The Urus SE Is A Wild Performance SUV

THE GENRE-BENDING URUS WASN’T THE FIRST attempt by Lamborghini at making an SUV.

The history books point at the massive LM002, which was nicknamed ‘Rambo Lambo’ thanks to owners like actor Sylvester Stallone. The original LM002 was a no compromise beast designed by Lamborghini to be as bonkers as the Countach. Fitted with the same V12, while blessed with an eccentric personality. It was a wild beast and unlike any other SUV it was sought after by collectors because of its exclusivity.

Years later, under new owners, the flourishing Lamborghini brand unleashed the Urus and it quickly became a huge success as it opened doors to new markets. We love SUVs and when you slap a Lamborghini badge on, it’s even better. However, the Urus wasn’t a garden variety crossover with a raging Bull logo strapped on as it was the real deal with sharpened dynamics plus a fire breathing V8.

That said, following that up seemed an arduous task but the folks at Sant’Agata have conjured up the Urus SE. It’s an all-new model that turns up the wick with more power, sharper looks and a more environmentally conscious powertrain. However, Lamborghini purists need not be angered as the Urus SE now makes even more power than before, at a faintly ridiculous 800 bhp with being a plug in hybrid.

There has been no downsizing, with the 611 bhp twin turbo V8 still doing duty while an electric motor joins the party with an additional 189 horsepower. As a result, the performance figures are shocking. The 2.5 tonne Urus SE races to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds. This means the Urus SE uses electrification for the purpose of sheer speed rather than anything else.

However, a tinge of environmental consciousness has been added in with its ability to potter around at low speeds in silence since the electric motor enables for less loud starts or even not waking up the entire neighbourhood.

The interior meanwhile is edgy and shaped like a hexagon. There are plenty of physical buttons that retain their tactile feel. There is a larger touchscreen, but it blends in with the multiple luxury features that have been generously added in.

Crucially, the Urus SE has an ample boot capacity and enough room at the back for the lucky passengers to be driven around at F1 speeds while being bathed in carbon fibre and Alcantara.

Priced at R4.57 crore, the Urus SE now has a wider array of talents, especially with the plug-in hybrid powertrain that enables it to be a more politically correct automobile without sacrificing its brand ethos.

At heart, the Urus SE is still a wild performance SUV with a penchant for devouring corners and it continues to carry forward the legacy of the fire breathing LM002.