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'Super SUV' for SA: All you need to know about the Lamborghini Urus

<i> Image: The Newsmarket </i>
<i> Image: The Newsmarket </i>

 • Urus is first super sport utility vehicle
 • 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine with 478kW/850Nm
 • 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, top speed 305km/h
 • 4WD system with active torque vectoring and four-wheel steering
 • Carbon ceramic brakes, adaptive air suspension
 • Six driving modes 

Sant'Agata Bolognese – Automobili Lamborghini launches its third model, the Lamborghini Urus, which it says is the first Super Sport Utility Vehicle (SSUV).

Lamborghini confirmed to Wheels24 that order books will open in February 2018 for South African customers, with the first vehicles arriving in September 2018.

GALLERY: 2018 Lamborghini Urus

The Urus features a 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine delivering 478kW at 6000 r/min, maximum 6800 r/min, and 850Nm of maximum torque already at 2250r/min. With 121kW/litre the Urus claims one of the highest specific power outputs in its class. 

The Urus accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 12.8 seconds and with a top speed of 305km/h it is the fastest SUV available.

The first customers will take delivery of the new Urus in Spring 2018.

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Why Urus?

As has long been the tradition at Lamborghini, the name Urus is derived from the world of bulls. The Urus, also known as Aurochs, is one of the large, wild ancestors of domestic cattle. The Spanish fighting bull, as bred for the past 500 years, is still very close to the Urus in its appearance.

Engine

The Lamborghini Urus sports a new front-mounted, 4.0-litre petrol V8 twin-turbo aluminum engine. The choice of a turbo engine, the first in a Lamborghini, reflects the desired usage range of the Urus.

Especially in off-road conditions a high level of torque at low revs is necessary and can be guaranteed only by such an engine, providing optimal engine responsiveness and efficiency. Delivering 478kW/850Nm.

The Urus accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds, 0-200km/h in 12.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 305 km/h. Braking is no less impressive; the Urus decelerates from 100km/h to 0 in 33.7m.

Transmission and gearbox 

The Urus features an automatic eight-speed gearbox. The car's four-wheel drive system delivers safe, highly-responsive driving dynamics on every road and surface, in all weather. A Torsen central self-locking differential provides maximum control and agility in all driving conditions, particularly off-road. Torque is split 40/60 to the independent front/rear axle as standard, with a dynamic maximum torque of 70% to the front or 87% to the rear, enhancing traction to the axle with higher ground friction.

The Urus features active torque vectoring via a rear differential, enabling propulsive power to be instantly distributed to each individual wheel for enhanced traction, depending on the driving mode, driving style and the road grip. Torque vectoring also provides additional steering control: less steering effort is required, with enhanced agility allowing higher cornering speeds and a more sporty drive. Yaw motion is controlled, avoiding understeer into corners and tire slip during acceleration.

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Driving modes

In the driving modes Strada, Terra (off-road) and Neve (snow) torque vectoring reduces understeer for safe and simple driving. In Sport and Corsa torque vectoring allows the Urus to become more agile with a greater oversteer character: interaction between the four-wheel drive system and ESC manages oversteer to enable a precise and fun drive. In Sabbia (sand) mode, the system is calibrated to guarantee agility and precision on terrains with reduced grip such as on gravel or sand dunes, making it the ideal mode for off-road fun.

Rear-wheel steering

The Lamborghini Urus adopts the rear-wheel steering introduced in the Aventador S over the whole speed range. 

V8 power

A 360-degree approach to engine, exhaust system and chassis ensures daily usability with the reduction of unwanted mechanical noise, while maintaining the emotive Lamborghini driving experience and inimitable Lamborghini sound.

Depending on the driving mode selected via the Tamburo, the V8 engine has been calibrated to vary the sound and feel of the Urus, from the quietest and most comfortable low-frequency sounds in Strada mode, to a sportier and more exciting Lamborghini sound and feedback in CORSA. A specially-developed exhaust system also customizes the sound output dependent on engine speed: at high acceleration, the Urus produces a more guttural, sporty sound and chassis feedback.

