Lamborghini revealed its much-anticipated 'super-SUV', the Urus, in Bologna, Italy. Upon first glance, a certainly looks like something with Lamborghini DNA in its veins. We're about to tell you why we think the Urus will make a lot of sense to Indian buyers.
Rambo Lambo Version 2.0 Lamborghini's CEO Stefano Domenicali has said: "the Urus is a true Lamborghini – in terms of design, performance, driving dynamics and emotion – as well as being drivable every day in a range of environments." The aggressive front splitter and air-intakes channel air to the underbody. The styling you see was executed with the aim being aerodynamics. A host of slashes, cuts and edgy headlamps and tail lamps add to the Lambo family appeal. Lamborghini's old LM002 looks nothing like it, but the Urus is the second SUV since then, back in 1986.
'Power' for the course No V10s or V12s in this one; sorry folks. It gets twin-turbo V8 petrol, mounted at the front - making 650hp and 850Nm of torque - all of which is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox that is electro-hydraulically controlled. A torque converter has been specially developed to help boost engine response. 0-100kph comes up in 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 306kph. The engine has been designed with central turbo-charger layout near the combustion chambers to improve engine response, with the twin-scroll turbos running in tandem, allowing for more power when fully loaded, while also reducing turbo lag.
It also features two exhaust flows and cylinder deactivation in order to help bring down fuel consumption. The four-wheel-drive system features Torsen self-locking differential with torque split 40:60 to the independent front and rear axles, while the rear differential boasts of active torque vectoring which delivers power to each wheel, as per the driving mode, style and grip levels. Rear-wheel steering from the Aventador has been used on the Urus as well. The Urus is based on the same MLB Evo platform as the Bentayga, Q7 and Cayenne. The chassis uses aluminium and steel to maximise stiffness. Aluminium doors and torsional beams replace the C-pillar, and a kerb weight of less than 2200kgs has been achieved. It also sports adaptive air suspension that allows the SUV to be raised, depending on the conditions, and altered via different driving modes. Pirelli has produced a range of tyres to suit the rims- right from 21-23 inches.
The Urus features six driving modes: Tamburo, Corsa, Strada, Neve(snow), Terra(off-road), Sabbia(sand) - the latter three of which raise the chassis to increase ground clearance. It also uses an electromechanical active roll stabilisation system to smoothen the ride quality. 'Ego' is a fully customisable drive mode, wherein the tuned damper valves are set to constantly adapt to the conditions. Going fast in comfort The dashboard features the 'Y' design, which is driver-oriented. There are loads of hexagonal design cues and elements that include the air vents and cuholders as well, typical of Lamborghinis. The three-spoke steering features vibration damping. You also get a customisable TFT driver information display and the new Lambo infotainment unit. Up-front, 12-way adjustable heated electric seats are on offer, while 18-way adjustable front seats come as as option. The rear gets a three-seat bench with Isofix points, or just two seats as an option, again. 616-litres of boot capacity is available, and will increase when the rear seats are folded flat.
Built at a new factory in Sant'Agata, Lamborghini will produce about 7000 cars a car. As for an India launch - well, January 11th isn't too far away, is it?

The Apache RR310 was sure about its racing pedigree and we waited almost two years to get treated by the actual road-going model. Whether you are a hardcore riding enthusiast or enjoy learning about motorcycles in leisure time, you would be well-aware that the RR310 is not just any other Apache you have seen on the road.

That will play a key contribution for its sales. TVS is aiming at selling 10,000 units in the next 12 months and indeed has its hopes high. TVS is the most successful domestic two-wheeler brand on race track and has won accolades in aplenty through the decades and slowly everything dripped into the production version.

What hides underneath the Shark-inspired bodywork of the RR310 is some clever thinking from the engineers at TVS. You do get lost thinking that it’s more of a TVS Racing’s track bike for the road and the body graphics and minute details do reflect on the 35 years of racing experience. You are absolutely right though!

The level of commitment put on testing the bike is incredible. It has spent hours and hours of wind tunnel testing on an airstrip and more than 3,000 laps on MMRT to make sure the suspension setup is bang on. Clearly the most spec-keen of you might be skeptical over the pricing and consider that it is on the high side compared to the R3 that has one more cylinder and some more horsepower?

I would like to disagree because, on a simple case, the price difference between the RR and R3 is too big to justify on the Yamaha’s favour. But, how about its closest rival, the KTM RC390? The Austrian sportsbike is an absolute track weapon and would hardly serve the Apache enthusiasts looking to step up from their RTRs aiming for everyday use and versatility as part of the package.

So what really is the Apache RR310? It sits right in between the Yamaha R3 and the KTM RC 390 by trying to strike all the right chords they are famous for. TVS has positioned the engine inclined to the rear, so that, the wheelbase can be maintained shorter and the swing arm can be built longer for optimal agility and stability through corners.

The riding position is not as aggressive as the RC and combined with the tall windscreen and low seat height, it is in fact a sports tourer for daily road use. However, the aerodynamic vents and arguably the gorgeous stock bike design from an Indian motorcycle maker till date have plenty to do with its performance.

It has a low drag co-efficient for easing through the wind and gets world-renowned Kayaba made suspension while the closed loop fuel injection is from Bosch for apt feedback. The Apache RR310 shares engine and gearbox with the popular BMW G310R but to suit the super sport characteristics, there are some changes made.

For better initial acceleration the RR has a slightly bigger tooth sprocket while the chassis is tuned to differ from the naked street fighter for a touring as well as track-biased optimal setup. TVS decided to offer a full-spec dual ABS system with Bybre calipers and it works in tandem with the 41 mm USD forks and monoshock rear but the slipper clutch will be sorely missed.

So, the RR310 has the basics covered and indeed comes with more purpose than just outright speed and slots right in the middle of the rather-too-soft for track R3 and the strictly-track-ready RC390. The other main competitors have to be the Bajaj Dominar and KTM Duke 250. Both have the technical specifications to match the RR310 but the price bracket is so close that the buyers will get carried away by the TVS’ near-perfect looks.