Photo: Lamborghini/PA.
‘Tamburo’.
Just the thought of having a ‘Rally’ setting on Lamborghini takes a minute to adjust to. Still, it’s an angle this Italian firm is exploring, and will continue to do so when it reveals an off-road-focused version of its Huracan supercar later in 2022. But, back to the Urus and the course that awaits us. It’s no Dakar Rally, and admittedly a front-wheel-drive crossover with a decent amount of ground clearance could probably master most of it.That’s not the point here, though, as it’s the fun factor that makes this SUV so special.
What the Rally mode does is ease off the traction control, allowing for more oversteer – essentially meaning you can get it a little more sideways. Of course, this is only permitted away from public roads, and where safe to do so.
At the same time, the Rally mode sends a greater chunk of torque to the rear wheels and means if you put your foot down coming out of the dirt stages’ corners, it’s really easy to get it to slide, yet always in a controlled fashion. It feels like it’s been engineered so that anyone, whether an experienced rally driver or a 21-year-old that’s just won the EuroMillions, can enjoy it within their capabilities.
The grip levels are also impressive, admittedly on this predominantly dry course, and more so when considering our test Urus Performante is riding on normal ‘off-the-shelf’ road tyres.
This dirt stage didn’t let us experience the full 657bhp that the Performante offers, but accompanied by the fantastic growl of the titanium Akrapovic exhaust system, it’s impossible not to smile when drifting a Lamborghini around a rally stage.Those Alcantara seats also keep you firmly in hold, while even though the Performante rides on fixed steel springs – rather than the adaptive air suspension of the standard car – you don’t feel like your back’s about to give way. Far from it.
A Lamborghini with a Rally Mode shows this Italian firm’s eccentricity as its very finest, and demonstrates that even the most Made In Chelsea of ‘Chelsea Tractors’ can still prove their worth off-road if need be.
74 | mccarthyholden.co.uk
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