The car has six different personalities but just one tyre set. Some of the most exciting challenges for Pirelli are to create special tyres for special cars and the project for the brand-new Lamborghini Urus was one of the toughest calls of all. The issue was not so much in keeping at bay the 650 horsepower and superb performance (top speed of 305 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and from 0 to 200 in 12.8) of a crossover which is over 5 metres long weighs in at 2.2 tons. The ‘mission impossible' this time was to make a tyre set capable of adapting to the changeable character of this extraordinary Lamborghini.
The Urus is kitted out with state-of-the-art dynamic control and top-range technology to adapt to all situations and road conditions. These include all-wheel drive with active rear torque distribution, four-wheel steering, active air suspension, active electromechanical anti-roll stabilisation with constant and immediate response and carbo-ceramic brakes affording the best braking performance in the SUV segment. The unique technological package is managed entirely by the ANIMA Selector that profoundly changes the personality of the car – as suggested by the name, that means 'soul' in Italian. There are three on-road driving modes: STRADA (road) optimised for easy driving and enhanced comfort and safety; SPORT, for agility and responsiveness to create a fun driving experience; CORSA (racing) for precise, maximised performance. There are also three off-road driving modes created to boost the performance of the Urus even further: NEVE (snow), for easy and safe driving even on slippery surfaces; TERRA (earth), for off-road comfort and agility; SABBIA, perfect – as the name suggests – for driving on sand. Finally, EGO mode can be used to personalise steering, suspension and traction settings and dynamics. The Pirelli tyres (285/45 ZR21 on the front and 315/40 ZR21 on the back) shine in the six configurations, enhancing the performance of the Urus in all conditions.
Not by chance, the bond between Pirelli and Lamborghini is a time-honoured one and led up to the creation of the Aventador Pirelli. The special edition – in two versions, Coupé and Roadster – was packed with exclusive equipment specifically studied by the Lamborghini Style Centre to celebrate the partnership between Lamborghini and Pirelli that started in 1963, when Ferruccio Lamborghini asked Pirelli for special tyres for the prototype of the 350 GTV to be displayed at the Turin Motor Show that year. Time has gone by since then. But the striving for excellence has not changed.