Driving dynamics control

The Tamburo driving mode selector on the center console controls all dynamic vehicle systems and allows the selection of driving dynamics according to surface conditions or drivers' preference, via Strada, Sport and Corsa as well the additional Neve (snow) mode. As an option, two further off-road settings are offered: Terra (off-road) and Sabbia (sand).

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In Strada mode the height adapts according to speed to enhance comfort, while in Sport the Urus lowers to ensure stability and precision at all speeds. In CORSA the vehicle is even more precise and performance oriented with roll at a minimum. In the three off-road modes, NEVE , TERRA and SABBIA higher ground clearance allows obstacles to be safely overcome, with anti-roll bars providing independent asymmetric movement during cornering to ensure optimal traction.

The electromechanical active roll stabilization system is being used for the first time in a Lamborghini. 

Brakes and wheels

The Urus' braking system is commensurate with its super sports car performance, ensuring high thermal resistance and accommodating frequent and heavy braking, even from high speeds and in extreme conditions such as on track or at high altitude. Carbon Ceramic Brakes (CCB) as standard, are the largest and most powerful available, measuring 440 x 40 mm at the front and 370 x 30 mm at the rear. With virtually no brake fade the system optimizes pedal feel, assuring performance and safety in all conditions and environments.

Wheel options range from 21-inch to 24-inch, fitted with a range of summer, winter, all-season, all-terrain and sport tires, all especially developed by Pirelli for the Lamborghini Urus and with widths varying between front and rear to enhance stability and sportive driving behavior.

The Urus interior

The Urus is as much a luxury SUV as the most powerful, with a super sports car dynamism to be enjoyed by both driver and passengers. The interior's design and finish echoes that of the exterior in terms of unmistakable Lamborghini design, colorways and individuality. Inside, the Urus is as clearly a Lamborghini as it is from outside, with a sporty yet luxurious design and finish.

The Urus embodies the Lamborghini principal that a car's design, power and dynamic capabilities means every driver should feel like a pilot. The Lamborghini Urus is technologically advanced, yet intuitively operable. The driver and passengers are all afforded a low but extremely comfortable super sports car seat position, firmly integrated within the cabin and for the driver, every cockpit control within easy reach.

Oriented around the driver, the slim Y design of the dashboard, like double silver wings and connected to the climbing center console, is inspired by the LM002 as well as by current Lamborghini super sports cars. The Lamborghini hexagonal theme echoes throughout the interior, in elements such as air vents and door handles, and even in items such as the cup holders and air bag modules. A multi-function, three-spoke steering wheel incorporates a vibration damper to enhance comfort in all driving conditions. Multifunction switches are intuitively located on the steering wheel to control the Lamborghini Infotainment System (LIS), including car set-up, media, telephone and navigation.

A fully-digital TFT display shows the Urus' main information in an animated 3D representation and is customizable by the driver.

Seating

Its long wheelbase of 3,003 mm and the low seating position of the occupants creates a comfortable and extremely spacious feel. The Urus ensures luxury and roominess for each of its occupants in seats designed specifically for the Urus Super SUV.

The standard front DNA memory sport seats are fully electric, heated and 12-way adjustable. More luxurious, 18-way fully-electric front seats are available as an option, including features such as ventilation and massage. The rear bench seat as standard comes with a movable and folding seat back and ISOFIX fixings. Providing an extremely comfortable five-seat configuration, the ability to fold and move the rear seat offers maximum versatility and increased luggage capacity for daily use. The rear bench seat can be lowered to substantially extend the trunk space from 616 litres to 1596 liters. As an option in conjunction with the fully-electric front seats, a more exclusive two-seat rear layout can be specified providing exceptional rear passenger comfort while reflecting the Urus' sporty character.

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