For Lamborghini, trying its hand at an SUV was always going to be a risky business. After all, it’s been 33 long years since the LM002 rolled off of the production ramp in Bologna.
The concept of a supersport SUV has been rather uncharted territory, and questions were always going to be raised about whether Lamborghini – and its first turbocharged engine – was going to be able to inject that same supercar emotion into an SUV that is just shy of 2.2 metric tons. The answer, in short, is yes.
The twin-turbo-assisted 4-liter V8 engine develops 650ps at the 6,800rpm redline and a massive 850Nm of torque from just 2,250rpm, and you feel all of that power. Despite its substantial size and curb weight, the Urus is brutally quick, hitting 100km/h in 3.2 seconds, 200km/h in 12.8 seconds, and then on to a top speed of 305km/h.
Yet, during normal driving the engine is subtle and the Urus is capable of being restrained. There are none of the minor annoyances that can come with using a Lambo for everyday driving. Steering is light, the SUV is easy to maneuver, and you can just about hear the V8 rumbling away in the background.
But that completely changes when in Sport or Corsa modes. Accelerate and all eight cylinders bang and crack on the overrun, constantly reminding you that you are sitting behind the wheel of one of Bologna’s finest. Yes, sound augmentation helps. A symposer boosts the natural frequencies of the intake system, but it’s very easy to forget about that.
If you’re buying a Lamborghini, emissions and fuel consumption aren’t likely to be the first things on your mind. And that’s a good thing – emitting 325g/km and averaging 12.7 l/100km (22.2mpg), its footprint isn’t the cleanest. But as with any of the Urus’s very minor flaws, you’ll happily ignore it when you hear the V8 pop.