Lamborghini has given its Urus SUV a jolt of electricity, and the result, according to the Italian manufacturer, is the fastest production SUV in the world. The new Urus SE is a plug-in hybrid — a first for the brand — and it has effectively replaced the pure-petrol model entirely.

The numbers are startling. Pairing a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine with an electric boost gives the Urus SE a combined 800bhp. That is enough to propel it from 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 194mph, putting it firmly in the same bracket as rivals such as the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Ferrari Purosangue, Audi RS Q8, Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and Bentley Bentayga — the last two sharing some underlying Volkswagen Group technology with the Lamborghini, despite the brand's insistence on its own distinct engineering. Even Porsche's all-electric Cayenne Turbo isn't dramatically quicker, suggesting the segment is bumping up against the practical limits of physics for vehicles this size. Lamborghini has already teased an even faster Performante version due next year, built with more carbon fibre, and likely to cost well over £300,000.

Yet speed is only part of the story. Despite weighing two and a half tonnes, the Urus SE can run in pure-electric mode for around 35 miles, emitting just 51g/km of CO2 in that setting — turning it into a near-silent luxury cruiser. The reviewer even used one as a wedding car, praising its easy entry and exit compared with a traditional limousine. In its standard hybrid mode, it drives with the docility of a Toyota Prius, albeit one that never lets you forget its bulk. Drivers can also select different "Anima" modes — Strada for road, Corsa for track, Sabbia for sand, Terra for light off-roading, and Neve for snow.

The Urus name nods to the extinct aurochs, continuing Lamborghini's tradition of naming cars after fighting bulls. Styling-wise, the hybrid versions get a subtle front and rear refresh, though the reviewer felt Lamborghini missed a chance to give the face more character, calling the current look reminiscent of "someone forgot to fit the grille." Still, compared with the more restrained Bentayga, Cullinan or Cayenne, the Urus's aggressive lines were judged more successful. New colour options, including a shade called "viola," add to its distinctive presence. Priced at around a quarter of a million pounds, the verdict was that it's worth every penny.

Source: The Independent

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