Not too long ago, those with some extra spare cash looking for a high riding position
were limited to one single SUV: the Range Rover. But boy, times have changed,
and SUV demand is at an all-time high, rising from 25% to 40% in the four year period
leading up to January 2020 in Britain alone. Up until recently, these types of high-riding
cars were focused on luxury, and were often cumbersome to drive around town, and not all
that fast. When the Lamborghini Urus arrived on the scene in 2018, things were set to change.
Join us in this video as we explore the insane success of the Lamborghini Urus,
and the legacy the Italian exotic car maker has produced which has raised
the standard for everyone else in its wake. Initial sightings of this performance-orientated
SUV date back to early 2012, when Lamborghini decided to tease plans of an
otherworldly crossover. Although almost entirely different to the model we know and love today,
it’s very clearly an inspiration to the years of work dedicated to crafting the Urus.
The concept car’s engine was borrowed from the company’s best-selling sports car, the Gallardo.
Up to 600 horsepower would be available from the 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine,
sending power down through all four wheels. Six years down the line, Lamborghini instead
decided to pull power from a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8. This is no bad thing,
though, because the 650 horsepower engine had also been used in many of the car’s siblings:
the Porsche Cayenne and Panamera, and Bentley Continental and Flying Spur - all belonging to
parent group Volkswagen. It may be tried and tested, but it’s also the first time
the German-owned Italian automaker has used turbocharged power in any of its cars.
Lamborghini also opted for an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox over the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission
it previewed in the concept. ZF’s automatic gearboxes are highly acclaimed for their fast
and smooth gear changes, and outstanding efficiency. It debuted in the 2008-2015
V12-powered BMW 760Li but has since been used in all manner of cars, right down to
the entry-level 1 Series, and in more brands than you can count on your two hands.
As such, the Urus shares more than just its engine with the likes of the Audi Q7 and Q8, Bentley
Bentayga, and even the Volkswagen Touareg. Where it differs from many of these - as well as premium
offerings from outside of the Volkswagen Group like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and BMW X6 M - is
its weight. Thanks partly to its comparatively small dimensions, and partly to its use of
clever materials like carbon fibre-reinforced polymers, it tips the scales at 2.2 tonnes.
All of these result in a 0-62mph sprint time of 3.6 seconds, which is plenty fast enough to
rival dedicated sports cars that aren’t nearly as practical. Stopping power comes in the form
of record-breaking carbon ceramic disc brakes - 440mm at the rear and 370mm up front.
The Urus uses a clever four-wheel-drive system that, in most scenarios, puts 60%
of its power down through the rear wheels for a better and more engaging driving feel. While it’s
not a dedicated off-roader, its ability to send up to 70% to the front and 87% to the rear wheels
does give it a trump card against some other rivals, as does its air suspension
which can provide up to 25cm of ground clearance - 2cm more than the Bentley Bentayga.
Rear-wheel steering helps in the fight against narrow city streets,
allowing the rear wheels to turn in a different direction to the front wheels
for a tighter turning circle. At high speeds, the car cleverly switches to allow all wheels to turn
in the same direction (albeit at a less extreme angle at the rear) for improved agility.
Inside, buyers can choose from a standard-fit three-seat rear bench or two solo sports chairs,
providing even rear-seat guests with a sports-car feel, but it’s only the front seats that feature
heating, ventilation and massage functions. Entertainment comes from a 10.1-inch touchscreen
with voice control, Bluetooth, USB ports and a DVD player. Buyers seeking the highest level of
luxury can even specify a TV tuner, along with a 21-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
While the future of its powertrains is uncertain, all automakers are experiencing increasing
pressure from governments and environmental agencies with regards to emissions, and a thirsty
V8 engine is unlikely to make it into the distant future, with many countries set to ban the sale of
new petrol- and diesel-powered cars by 2030. While a four- or six-cylinder engine might not make the
best pairing for this performance SUV, it could be paired with an electric motor to form a plug-in
hybrid setup: something similar to what we’ve seen with the latest Volkswagen Touareg R.
Since its launch, the Lamborghini Urus has faced stiff competition from a growing list of rivals.
From its own family, it goes head-to-head with the Audi Q8 and the Bentley Bentayga;
the latter carving the pathway for fast, luxurious SUVs two years prior to the Urus’ launch.
Elsewhere, it needs to remain prepared to tackle the BMW X6 M, Maserati Levante and
Aston Martin DBX. The Maserati in particular, while less desirable, still makes for a flashy
exotic car; its 580hp 3.8-litre V8 engine is joined by a pair of 3.0-litre V6s and
a 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid. Regardless of the uncertain future,
thanks to Lamborghini we are beginning to see the dawn of a new era, in which exotic,
performance car makers are turning their attention beyond the traditional 2-seater coupe layout.
To the company’s credit, just as technology filters down from high-end flagship models to
cheaper family versions, its new coupe-esque SUV form factor is beginning to make an appearance in
more affordable models. Many might argue that the Urus pioneered the coupe-like SUV design,
and road-going family cars like Audi’s Q3 Sportback and Q5 Sportback are now being
offered in this slick, aerodynamic shape. Whether you agree or disagree, Lamborghini has
set a new trend in stylish, coupe SUVs with its Urus, and the bodystyle is here to stay.
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