Compare: 2018 Tannistes - VAG's Big SUV // Sporty Convenience with a Big Spoon
Reading the press and marketing presentations of all three, we can't find much in common (other than the usual assertions that cars are for free choice, pleasure, and comfort). Each also targets its very specific clientele due to the price. It's clear that Audi is clearly premium (more on that in our test, just scroll ahead a few pages!). Lamborghini is an excellent off-road vehicle, whose competitor so far is only Bentayga. The Touareg, on the other hand, is a popular SUV concept with more prestige and off-road capability than the Tiguan offers. However, how much each of these three can relate to the basic concept of an SUV (SUV) is really difficult to judge. In this category, we have to redefine both sportiness and usability, and then we can add a lot of things to SUVs.
In the meantime, ambitious buyers who need such a novelty as Volkswagen and Audi can only be supplied under the hood with a three-liter V6 turbodiesel engine, which differs slightly from brand to brand. We also traveled to the north of Denmark. The Volkswagen instance caters for fewer starting issues. But in both cases, it is the engine that allows the driver not to worry about whether the car will be able to cope with any road conditions. As much as 600 Newton meters of torque is a really good figure, and acceleration in the city or while driving is such that everyone “sticks” to the back of the seat. So the choice might be more difficult just because it's an unpopular turbodiesel technology.
But the Urus is a completely different matter. This is the third Lamborghini model to be offered and, of course, the first SUV. Until now, this brand with its breeding bull on its coat of arms has been primarily a specialist in sports two-seaters with very bold shapes and even more convincing driving characteristics. The Urus also made its debut because it is the brand's first front-engined car. But it is also a known fact that Ferdinand Piech, in creating the current Volkswagen Group, put Lamborghini in close contact with Audi. The intertwining of knowledge and design cues from both brands has been typical so far, the Audi R 8 and Lamborghini Hurracan have much more in common under their skin than one might first guess. A similar approach was used in the design of the Urus. Like all the main SUVs of the group, it was created on a single platform Modularer Längsbaukasten - MLB. In fact, the Urus was created in conjunction with the Audi Q 8, although this information has not been released publicly.
Unlike the better known MQB, the MLB is designed for larger cars with a longitudinally mounted engine and a wide variety of accessories. It's already in its second generation, so it's now called MLB. First he produced the Audi Q 7, later the Porsche Cayenne and its direct relative the Bentley Bentayga. So, there are three more available this year, which we present here. Thanks to the new basis for creating individual models, they are now very satisfied with individual Volkswagen brands. Using a common base simplifies further work, designers can more easily adapt to the requirements of designers and market experts. Each of the three has sufficient characteristics, so it is difficult to say that they come from a common "nest". Already the shapes are completely different, the designers of the Touareg have focused mainly on usability and simplicity of shape.
Q 8 and Urus are different. Both should hint at their "coupe" character, including the lack of window frames on the side doors. The Q 8 is a bit more "sporty" because Audi already offers the Q 7, the Urus, because the "sporty" Lamborghini chose the SUV mostly at the behest of its dealers. They expect to supply most of the new Uruses to China, where they will also sell the majority of their full specification vehicles. Even with regards to the form, opinions are very divided, I have not met many people who like the form! The prevailing opinion was that something smoother and more pleasing to the eye could not be expected from this brand, but the sharpness of the form should already be expressed in the name. The Urus is impressive and that was certainly the design goal. But once we get into it, we no longer have any problems (or enthusiasm) with the shape… But even in the driver's seat, you won't find peace and pleasure looking at the smooth flowing lines of the interior.
The first impression is similar to the exterior: too many sharp lines, despite the fact that the dashboard (all three screens, like in Audi) shows traces of a common platform, everything else is done with sharp edges. , pointed, broken … After a brief introduction, of course, we tame, understand and even understand why Lamborghini talks about the optional “tambourine”. These are two drums mounted next to the central "shift lever" with which we select drive profiles with additional levers. Well, there is no mentioned “shift lever” at all, it is a set of two mini levers - if you pull the red middle lever, we will be able to start the engine, and the upper lever only serves to engage reverse gear. If we want to shift the gearbox to "first" or, since it is automatic, to "forward", we use the lever on the steering wheel. Immediately after using the red lever, the engine starts - as it should be on a car of this brand. . As for the sound of the engine (noise, roar), and it is the appropriate electronic support and the correct design of the exhaust pipe ensures that the engine will make a sound when choosing a driving profile or when pressing the accelerator pedal. The engine sounds nice, what the hell!
The exciting steering wheel requires turns, but on top of Denmark, you are unlikely to find a really suitable road to test it. It is better to pass the power transfer test on a slippery surface - the sand on the beach is just right. The wheels slam into him, if all 850 Newton meters of torque are really transferred to them, I cannot guarantee, but Urus jumps in and at least convinces of this. Pleases with a really excellent retention of the body in turns, without tilt! This is ensured by a suitable chassis electronically. Adjustable dampers and suspension provide a ride almost like a flying carpet, and the driving experience in the Urus is really high in this regard. Super SUV - by the way! Lamborghini pays more attention to the excellent driving performance of the Urus on the race track than on the field. Sure, it can do both in its own way, but on the race track, it's definitely not as fast as the Hurracan. The brakes are decent, the discs are made of composite ceramic and carbon fiber (CCB), with a diameter of 440 mm in front and 370 mm in the rear. The biggest one they can get. The braking feel is really great and the braking distance of 33,5 meters at 100 km/h is impressive.
The Urus engine is new to Lamborghini, but its block, bore and movement suggest that the individual brands can help each other here too. A similar engine is already used in the Panamera, but it has a different turbocharging and, with proper engine management, also different possibilities.
It is not yet known when the other two will receive the more powerful turbocharged petrol engine from this comparison. But we can expect it to happen soon. Audi and Volkswagen are experiencing some delays in preparing suitable power plants that will meet the new WLTP standards due to their past sins. We can expect V6 TFSI, but performance is still speculation. Of course, the Q 8 may not be close to the Urus at the beginning, but who knows, since Audi also has a version with the addition of S or RS. More "popular", of course, is the Volkswagen Touareg. This popular one is just a reference to the brand name, otherwise Volkswagen would risk entering the premium market with it.
However, with all three (along with those previously introduced), Volkswagen brands now cover the full spectrum of the most diverse tastes of customers around the world. Further proof of how modern automotive technology can be adapted in different ways to meet many needs.
Pricelist
The price of the Audi Q8 in the Slovenian market starts from 83.400 euros, the Volkswagen Touareg – from 58.000 euros. Lamborghini does not have a seller in the Slovenian market, but they do have a certain European price without duties (DMV and VAT), which is 171.429 euros.
