We’ve reviewed a few vehicles here that really stretch the legitimacy of certain provinces’ Green Vehicle licene plate. The 644-hp BMW XM and the 671-hp McLaren Artura come to mind. Recently, Lamborghini invited us to the unveiling of the newest, and by the far the most ridiculous vehicle to qualify for the carpool lane: the 2025 Lamborghini Urus SE, a plug-in hybrid update of its incredibly successful SUV, complete with nearly eight hundred horsepower. Because why not?
Power is supplied from a familiar twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, pushing 620 horsepower on its own. It is then augmented by an electric motor integrated into the transmission, being fed by a 25.9 kWh lithium-ion battery, delivering 192 hp on its own, along with 356 lb-ft of torque. Maximum combined output comes in at 789 ponies and 701 twisticles, and it does zero-to-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, according to Lamborghini. Perfect for snaking around tortoises in the carpool lane.
As much as I jest, this kind of tech makes perfect sense for this kind of application. The instantaneous response from the electric motor will make the already beastly force-fed V8 feel like it’s been shooting up an ungodly amount of steroids. Lamborghini has also developed both lateral and latitudinal torque vectoring differentials to effectively manage the massive muscle, ensuring the mechanical grip or each corner is being maximized at all times.
As ridiculous as the powertrain may be, Lamborghini claims the Urus SE can travel up to 60 kilometers on electric power alone, which is kind of impressive for the size and scale of this thing. That’s more than enough to be able to quietly escape the downtown core stealthily before lighting the afterburners on the highway. Lamborghini claims that keeping the fire-breathing engine largely offline reduces CO2 emissions by more than 80 per cent. Okay, you and I know that no one buying these cares about that, but it is an impressive achievement.
So while the powertrain may be more ferocious, the styling of this updated Urus SE has taken a shift in the opposite direction. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still very distinctly Urus, with all the dramatic curvature you’d expect from a Lamborghini. But the edges have been rounded off, giving a slightly softer, more sensual appearance. It’s not better or worse, just different. And it fits in with the theme of being softer on the planet.
The 2025 Lamborghini Urus SE will start at $301,400, but if you’re actually in the market for one of these monsters, you’ve probably already been contacted. If you haven’t, and the idea of a Lamborghini that can silently shuttle the kids to school before taking your breath away on the open road tickles your pickle, maybe it’s time to start making some phone calls.
