You knew it was coming, and it’s finally here: The 2019 Lamborghini Urus. It’s not Lamborghini’s first SUV, but it’s the first one that’s going to go into mass production. For that reason alone, it’s worth paying attention to — you’re going to be seeing a lot of these, at least compared to the number of Huracans and Aventadors you happen upon. It will be available next spring — yours for just $200,000 to start.

The Urus is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged 90-degree V8, connected to the all-wheel-drive system through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The motor delivers 641 hp (that’s 650 pferdestarke) and 627 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm and 2,250 rpm, respectively. Redline is 6,800 rpm. This engine sounds suspiciously like the turbocharged 4.0-liter available in the 2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, but it’s substantially up on output; 0-62 mph takes just 3.6 seconds, and the all-important 0-124-mph run takes 12.8.

All in all, Lamborghini says the Urus is the world’s fastest production SUV with a top speed of 190 mph — notably, 3 mph faster than the Bentley Bentayga and 10 faster than the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, for those who keep track of these things.

Curb weight is said to be under 4,850 pounds, for those who keep track of those things. For the thousands of Urus buyers who will flock to Moab and the Rubicon Trail, the ground clearance is probably more important than curb weight; it is adjustable via air suspension from 6.2 inches to just under 9.8 inches. So maybe steer clear of the rock park.

Somewhere in there, on the center console, is the “Tamburo” that you will use to control the Urus’ drive mode.

The Urus’ all-wheel drive system can deliver up to 70 percent of torque to the front wheels or up to 87 percent of torque to the rear, depending on the situation. You’ll be able to chose between six dive modes (plus the excellently named “EGO” customizable mode) to match terrain, weather conditions and your preferred driving style. Other Lamborghinis have selectable drive modes, but only the Urus’ are accessed through the “Tamburo,” or “drum,” which is what the company is calling the center console-mounted controller.

We know, we know: The stats are impressive, this thing’s existence was all but inevitable and if platform-mates like the Porsche Cayenne and Bentley Bentayga are anything to go by, it will be something of a driver (at least compared to your standard-issue crossover). But it’s taking Lamborghini frighteningly close to “practical” territory, and we’re not sure how we feel about that.

From its turbo motor — the first in a Lambo — to an eventual plug-in-variant to its projected sales volume, the Urus is going to change the company that builds it. It’s available beginning spring 2018, but it’s going to take us a bit longer than that to adjust.

Here’s a Urus prototype off the pavement.

Graham Kozak – Graham Kozak drove a 1951 Packard 200 sedan in high school because he wanted something that would be easy to find in a parking lot. He thinks all the things they’re doing with fuel injection and seatbelts these days are pretty nifty too.
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