(Photo: Lamborghini)
Naysayers who balked at the idea of a Lamborghini SUV will be surprised – the Super SUV Urus, a modern high-performance crossover, is possibly the sleekest and fastest SUV in the world yet.
A radical departure from the brand’s flagship low-slung sports cars, the new Urus finally came to fruition ever since we saw the concept at the Beijing show in 2012. The Italian automakers claim that the car has a ‘multi-faceted personality’: it’s elegant while mixing in a good deal of Lamborghini’s traditional sports car cues, and it can equally provide an exhilarating super sports experience. Here’s a quick primer before you get behind the wheel:
1. The name Urus is derived from the world of bulls
Lamborghini has a long tradition of naming its vehicles after famous bulls, and it continues with the new Urus. Also known as Aurochs, Urus is one of the large, wild ancestors of domestic cattle. The Spanish fighting bull, having bred for the past 500 years, is the closest to the Urus in terms of its appearance.
2. This is one screaming SUV
Powered with front-mounted, 4.0L petrol V8 twin-turbo aluminium engine, Urus produces 650 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 850 Nm of torque at 2,250 rpm (that’s 162.7 horsepower per litre, mind you). Did we mention that it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds; 0-200 km/h in 12.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 350 km/h?
3. The Tamburo central drive mode controller
Controlling all the dynamic vehicle systems on the centre console is the Tamburo, which allows drivers to manoeuvre in different surface conditions. Most of the modes are in Italian but some are pretty much self-explanatory: Strada (street), Terra (land, or off-roading), Neve (snow), Sabbia (sand), Sport and Corsa (race). The Ego mode enables you to rewrite the vehicle’s steering, suspension and traction settings to suit your own preference.
4. A beauty inside and out
The Urus bears some of the unique hallmarks of the LMOO2 as well as the super sports cars that are essential to the Lamborghini heritage. The short overhangs communicate its strength, muscularity, dynamically assertive character and commanding road position. The single-line silhouette sports a dynamic coupé-style fly line, accented by the frameless doors.
5. Elegance with cutting edge technology
The interior’s finishing is unmistakably Lamborghini – it makes every driver feel a little like a pilot. The low yet comfortable seating position makes every cockpit control within easy reach. The slim Y design of the dashboard, like double silver wings and connected to the climbing centre console, is inspired by the LMOO2 as well as by current Lamborghini super sports cars. Entertainment-wise, the Urus comes with a LIS touchscreen infotainment display across two screens. The Lamborghini Smartphone Interface (LSI) on the other hand integrates innovative connected voice control, and is able to recognise natural-dialogue voice commands to manage functions such as music, phone calls and text-messaging.
Check out the Malaysian debut at ALYA Sime Darby showroom:
Prices are estimated at RM1 million excluding taxes, options and on-road costs according to local Lamborghini distributor JH Italia.
