By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica

(November 17, 2020) Riding the wave of an SUV explosion, Lamborghini — the maker of some of the world’s most extravagant supercars — brings the Urus, a large five-door family car with legitimate off-road capability to go along with credentials as one of the world’s fastest SUVs.

Lamborghini is owned by the Volkswagen Group that includes Porsche, Bentley, Bugatti, and Audi in the conglomerate. With a nearly 60-year history, Lamborghini remains a tiny automaker with annual sales of just 3,500 units. They hope to double that number with the arrival of Urus.

Unlike its supercar siblings Aventador and Huracan, powered by psychopathic V10 or V12 powerplants, the Urus is propelled by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing a massive 641 horsepower along with 627 lb-ft torque (from just 2,250 rpm). With rapid acceleration, it reaches 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and 100 mph in just 7.6 seconds with a limited top speed of 190 mph. That, in spite of its hefty curb weight of over 2.5 tons.

Uris is a front-engine, all-wheel drive with four-wheel steering, five-passenger SUV that’s roomy inside despite it sloping roofline. Slip behind the wheel and you’ll sit low and snuggle inside the gorgeous cockpit that’s pure exotic theater, in seats that are incredible instruments of comfort and support. You’re surrounded by state-of-the-art high-tech delivered via a three-screen architecture lifted from the Audi A8 that surpasses whatever competitors are offering. The switchgear has a delightful chunky, industrial design and feel, especially the starter button under a red flip cover and the gear selector that simulates a jet’s throttle. Ditto the Anima lever to toggle through the various driving modes: Strada, Sport and Corsa. Other modes are reserved for off-road hijinks: Terra, Sabbia, Neve (gravel, sand, snow)

On the driving circuit, the experience is beyond belief, defying this high-profiled 2.5-ton family SUV that defies physics with masterful handling as it flings out of corners fast and with a flat horizon, no noticeable body lean or effort thanks to the active roll stability control and combination of torque vectoring and a center Torsen differential.



Overall, any thirst you might have for an SUV with supercar powers, state-of -the art technology, and engineering achievement is sure to be quenched with an ultimate connection between car and driver with the Lamborghini Urus — a blend of X-Wing fighter and family hauler. But all this goodness comes at a price that few could ever afford; you could buy a Range Rover for daily use and a Porsche 911 for the weekends for the price of the Urus.

Vital Stats

Base Price:  $222,004
Price as Tested: $249,999
Engine/Transmission: 4.0-liter 641-hp twin-turbo V8 with 627 lb-ft torque paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel Economy: 12, 17, 14 mpg – City, Highway, Combined
Seating: 4 or 5

Where Built:  Sant”Agata Bolognese, Italy

Fab Features:
Exhilarating supercar acceleration
All-wheel drive with four-wheel steering
Unparalleled design, luxury, performance and utility