA

Unveiled as a concept at the 2012 Beijing Motor ShowLamborghini's SUV, the Urus, has finally been unveiled as a production model.

The Urus is the third model from Lamborghini, following theAventadorand theHuracánIts name originates from the world of fighting bulls, a tradition the company upholds. The Urus, a large wild ox also known as the aurochs, was named because its appearance closely resembled that of the bulls used in Spanish bullfighting.

The new Urus offers a comfortable ride, high ground clearance, and a luxurious interior. It was developed to be a luxury SUV that drivers and passengers alike can enjoy, providing ease of driving in the city, comfortable long-distance journeys, the dynamic performance of a supercar on roads and circuits, and off-road capability in various environments.

The body dimensions are 5,112mm in length, 2,016mm in width, and 1,638mm in height. The wheelbase is a long 3,003mm, and the ground clearance can be adjusted between 158mm and 248mm using the air suspension.

Its distinctive exterior design draws inspiration from the LM002, the brand's first SUV, and its traditional sports models. The golden ratio of two-thirds body to one-third glass is employed. The front, housing the engine, features a hood bulge reminiscent of the Miura and Aventador, along with diagonal hood lines evoking the Countach. Slim Y-shaped headlights and large hexagonal air intakes assert its identity as the latest Lamborghini model.

The side profile is striking with a low roofline like the Huracán, frameless windows, and hexagonal wheel arches inherited from the LM002 and Countach. The steeply raked rear window and flared shoulder lines recall the Countach and Murciélago.

These surfaces not only provide a design instantly recognizable as a Lamborghini supercar but also contribute significantly to aerodynamic performance, reducing drag, optimizing airflow, and cooling the wheelhouses.

Lamborghini Urus

Lamborghini's Super SUV, the Urus, Finally Debuts (2)

A 650hp 4.0-liter V8 Twin-Turbo Paired with the Latest 4WD System

The new aluminum 4.0-liter V8 engine, designed compactly and mounted low in the front, required high torque performance at low RPMs for an off-road capable SUV. Thus, it features turbocharging (twin-turbo) for the first time in a Lamborghini. It produces a maximum output of 650hp at 6,000rpm, peak torque of 850Nm between 2,250-4,500rpm, and a maximum engine speed of 6,800rpm, generating 162.7hp per liter. With a dry weight of 2,200kg, the SUV boasts an excellent power-to-weight ratio of 3.38kg/ps.

This results in breathtaking performance: acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds, 0 to 200km/h in 12.8 seconds, a top speed of 305km/h, and a stopping distance of 33.7 meters from 100km/h. The V8 engine's sound is also tuned to vary from a quiet, comfortable low-frequency hum to an emotionally stirring sound, depending on the driving mode.

The transmission is an 8-speed automatic, and the drivetrain is 4WD. During driving, the "Tambro" (Lamborghini Driving Dynamics Control) selector on the center console allows the driver to choose from four modes based on road conditions and preference: STRADA (comfort), SPORT (lowers the vehicle, enhancing stability and precision at all speeds), CORSA (performance-oriented with minimized body roll), and NEVE (snow). Additionally, two off-road modes, TERRA (off-road) and SABBIA (sand), are available as options. These off-road modes increase the ride height for improved obstacle clearance, and the newly adopted Active Roll Stabilization system balances responsiveness with comfort on rough terrain.

The Urus's 4WD system is state-of-the-art, combining a Torsen center differential with Active Torque Vectoring and rear-wheel steering.

Torque Vectoring, which distributes propulsion to individual wheels based on drive mode, driving style, and grip, also enhances steering control. In STRADA, TERRA, and NEVE modes, it reduces understeer, while in SPORT and CORSA modes, it increases oversteer characteristics, ensuring safe and agile sporty driving. In SABBIA mode, the system ensures agility and precision on low-grip surfaces like gravel and sand dunes.

Furthermore, the rear-wheel steering, also featured in the supercarAventador Sis designed with a maximum rear steering angle difference of +/- 3 degrees. At low speeds, the rear wheels steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels (counter-phase steering), effectively shortening the wheelbase by up to 600mm. This reduces the turning radius and enhances agility and maneuverability. At high speeds, the front and rear wheels steer in the same direction (in-phase steering), effectively lengthening the wheelbase by up to 600mm, improving stability and ride comfort. Lamborghini claims this achieves perfect handling at any speed.

The stopping power is equally impressive. The standard carbon-ceramic brakes feature rotors measuring 440x40mm at the front and 370x30mm at the rear, making them the largest brake discs available on a production vehicle.

Optional wheels range from 21 to 23 inches, and special Pirelli tires, developed exclusively for the Urus, are available in summer, winter, all-season, and sport variants to suit any terrain.

Lamborghini Urus

Lamborghini's Super SUV, the Urus, Finally Debuts (3)

A Luxurious Interior for Four or Five Passengers

Thanks to the long 3,003mm wheelbase and low seating position, the Urus cabin offers a spacious and comfortable environment. The standard front DNA memory sport seats are heated and offer 12-way adjustability. Optional 18-way adjustable luxury sport seats are also available.

The standard 3-seat rear bench seat can be moved and folded, creating a comfortable five-seat configuration and increasing cargo capacity for everyday use. The trunk space is 616 liters as standard. Folding the seats down reveals a generous space of 1,050mm in length and 1,596 liters. Optionally, the rear seat can be specified in a two-seat layout, offering the sporty support and comfort expected of a supercar.

The interior design mirrors the exterior, exuding the sporty luxury characteristic of Lamborghini models. All cockpit controls are within the driver's reach, and the dual upper and lower screens for the infotainment system and connectivity are seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. The slim, Y-shaped dashboard, angled towards the driver, is inspired by the LM002 and other sports models. Lamborghini's signature hexagonal motif is incorporated into elements such as the air vents, door handles, cup holders, and airbag modules.

Only the finest materials are used, including premium leather, Alcantara, aluminum, carbon fiber, and wood. The optional off-road package, which includes TERRA and SABBIA drive modes, adds distinctive metal-reinforced bumpers and underbody protection for off-road driving in snow, forests, and sand dunes.

Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali stated, "The Urus was approached with a clear vision: to infuse Lamborghini's DNA into the most versatile vehicle, the SUV, reaching a level of super SUV previously thought impossible. It is a true Lamborghini in terms of design, performance, driving, and emotion, while also being suitable for various environments. The Urus fits perfectly into the Lamborghini family as a high-performance car. It is the culmination of research to create a new type of fighting bull, opening up new possibilities for our customers and for us as a super SUV."