From the Baia delle Sirene to the roof of the Mediterranean, going back to the Sicilian autumn in all its shades of color, atmosphere, intensity. Urus Lamborghini at the test of Etna is a deep adrenaline rush, through a world made of layers: the ash rained with the latest eruptions, the first freshly fallen snow, above, the cooled lava that has become ground, below. October in Taormina, the departure, can be from swimming in the sea. The summit of the volcano, on the other hand, is one season less, with clouds that close off any landscape and a moment later the cold wind blows them away. Here is the top, here is the sea, here are the roads where participants in the Dynamic Earth Experience, organized by the Casa del Toro to experience the potential of the "super Suv", launched in 2017, compete.focusing on its performance on the dirt road.
Look at the
Lamborghini Urus
photos
on the Etna lava dirt road
Everything about Etna changes more quickly, it goes where the elements take it, but it adapts quickly.
It is the right place to be inspired by the six modes (road-sport-running-earth-sand-snow) and the multiform personalities of the powerful Urus of Sant'Agata Bolognese.
He recently completed the latest feat, crossing Umling La twice, at more than 5,800 meters, in the Indian Himalayas, the highest motorable road in the world.
It was the first Lamborghini to land in Iceland, facing sand, snow, rock.
He had shown versatility among the giant dunes of Dubai and among the surfers of the Portuguese beaches of Nazaré.
"Unlock any road" is the philosophy of this car weighing just under 2,200 kg, which holds together the soul and agility of the Toro super sports cars with something different, the possibility of having fun off-road, while maintaining comfort and safety.
Even those who have never gotten into such a car are immediately struck by an idea: ease. The concentration of mechanics and technology results in an extremely simple driving experience. Once the visual measurements have been taken of the large size of the Urus and the small rear window (it is a full-fledged Lamborghini with a lot of bodywork and few windows, two thirds and a third), we appreciate the eight-speed automatic transmission, short ratios for low gears and longer for high gears. On the highway, there is hardly any need to do anything but hold the wheel, enjoy the position: dominating traffic as an SUV should be, surrounded by space and technology - the rich and sufficiently intuitive "Lis III infotainment" - but at the same time there isis the feeling of sportiness, low seat of the driver and passengers, little air between the roof and the head. Comfort and dynamism come together.
Then, having taken the climb towards the Sapienza Refuge, it is time to change structure. First Corsa, more suitable for the track, then Sport, preferring the latter mode for the hairpin bends that cross lands rich in prickly pears, olive trees, beech trees then chestnut trees and as you climb the vegetation that gives way to the lava stones, at times zigzagging through the ash, left to form black and insidious puddles on the asphalt. To select the mode there is the 'Anima' lever on the center console to control the dynamic systems based on road conditions, or whatever the driver likes. When you switch to Corsa or Sport, you immediately perceive the transformation, the different tone of the engine, the sudden change of voice and character of the Urus, ready to grow, unleashing its 650 horsepower at 6.000 rpm (6,800 rpm max) of the front-mounted 4-liter aluminum twin-turbo V8. The curves of the volcano designed in Sport mode highlight the potential of the "super SUV", capable of smoothing the slope with minimal pressure on the accelerator, but also remedying the imperfections of the novice driver. The slope is not a problem, when you steer fast and you would expect to slip, you immediately find stability thanks to the rear steering system introduced with the Aventador S and proposed here. At low speeds, the turning radius is reduced and the machine more maneuverable. As you accelerate, the rear steering angle lengthens, bringing optimum stability and dynamics. When you go down the other side, a road just less winding but no less fun,with some straights between the pistachio plants of Bronte or the village of Linguaglossa, the engine brake allows you to experience safety, allowing you to go even a little beyond cruising speed.
At the Cava di Nicolosi, Urus has meanwhile demonstrated what it can do on earth and stones. Click Anima on the dashboard, then on 'lift' and the adaptive suspension automatically adjusts: the SUV rises. The suspensions 'grow' by 40 millimeters in ground mode, but an "extralift" can also be done: the car, within 35 km / h, is able to rise even more. The increased height makes it possible to overcome obstacles efficiently, also thanks to the anti-roll bars which, when cornering, ensure an asymmetrical and independent movement to optimize traction. The effect is that the rough terrain feels very little, it is as if devoured, the sensation is that of passing over it with a silent but agile tracked vehicle, unable to slip and with precise and controllable steering.Tested on dirt roads at higher speeds, slalomando and counter-steering for fun in an open space inside the quarry, Urus remains maneuverable even when the driver is convinced that he has to stop, that he has lost it. When you drive it like this, at the end you get off as if from an attraction at the "funfair". Upset, but thrilled.