Enthüllt: Der neue Lamborghini Urus SE – Ein Hybrid, der Traditionen bricht

Lamborghini Urus SE (2024): Unbekannte Fakten über den neuen Hybrid

Mitja Borkert, der Chefdesigner, und der Entwicklungsleiter Rouven Mohr erläutern Details

Für eine Marke, die stark auf ihre emotionale Wirkung setzt, ist es eine ziemlich radikale Veränderung. Lamborghini verabschiedet sich bei seinem Spitzenreitermodell von den bisherigen beiden V8-Benzinmotoren und führt stattdessen eine Hybridversion ein.

Just to make things clear: the Urus is now available exclusively as an electrified model. That's a concept which might be hard to sell to the traditional Lamborghini enthusiast. Therefore, a detailed explanation is in order. In light of that, we were invited to the German debut of the latest electric bull in Kolbermoor. Present were Lamborghini royalty, including the Head of Design Mitja Borkert and Head of Development Rouven Mohr. Luckily for us, the language of choice at Lamborghini is German, at least as far as these two gentlemen are concerned. They had plenty to share and we're here to summarize the key points of the new Urus SE Plug-in Hybrid for you.

1. The internal combustion engine remains supreme, with no reduction in size

The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine is here to stay, despite undergoing significant modifications beyond its basic structure. Newly designed cylinder heads, turbochargers, and intake systems, along with updated software, have been implemented. The electric motor has been utilized to fine-tune the throttle response, allowing the turbochargers to be more high-revving. It now produces 620 horsepower and 800 Newton-meters of torque, while the electric motor contributes an additional 192 horsepower and 483 Newton-meters. The combined output reaches 800 horsepower and 950 Newton-meters, marking an increase of 134 horsepower and 100 Newton-meters over the previous Urus S model. Both the electric motor and the battery are standard group components, shared with the likes of Porsche Cayenne and similar models.

Rouven Mohr emphasizes that the new power unit delivers improved performance across all RPM ranges compared to the previous one. He also points out that a significant amount of application work has gone into utilizing the electric motor to enhance the vehicle's responsiveness, making it more agile and quick to react.

In 2022, Rouven Mohr joined Lamborghini as the head of development after leaving Audi.

2. The aim was to enhance driving performance

"Reducing CO2 emissions and increasing the electric range are popular goals, especially since we as a company are dedicated to decreasing our carbon footprint. However, the primary objective with this vehicle was to improve its driving capabilities," Mohr states. The lead developer adds, "Some competitors have taken the lead in this area, and we wanted to make a clear statement with this car. It outperforms its predecessor in every aspect, with faster and more efficient results."

Expressed numerically, this translates to: acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds (Urus S: 3.5 seconds), from 0 to 200 km/h in 11.2 seconds (Urus S: 12.5 seconds), and a top speed of 312 km/h (Urus S: 305 km/h). According to Lamborghini, these figures make the Urus SE the fastest production vehicle in its category.

3. The weight increases by 180 kilograms

Although the inclusion of a battery and electric motor typically adds a significant amount of weight to a vehicle, certain countermeasures have been taken to ensure that the car gains "only" 180 kilograms more than the Urus S. Mohr refers to it as the "lightest hybrid vehicle in its class". Still, the car weighs a hefty 2.5 tons unladen, making the Urus seem almost lightweight compared to a BMW XM, which weighs 2.8 tons.

4. Lamborghini advises against depleting the battery

It's somewhat peculiar, considering the emphasis on weight reduction: the battery's capacity is quite substantial at 25.9 kWh. However, the electric range is relatively modest, at about 60 kilometers. It seems that Lamborghini doesn't intend for the Urus driver to rely solely on electric power. Stricter regulations necessitate the hybrid model, which now focuses primarily on enhancing performance.

Lamborghini's approach to hybrid technology means you never really deplete the battery. According to Mohr, their in-house applications and operational tactics differ from those of other brands. This is crucial for maintaining consistent performance levels. He believes there's nothing worse than a vehicle that performs optimally with a full battery but feels broken when the battery is empty.

