Prior Convictions: Urus looming
Lamborghini has been industrially previewing its new SUV, which is apparently attempting to be all things to all men
Lamborghini says the new Urus will be 'the most versatile Lamborghini for everyday driving in a range of environments'. Which, no, I don't think is particularly easy to understand, either - but I think means: it's rather capable, everywhere.
It's based on the same MLB evo platform as the Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Panamera, sensibly, I suppose, because what with Lamborghini being a member of VW Group, what else would it be?
Which is where things will get interesting. Bentley tried to give the Bentayga one of the hardest briefs in the motor industry: be a capable off-roader that's able to tow a big weight one minute, and be a luxury car - and lightly sporting with it - not even at the next minute, but at precisely the same time.
It's possible that Lamborghini is asking more of this car again. Some of the luxury will inevitably go - hence the kerb weight should be lighter than the Bentley's, which will help things, I'm sure - but the track performance will, no question, be turned up.
The Urus also gets a twin-turbocharged 4.0 V8 petrol engine, because, it says, big SUVs suit turbo engines but also more likely because that platform was never meant to house Lamborghini's naturally-aspirated V10 or V12 - sadly, but inevitably. Anyway, it'll make around 650hp, by all accounts.
Which is where I'm torn. In a way, I don't feel that I should like a car that tries to do both of these things to such high levels, because ultimately, it's absurd, isn't it? These things are the absolute extreme ends of the automotive spectrum. Why make a 2.3-tonne car and make it drive a) up a sand dune and yet also b) around a race track? The same tyres aren't suitable for both. The same body height isn't suitable for both.
And why the heck would you want car that can do all of those things, anyway? It'll never be as good as anything that's designed to do each one even half properly. It's a patently, blatantly, shamelessly ridiculous and, ultimately, completely pointless idea. I prefer the Audi SQ7 to the Bentley Bentayga for precisely that reason: it's designed to do fewer things, and therefore feels better at those it's set up for.
And yet, here I am, at the same time, thinking: well, why the hell not?
[Spyshots: SB Medien]
My belief, and I'm happy to be proved wrong, is that the vast majority want a big, impressive "look-at-me" kind of a car with a prestige badge on it. And, let's face it, if you can have one with a Lamborghini, Maserati or Bentley badge on then that's as "prestige" as any road car is likely to get (other brands are available).
The proof seems to be in how many DON'T have towbars fitted, or run 20"+ wheels and road tyres.
If I was in this rarefied, £100,000+ market I wouldn't care less about off road or track ability: if I did I'd by a proper 4x4 / track car.
The same way people spend shedloads for a car that'll do over 200mph....and have the quality of ride of an S class...with all mod-tech stuff with aircon and leather....
If you like extreme hyper cars you won't care how much it costs
If you like extreme SUVs same applies...
I think...
It is just going to be another VAG product where the 4.0 V8 pops up again (not that it is a bad engine, but is just nothing special considering this is a Lambo). Even if they say otherwise how can engine have exactly the same capacity and setup, coincidence? Bo**ocks.
Also I think the Urus struggles with the very same issue as Cayenne in that it tries to integrate the design elements of its sister cars in the range and just looks frankly odd.
If think you’re right, no one needs a car that goes 200mph round the ring and will green lane/go over sand dunes. In fact I’m not sure anyone even wants a car that does all that let alone needs it.
Lamborghini like all almost every other brand of super car, realises that a good number of their customers have other cars that they use more frequently than their Hurracans or their Aventadors. I reckon most of those people’s daily driver is a very expensive SUV. Lambo probably agree and would rather those customers bought one with a bull on the front than a Range Rover SVR/SVA, Bentayga, Cayenne Turbo S etc.
They’ll sell loads IMHO.
If Lamborghini wanted to trade on its 4x4 "history" in the LM002 they should have given it a dramatic engine - at least the LM002 had the countach engine in it. This will always be an "imagine it with a v10" car for me.
But it's completely irrelevant as the most water it comes into contact is washing my hands and I'm usually late so it doesn't matter how accurate it is.
Yet it looks good and it's nice to know it can do those things
Personally I hope Lamborghini do a limited mad run in the future and manage to fit in the V12, that would be great!
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Also if a car is designed to go 200mph, you know it will be very good at 70mph.
Will be bloody spectacular though.It’s almost contemptuous that they think customers are happy to have the same chassis, suspension, engine, gearbox etc just packaged in different body styles with different states of tune at this end of the market.
Clearly they’re correct though - just leaves me worrying that Lamborghini therefore become the Seat brand of large SUV...
it will have engine/exhaust modes to annoy and excite the public in equal measure
It's a VAG product in a dress and those that don't care about the lack of depth of experience will buy it in their droves.
Will it have any oily bits made in Italy? or is it literally a Seat/Skoda/VW/Audi/Porsche/Bentley.....
Perhaps that is the cynic in me, but the fact that it 'can' offroad and 'can' drive around a track is all marketing hyperbole. It will almost certainly never do those things, in the same way most Range Rovers are used to ferry neon orange people from place to place in our fair capital.
Pointless marketing rubbish to eek a little more profit out of the same platform that they've developed.
Looks daft, premise is daft and most certainly shouldn't be built.
But it's completely irrelevant as the most water it comes into contact is washing my hands and I'm usually late so it doesn't matter how accurate it is.
Yet it looks good and it's nice to know it can do those things
Personally I hope Lamborghini do a limited mad run in the future and manage to fit in the V12, that would be great!
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