The nameplate is derived from "urus," the ancestor of modern domestic cattle also known as the aurochs; the Latin term was used to describe wild oxen during the Gallic Wars. Before the vehicle's debut, Lamborghini trademarked the name in 2008, leading to media speculation that it would be applied to the Estoque model.
The Urus concept was first unveiled on 23 April 2012 at the Beijing Auto Show and later appeared at Pebble Beach. This initial concept featured a 5.2-litre V10 engine shared with the Gallardo, producing a theoretical 600 PS (592 hp). While the exterior design was heavily influenced by the Aventador flagship, the production version eventually moved away from the concept's powertrain and exterior styling.
The production Urus was officially unveiled on 4 December 2017 at Lamborghini’s headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese. It was built on the Volkswagen Group MLB Evo platform, sharing components with the Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne, and Volkswagen Touareg. Despite these shared origins, the Urus utilized extensive carbon fibre reinforced polymer to maintain a weight of less than 2,200 kg (4,850 lb), making it lighter than competitors like the BMW X6 M and Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
Deliveries began in early 2018 with an initial sales target of 3,500 units per year. High demand forced an expansion of the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory. By July 2020, the company had produced its 10,000th unit.
The standard Urus is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, a modified version of an Audi power unit assembled in Hungary. It produces 478 kW (641 hp) and 850 N⋅m (627 lb⋅ft) of torque. This engine features new cylinder heads and provides 100 PS more than the Cayenne Turbo. The vehicle utilizes an eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system that normally distributes torque 40 percent to the front and 60 percent to the rear.
Performance figures for the base model include a 0–100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 305 km/h (190 mph). To manage this speed, Lamborghini equipped the Urus with the world's largest set of carbon ceramic disc brakes at the time of release, featuring ten-piston calipers at the front.
The vehicle includes an air suspension system providing up to 250 mm of ground clearance and features several driving modes: Strada (street), Sport, Corsa (track), Terra (dirt), Sabbia (sand), and Neve (snow).
This customization-focused variant offers two-tone aesthetics, including three specific pearl paint options: Verde Mantis, Arancio Borealis, and Giallo Inti. It features 23-inch Taigete alloy wheels and Black Gloss accents on the roof and lower bumpers, though technical specifications remain identical to the standard model.
Unveiled in August 2022, the Performante is 47 kg (104 lb) lighter and produces 657 hp (666 PS). It replaced the air suspension with fixed-height coil springs and removed off-road driving modes in favor of improved downforce and a more rear-biased center differential. It reaches 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. In December 2023, a Performante model was delivered to the Italian State Police for official use.
Revealed in April 2024, the SE is a plug-in hybrid variant. It combines the twin-turbo V8 with an electric system to produce a total of 789 hp (800 PS) and 950 N⋅m of torque. While it is 300 kg heavier than the Urus S, it offers an 80% reduction in environmental impact according to manufacturer claims.
The Urus has been subject to two significant recalls. In November 2020, 2,831 units from the 2019–2020 model years were recalled due to a fire risk involving fuel line quick connectors that could soften under high engine compartment temperatures.
In May 2024, a recall was issued for 2,133 units of the 2023–2024 Urus Performante and Urus S. This involved the hood latch striker rivets; at speeds exceeding 94 mph (151 km/h), airflow could cause the latch to fail, potentially resulting in the hood snapping back against the windscreen or detaching from the vehicle entirely.
The Urus ST-X is a non-street-legal racing variant developed by Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse Division. Unveiled as a concept in 2018, it was designed to meet FIA regulations with a full roll-cage, fire suppression system, and an FT3 fuel tank. It retains the 641 hp output of the standard car but achieves a 25% weight reduction and features hexagonal racing exhausts and 21-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli tires.
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