Lamborghini Urus SE: Beast Of The Road

It seems that the demand for ultra- high performance luxury SUVs is insatiable. A few examples of these kinds of vehicles include the Aston Martin DBX (697 horsepower), BMW XM Label Red (738 hp), and Ferrari Purosangue (715 hp). Additionally, there are fully electric vehicles like the Rivian RIS (835 hp), Lotus Eletre R (905 hp), and Tesla Model X Plaid (1020 hp). The Lamborghini Urus SE is the newest member of this exclusive power club.

The Lamborghini Super SUV features a new design, optimized aerodynamics, unprecedented on-board technology, and an 800 CV hybrid (789 hp) powertrain. The Urus SE is also a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). Thanks to its “two hearts” (petrol and electric motors), the torque and power values are the highest ever, giving the SE a unique place in its category, while boasting an 80% reduction in emissions.

The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine has been re-engineered to work in perfect synergy with the electric powertrain. The V8 develops 620 CV of power (456 kW) and 800 Nm of driving torque, while the electric motor delivers 192 CV (141 kW) and 483 Nm of torque, reaching a total output of 800 CV (CV is nearly the same as horsepower and stands for Chevaux- Vapeur). A 25.9 kWh lithium-ion battery is situated below the load floor and above the electronically controlled rear differential.

Lamborghini introduced the Urus, the carmaker’s first SUV, back in 2017. As Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini Chairman & CEO, recently commented, “With the Urus, we changed the paradigms of the SUV world, ushering in a new segment. In just a few years, the Urus has become our brand’s bestseller, enabling Lamborghini to attract new customers and strengthen its position in the most important markets. With the Urus SE, we’ve taken another step towards the future in line with our Direzione Cor Tauri strategy.”

The e-motor produces more than 20 per cent of the 789 horsepower in total. Pushing down hard on the accelerator activates the extra e-power, which is carefully vectored side-to-side and front- to-rear, depending on the drive mode, even if the mix is always shifting. When Corsa mode is selected, the most aggressive of the four new Electric Performance Strategies, it will appropriately add additional power to the rear tires while directing exactly the right amount of power to the front wheels to aid in straightening out the acceleration.

Ten dynamic options or modes are now available from the in-dash selector, with EV Drive, Hybrid, Performance, and Recharge being the new additions. Functional in Strada, Sports, Corsa, and Neve, the latter replenishes the battery with new energy up to 80 per cent full. Without a doubt, this Sport Utility Vehicle is impressive to drive as it is to behold.

After eight years, this is the first time the Urus gets a major styling update. New additions include the power-dome bonnet, a redesigned liftgate, more noticeable front and rear hexagon-mesh diffusers, redesigned bumpers, and a selection of more than 100 available paint colors.

The cabin has been updated to highlight Lamborghini’s signature “feel like a pilot” design DNA, featuring new additions throughout the front section of the dashboard and accentuating the lightweight feeling already introduced on the Lamborghini Revuelto PHEV sports car. The interior options include an array of 47 color combinations and four types of embroidery (Q-citura stitching), with the additional potential offered via the Ad Personam program, which enables owners to give their Urus SE one-of-a-kind interiors.

“The Urus SE looks decidedly fresher and more modern,” says chief designer Mitja Borkert, adding, “but it also is a notably more functional piece of kit. For instance, brake cooling was improved by 30 per cent; bigger spoilers and air curtains increase the rear downforce by 35 per cent; and the overall aerodynamic efficiency is up 15 per cent.”

Although the dashboard appears to be fairly similar to the previous generation, the majority of the content and appearance are new. With a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, enhanced voice control, and additional driver-assistance features, Lamborghini has stuck to its row of noticeable toggle switches and caged starter button. The center stack, including a supportive handrail situated beneath the main high-resolution interface, represents a positive ergonomic development inside the cabin.

The Urus SE offers an unparalleled driving experience thanks to the plug-in hybrid system, which helps to improve the vehicle’s performance and dynamics on any surface and in any condition. Meanwhile, EV Drive allows the driver to experience and exploit the car’s electric potential. Especially developed and calibrated for urban driving, the EV mode delivers over 60 km in electric range, as well as reaching a maximum speed of over 130 km/h. Above this speed, the V8 engine automatically supports the electric motor, likewise if the torque demands exceed the maximum available from the electric motor.

As for the ride, special attention was given to the calibration of the air suspension system to highlight each driving mode. For Strada, the new updates improved the already high level of comfort of the pitch. Urus S. Sport mode injects even more fun into driving, enhancing the characteristics of the new eight speed transmission. In Corsa, the mode designed for track driving, the Urus SE expresses its full dynamic potential. This is thanks, in part, to the suspension ECU/electronics, which controls the chassis movements (yaw, roll, and pumping). The microsecond electronic adjustments make the vehicle extremely stable and responsive whether on the track or driving on difficult and low- grip roads.

For those that don’t know, the Urus SE is built on the Volkswagen Group MLB modified Evo platform and shares many components with other Volkswagen Group luxury SUVs, such as the Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne, and Volkswagen Touareg. Still, this newest SE iteration Urus represents a great leap forward in comfort, style, and performance.

Check out the Lamborghini Urus SE at www.lamborghini.com.