Now, there are two charging methods available, out of which Mohr clearly favors the Recharge mode. In this mode, the battery is charged while driving. To charge it up, one would need to take the Urus for a decent drive, which would naturally be quicker on the highway. At a Wallbox, the Urus SE charges at 7.2 kW. The reason it doesn't charge at 11 kW is due to weight considerations. An 11 kW onboard charger would have added an extra 10 kilograms.

4. The new all-wheel drive is set to be a pivotal feature

"The real game changer with this car is that we're completely overhauling the philosophy behind the all-wheel-drive system," states Rouven Mohr. Until now, a mechanical all-wheel drive with a Torsen-based center differential was used, but the Urus SE marks Lamborghini's first foray into a hang-on based all-wheel concept, paired with an electronically controlled rear-axle differential lock.

According to Mohr, the benefit is that depending on the driving situation and style, there is a significantly increased degree of freedom in the distribution of torque. As a result, the Chief Technological Officer (CTO) assures a completely enhanced level of driving enjoyment compared to the predecessor, which was always mechanically limited to a certain basic distribution.

Photo Gallery: Lamborghini Urus SE (2024) Initial Seating Test

The vehicle now offers a significantly rear-focused driving experience in Sport mode. Mohr assures that it's capable of drifting, not just on low-grip surfaces but also on high-grip ones. So, if you've ever desired to slide around in a 2.5-ton hybrid SUV until the 315-width tires give out, the new Urus is the vehicle for you.

In Performance Mode, the car takes advantage of the flexibility in torque distribution to ensure that it responds more accurately to steering commands, resulting in a drive that is both more neutral and precise. Mohr encapsulates it by stating, "The Urus SE provides the most thrilling driving experience in the Urus's history and, in our opinion, in its class as well." Now, they'll have to live up to that standard in Sant'Agata Bolognese.

5. The design SHOULD be less intimidating

A closer inspection of the new Urus SE reveals a vehicle with smoother, less angular lines that present a more subdued appearance. We don't necessarily view the removal of sharp edges on the front and rear as an enhancement. Design Chief Mitja Borkert has mentioned tidying up the front and rear design to align with elegance and athleticism. He notes the intentional shift towards a less menacing look for the new Urus, aligning it with the brand's hybrid philosophy.

The vehicle is now modeled after the latest leading model, Revuelto. Recognizing the increased significance in an electrified car, enhancements have been made to its aerodynamics. Improvements of 15 percent were made to the aerodynamics, brakes, and cooling systems, with brake cooling receiving a 30 percent enhancement. Rear axle lift has been reduced, aligning it closely with the previous Urus Performante's standards.

The newly designed expansive grille at the rear is a nod to the Gallardo, one of Borkert's preferred Lamborghini models. Additionally, the range of available paint options has been expanded, now offering a selection of 400 colors.

Borkert states that there has been a significant focus on enhancing the ergonomic design within the car. The dashboard has also been made much thinner. A larger screen featuring new graphics has been installed. Additionally, every touchpoint within the vehicle now boasts premium materials. Unlike the previous model, where one might have come into contact with plastic, the current version ensures a luxury material experience at every touch.

Germany holds the title as the second-largest global market for Lamborghini aficionados. This is a significant achievement worth savoring for German fans of the iconic bull-branded luxury cars. It's a fact that deserves to be celebrated, perhaps with a glass of Dom Pérignon to toast the accomplishment.

In the previous year, Germany recorded the sale of 960 Lamborghinis, accounting for an impressive 9.5% of the brand's new registrations worldwide, which totaled 10,112 vehicles in 2023. With the absence of a twelve-cylinder model on the market last year, the Urus model saw an even greater demand, contributing to 60% of the new registrations in the country.

The electrified Urus SE will have a starting price of 260,000 Euros, which is a 10 percent increase compared to the previous Urus S model. Deliveries are scheduled to begin at the end of 2024, and it appears that the allocation for the first year has already been sold out.

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