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AUTO
REVIEW

The recent movie, “Lamborghini: The Man Behind The Legend,”
tells the story of Italian industrialist Feruccio Lamborghini’s attempts
to get Enzo Ferrari to “fix” what Mr. Lamborghini believed were prob-
lems with Ferrari clutches. After being told dismissively to go back to
making tractors, Lamborghini famously started his own sports car
company, which today, more than 60 years after that (possibly apoc-
ryphal) exchange, constitutes Ferrari’s most potent competitor.
So, after its founding, Lamborghini Inc. grew steadily over the
decades, is still Italian owned, and now sells over 9,000 vehicles per
year at an average price of almost $300,000, right?
Um, no. The 9,000/$300,000 part is correct, but in 1973, 10 years
after founding the company, Mr. Lamborghini was forced to sell it,
and Automobili Lamborghini SPA bounced around from marginal too much like a Ferrari sports car when SUV owners, even exotic SUV
owner to marginal owner until it was finally rescued in 1998 by Volk- owners, want an SUV driving experience when they get into their
swagen AG, which owns it to this day. SUVs, and that makes sense to me. If I owned a Lamborghini Aventa-
What Volkswagen brought to the table, in addition to financial sta- dor and bought a Urus SUV, I would want a less intense driving expe-
bility, was access to Porsche and Audi parts, components and platforms, rience when I drove the Urus. Yes, I would value the “Lambo-ness” of
which have enabled Lamborghini to produce vehicles cheaper and the Urus’ design and interior, but I would appreciate its higher seating
more reliably than they could have if they were a stand-alone company. position, extra elbow room and softer ride.
Which brings us to the 2023 Lamborghini Urus SUV, a triumph Speaking of the Urus’ interior, it is very Lamborghini. To start the
of platform sharing if there ever was one. Based on the Porsche engine, you have to lift a “protective” cover over the red Start button—
Cayenne and Audi Q8 platform, the Urus shares its engine, transmis- as if the Urus were asking, “are you *sure* you’re ready for this?” My
sion and many other bits with the top-of-the-line Cayenne Turbo S test car was black over (very) red leather, which is classic Italian and
and Audi RS Q8. That’s good because those SUVs are great perform- quite fetching. In any other car, the bright red interior in my Urus
ers, but it’s bad because the Urus is more German than it is Italian. would be too much, but in this SUV it works. In fact, a subtle exterior
That doesn’t mean that the Urus as a vehicle is bad, nor does it mean color over a bright interior is the best way to go in a Urus in my opinion.
that it’s not Italian (the Urus is manufactured in Italy). But it does Not surprisingly, the UI/screens/etc. are very Volkswagen AG, and
mean that the Urus is quite different from its competitor Ferrari, the Porsche in particular. Yes, there are many Lamborghini-specific fonts
Purosangue, which is smaller and sportier than the Urus. The and graphics, but if you own a modern Audi or Porsche, you’ll be able
Purosangue is also more “Ferrari” because it sports a true Ferrari V12 to find your way around the Urus’ tech easily.
engine and transmission. Of course, because of its slinky styling the Urus is less roomy than
Keep in mind though, that the car gods giveth, and the car gods taketh the aforementioned Porsche Cayenne or Audi Q8. Is it good for tak-
away: MSRP for a new Urus starts at around $235,000, while a base ing four adults to dinner in Boerne? Yes, but don’t volunteer to drive
Purosangue will set you back more than $400,000. Using Porsche/Audi those same friends to Denver. It won’t be a good trip for anyone in
parts allowed Lamborghini to keep Urus pricing relatively low. the rear seats.
For the record, the Urus is fast. Zero-to-sixty MPH takes just 3.1 sec- The fact that the Lamborghini Urus SUV isn’t really a Lamborgh-
onds thanks to a 657HP twin-turbo 4.0L V8 engine, and its top speed ini is a feature not a bug. In fact, its Audi-based engine and trans-
is 190MPH. Naturally, fuel economy suffers: EPA estimates are 14MPG mission make it a better SUV, which may explain the Urus’
City, 19MPG Highway. I doubt customers will give that a thought. popularity. I approve.
Thanks to a design with many sharp edges and lots of angularity, As always, call Phil Hornbeak, the Auto Program Manager at
the Urus definitely looks like a Lamborghini. In fact, with all of the BCMS (210-301-4367) for your best deal on any new car or truck
“Lambo boi” design elements and a lower profile than its platform brand. Phil can also connect you to preferred financing and lease rates.
mates the Cayenne and Q8, this Lamborghini could never be confused
with any other brand, even by non-enthusiasts. Stephen Schutz, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist
Driving the Urus is a pleasure, mostly because you get lots of who lived in San Antonio in the 1990s when he was stationed
“Lambo-ness” without too much of it. Other reviewers have criticized here in the U.S. Air Force. He has been writing auto reviews
the Ferrari Purosangue (which I haven’t yet driven) because it drives for San Antonio Medicine magazine since 1995.

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