Lamborghini Urus SE

Impressed by the perfectly refined driving

The Urus SE, a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) that Lamborghini has introduced following the super sports car Revuelto, which recently arrived in Japan, is not just an additional model equipped with a new powertrain. It is the latest updated version of the Urus, boasting extensive improvements that surpass the current Urus S in all aspects, including efficiency, performance, and comfort.

For the test drive, I left home and traveled over 24 hours to the outskirts of Bari in southern Italy, where I could thoroughly test the Urus SE’s true value on public roads and a test course.

The Urus SE is said to have two hearts: an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The first heart, the engine, has not been downsized, but remains the same as before, a 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo unit. Even on its own, it produces a maximum output of 620 PS and a maximum torque of 800 Nm.

The second heart of the car is the electric motor, which is integrated into the 8-speed automatic transmission. Its specifications are 192 PS and 483 Nm. The entire system achieves an extremely powerful output of 800 PS and 950 Nm of maximum torque.

Unleashing the full potential of this performance will result in an impressive 0-100km/h time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 312km/h, which is 0.1 seconds and 7km/h faster than the current Urus S.

Extremely advanced electronic control technology

The 25.9 kWh lithium-ion battery is installed under the luggage compartment floor. When fully charged, it can travel more than 60 km without starting the engine. Even in EV mode, the maximum speed reaches 130 km/h. In addition to external charging, in recharge mode it can also be charged up to 80% using engine output.

In fact, the entire drivetrain has also been revamped this time. The center differential has been replaced from the conventional Torsen type with an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, and an electronically controlled limited slip differential has been installed in the rear. To be honest, if you look at the hardware alone, there’s nothing particularly innovative about it. However, according to Chief Technical Officer Reuven Mohr, they wanted to avoid a complex electronic control system being too intrusive, causing discomfort and an artificial feel to the handling. To that end, the mechanism has been simplified, while the latest integrated control incorporating feedforward is used.

The interior and exterior have also been significantly redesigned. The first thing that catches your eye is the front, where the hood has been extended seamlessly to the tip of the nose, and the headlights have a new DRL signature. This arc-shaped design is said to be inspired by the bull’s tail on the Lamborghini emblem.

Meanwhile, the rear license plate has been moved lower, the area around the diffuser has also been redesigned, and the mesh grille below the taillights is said to be a reference to the Gallardo.

The refined Urus SE’s exquisite interior

The interior, which boasts a cockpit-like feel, has also been updated. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the large 12.3-inch screen located in the center have a screen design and HMI that are the latest models, modeled after the Revuelto. The dashboard has a more horizontal theme, and the central air vent is hexagonal.

While firmly inheriting Lamborghini’s DNA, the car now has a clean, refined look rather than a bold, aggressive one. This is the impression that has been given to the car’s evolution both inside and out.

My first impression behind the wheel was also one of refinement. In hybrid mode, launches are driven by the electric motor, making them stronger and more responsive than before. The engine will kick in when needed, but this time without any unpleasant jolts.

If you press the accelerator further, the car delivers incredible acceleration with a torque that is one step ahead of the competition. However, what impressed me more was the sharp response, and even accelerating through a roundabout in the city was a pleasure. This sensation, which can be described as both dynamic and exhilarating, is surely the result of the electric motor.

Achieves EV driving distance of over 60km

At the Nardo test course where development took place, we were able to try out off-road driving and drifting. What we experienced here was a linear steering feel that made it seem as if the electronic controls were not even present, and if you followed the theory, you could easily achieve a pleasant drift. Of course, it goes without saying that in reality, it is only with the excellent electronic controls that such power and such a large body can be controlled with an unparalleled sense of unity.

Just as advertised, the new model surpasses the previous model in every aspect and loses nothing. This finish is sure to appeal to new users, but it is also likely to encourage those who already own the current model to switch. There is no substitute for the ever-evolving Urus. Test driving the Urus SE gave me a clear sense of Lamborghini’s current momentum.

REPORT/Yasuhisa SHIMASHITA

PHOTO/Lamborghini SpA

MAGAZINE/ GENROQ December 2024 issue

SPECIFICATIONS

Lamborghini Urus SE

Body size: Total length 5123mm, total width 2022mm, total height 1638mm

Wheelbase: 3003mm

Vehicle weight: 2505kg

Engine: V8 DOHC twin turbo

Total displacement: 3996cc

Maximum output: 456kW (620PS) / 6000rpm

Maximum torque: 800Nm (81.6kgm) / 2250-4500rpm

Motor

maximum output: 141kW (192PS) / 3200rpm

Maximum torque: 483Nm (49.3kgm)

Transmission: 8-speed AT

Drive system: AWD

Suspension type: Front and rear multi-link

Brakes: Front and rear ventilated disc Tire

size: Front 285/45ZR21, rear 315/40ZR21

0-100km/h acceleration: 3.4 seconds

Top speed: 312km/h

[Inquiries]

Lamborghini Customer Center

TEL 0120-988-889
https://www.lamborghini.com/jp-en

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Lamborghini Urus SE, the super SUV with the highest performance and environmental friendliness in the class, is now available in Japan

Lamborghini’s first plug-in hybrid super SUV, the Urus SE. The launch event for this super SUV, which just had its world premiere on April 25, 2024, was held early at the Lamborghini Lounge Tokyo in Roppongi, Japan.