The Urus is not Lamborghini’s first high-riding vehicle. That title belongs to the LM002, a crazy machine of the late 1980s and early 1990s powered by a Countach V12 engine that was initially intended for military use, but was also available to customers.
In contrast to its spiritual predecessor, the Urus is more refined, full of tech and a heck of a lot faster. Naught to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 3.6 seconds and top speed is 305 km/h (190 mph), courtesy of the 650 PS (641 hp / 478 kW) twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8.
Because it shares its platform and other bits with the Volkswagen Group’s latest large SUVs, the Urus, one could say that it is, essentially, a sportier, more exclusive and more expensive alternative to the likes of the Porsche Cayenne. But is that really the case? Does the Urus have no Lambo DNA running through its veins and can it be considered nothing more than a posher Audi Q8?
Depending on how one looks at it, the answer could be quite tricky. Sure, the basic platform is the same and there are some buttons and knobs inside that will remind enthusiasts of certain Audis. But there are also a lot of Lambo touches pretty much everywhere.
Moreover, this is a Lamborghini that can be used as a daily driver, with enough space at the back for two adult occupants (who might struggle for headroom if they’re tall) and a decent-sized boot.
For a Lamborghini, the suspension is surprisingly comfortable in ‘Strada’ mode, but everything can change at the push of a button, as the Urus was always supposed to be a sporty drive. Also, thanks to clever engineering, the Urus can tackle some arduous terrains, even if it lacks a low-ratio gearbox, which makes it highly versatile, especially for an SUV that comes from an exotic automaker. And it doesn’t get much more exotic than Lamborghini…