Lamborghini has just launched what it claims to be the world’s first Super Sports Utility Vehicle, or SSUV. In essence, the Urus is a mud-plugging four-wheel-drive vehicle that also has the capability to accelerate as quickly as a sports car and reach a ridiculous top speed.
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The Italian manufacturer, based in Sant’ Agata, is more well-known around the world for its ludicrous automotive dream machines than anything else, but this isn’t Lamborghini’s first foray into creating a big off-roader. Back in the 1980s, it made the LM002, which started off life as a failed attempt at making a military vehicle for the US government. After the project was shelved, Lamborghini stuck one of its big V12 engines from a Countach into what was then known as the Cheetah, and the LM002 was born.
The Urus premiered in a big launch event in December 2017, and certain elements of the LM002 immediately became apparent in its design. The most reminiscent feature is the similarly-shaped angular wheel arches finished off with plastic arch moldings. When you step inside the Urus, it’s more akin to the company’s flagship model, the Aventador.
Behind the wheel, you’re able to select one of five different terrain response maps, namely Strada (street), Sport, and Corsa (race), together with the new Neve (snow) and Terra (off-road) maps. Not only do these tweak suspension stiffness and steering feel, but they also affect transmission response, exhaust note and the Urus’ ride height. The maps can be selected via switches that are inspired by the engine controls found on a commercial airliner. The aviation theme apparent throughout the interior continues with a fighter-pilot-style engine start button.
Under the hood, the Urus features a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 that develops a stonking 650 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. This is enough for it to be capable of accelerating to 60 mph from a complete standstill in just 3.6 seconds, and keep on accelerating until the speedometer is reading 190 mph. That’s certainly fast for such a large vehicle!
The car’s power plant is actually the very first turbocharged offering in any of its vehicles to date, and it will be followed by a plug-in hybrid powertrain that will be offered for sale in the near future. This will allow the Urus access to zero-emissions zones that are being implemented in the centers of the world’s big cities.
The brand-new assembly line that has been constructed for the Urus in Sant’Agata, Italy, has already started producing the new model, however the cars rolling off the line at the moment are actually pre-production prototypes that are being sent out for testing all over the world. The first customer cars will be delivered in 2018, and the Urus is expected to have a base price of at least $200,000.
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Images by Lamborghini SpA.
