► Replacement for original Urus, launched in 2017
► Powertrain from hotter Urus Performante
► S and Performante form two-version Urus line-up
This is the new S version of the best-selling Lamborghini ever, the Urus. It replaces the original, and joins the recently unveiled Performante in a two-model line-up that’s expected to gain a hybrid variant in the next couple of years.
The S uses the same powertrain as the Peformante. So compared to the original Urus, power is up by 16bhp to 657bhp, while torque from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 remains 627lb ft.
At 3.5sec it’s 0.1sec quicker to 62mph than the old Urus, but 0.3sec slower than the Performante. Fuel consumption is as grim as the Performante’s at 20mpg, with a CO2 figure of 320g/km.
The key differences between S and Performante are focused on keeping the S relatively sophisticated and luxurious, while the Performante is more about hard charging. So the Performante rides lower, on steel springs rather than the S’s adaptive air suspension. The Performante makes more use of carbonfibre – although the S gets its carbon bonnet – and has different wheels and aerodynamics tweaked for greater downforce.
There are three wheel designs on offer, ranging from 21 to 23in in diameter, and a bigger choice of interior and exterior colour and trim options.
Says Lamborghini chief executive Stephan Winkelmann: ‘The Urus has proven its appeal for those seeking the decisive combination of the sportiest SUV and a Lamborghini to drive every day: the Urus S sits perfectly alongside the new Urus Performante, for those choosing the purest sublimation of performance, luxury and versatility.’
The price also goes up, to around £188,000 on the road, compared to £165k for the outgoing car, although it’s less than the Performante’s £200k+ starting price. Costly, yes, but the Urus has sold more than 20,000 units, and waiting lists are around a year long.
There’s no official confirmation yet, but in line with Lamborghini’s plan to offer an electrified verison of every model, a plug-in-hybrid Urus is expected to join the line-up by 2024.