When Mini electrified its previous-generation hatchback, it called it the Cooper SE in most markets but decided to go simply with Electric in the UK in order to avoid confusion with what was a common trim level name.
Lamborghini has no such qualms with its new Urus SE, which isn't a fleet-friendly version with 17in wheels and cloth seats but effectively the facelift of the Italian brand's controversial but predictably successful SUV.
Like the Bentley Continental GT Speed that we reviewed last week (with which it shares its platform and a drivetrain), the Urus has also become a plug-in hybrid. So I suppose it does actually make more sense as a company car than before.
However, the 37-mile electriconly range and low official CO2 emissions aren't the primary improvements Lamborghini's people are trying to draw my attention to as they throw me straight into a 'drift experience'. The exciting stuff here is that instead of the old Torsen centre differential, there's now a fully variable clutch pack to proactively send power forward and backwards. It works together with the electronic limitedslip differential at the back to effectively do torque vectoring.
The engineers say it works predictively, so that if you hoof it out of a corner with the stability control off, it assumes that you want to go sideways and pushes a load of power to the outside rear wheel. Indeed, it will gladly smoke its tyres until they violently expire. It always feels like there's a lot of weight in play (because there is, at around two and a half tonnes), and the fourwheel drive system will try to pull you out of a drift if you counter-steer too much, but it's a neat trick.
We will need more quality time on the road to really say how that all translates, because the roads around the Nardò proving ground in Italy, where Lamborghini chose to launch the Urus SE, could hardly have been more uninspiring.
This story is from the October 09, 2024 edition of Autocar UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 09, 2024 edition of Autocar UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The riddle of the sands
Dacia is hoping to crack the Dakar Rally first time out with Prodrive and a star line-up. DAMIEN SMITH finds out more
25 FOR 25
What is going to happen in the year ahead? Here are 25 cars, events, racing stars and big stories to keep an eye on
FORD CAPRI
Does new electric crossover live up to its name more in rear-driven form?
SKODA ELROQ
One of the best crossover EVs arrives in a smaller form
An alien encounter
The Tesla Cybertruck looks like it has come from outer space. Aversion and confusion naturally abound. MARK TISSHAW musters the courage to make first contact
Damien Smith
Always beware hype in motorsport. Still, at the dawn of 2025, I find myself irresistibly drawn by a tractor beam of anticipation. So here goes: I haven't felt this pumped about a forthcoming Formula 1 season for years.
SOLID-STATE BATTERIES SET TO GO MAINSTREAM
New, lighter battery tech boosts range and is close to making production
URBAN CRUISER RETURNS AS EV TWINNED WITH EVITARA
Toyota’s new Volvo EX40 rival will be built beside Suzuki sibling in India
ALL-NEW CLA SIGNALS STEP CHANGE FOR MERCEDES EVS
We ride shotgun in the car set to usher in what Merc calls its 'EV 2.0' era
AMG'S NEW SUPER-SUV TO PACK OVER 1000BHP
Electric GT SUV will use advanced tech to take on Eletre and Cayenne EVs