Lamborghini Urus SUV - Gallery

The Urus is Lamborghini's first foray into the SUV market

Many marque enthusiasts hoped it would never come, but it has – and it has confounded expectations.

The Urus shares its underpinnings with the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Audi SQ7. However...

...careful development means it has a character and feel all of its own.

For starters, its twin-turbocharged, V8 petrol engine develops a huge 641bhp.

That's enough for 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds, and a 189mph top speed. Real supercar numbers.

And then there's the handling, which really doesn't feel much like an SUV at all

Although it weighs some 2.2 tonnes, active anti-roll bars keep the Urus flat in fast corners.

There's a sophisticated Tambura drive management system, too, with multiple driving modes...

...Corsa and Sport are the most exciting modes, while Strada is intended for street use

There are also off-road sand and gravel modes, and a snow mode, too.

In strada mode, the Urus is at its most civilized, but never becomes truly comfortable

Although the interior is swathed in lavish materials, the stiff ride means luxury isn't really a valid word

Rear seat passengers get a raw deal, too – those narrow windows don't offer the most panoramic of views out.

Still, the Urus is the closest yet to a Super-SUV, which is exactly what Lamborghini promised.