Lamborghini Raises The Bar With New Urus Performante Super SUV

Do you find the bog-standard Urus simply too tame for your taste? Worry no more, as Lamborghini has the perfect solution for you. It’s called the Urus Performante, and it’s their wildest super SUV yet.

This is not just a fancy-schmancy trim upgrade, either. It has all the engineering credentials of a Performante-grade Bull, and has even went on to become the fastest production SUV to complete the prestigious Pikes Peak International Hill Climb ahead of its global premiere.

The headline figures are as follows: 657 horsepower and 850 Nm of torque from a retuned twin-turbo V8 powerplant, with a 0-100 km/h timing of just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 306 km/h. Its weight-to-power ratio has also been improved thanks to a 47 kg weight reduction, and stands at 3:2 now. 

Lamborghini claims that aerodynamic efficiency has been improved, with overall downforce increased by 8%. We certainly believe that, seeing how the Urus' sheet metal is festooned with complex vents and creases. 

The reworked front fascia and forged carbon fibre bonnet may seem a tad fussy, but there's no denying that they do wonders in the aerodynamics and weight-savings departments. Customers can also choose whether they'd like to have the bonnet in body colour, or with the carbon fibre partially visible. 

A new air curtain draws airflow over the front wheels for improved efficiency, while the Aventador SVJ-inspired rear spoiler increases rear downforce of the Urus Performante by 38%, keeping the Urus well-planted at high speeds. 

The lightweight treatment extends throughout the SUV, with an optional carbon fibre roof even made available, recalling Lamborghini's other super sports models such as Huracán Performante and Super Trofeo. 

Over at the back, the Urus Performante benefits from a carbon fibre rear bumper and diffuser, with both components complemented by a lightweight titanium Akrapovič sports exhaust that's fitted as standard. 

The chassis is lowered by 22 mm thanks to new steel springs, with a broader wheel track (16 mm wider), while wider carbon fibre wheel arches sit above forged 22-inch lightweight wheels (or optional 23-inch ones) with titanium bolts and Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slicks. It will also come with carbon ceramic discs for immediate stopping power.

With all the Performante parts installed, this range-topping Urus rests lower and lengthier – by 25 mm lengthwise – than its standard sibling.

Lamborghini claims that turn-in agility is better now thanks to the recalibration of the front-wheel steering and faster intervention from the rear-wheel steering. The Urus Performante will still come with the usual driving modes: Strada, Corsa, and Sport. 

The main party piece is the new Rally mode, however. Working in tandem with the torque vectoring of the rear differential, the Urus Performante's oversteer-happy character is taken up several notches, further amplified by anti-roll and damping systems that have been optimised for steel springs on off-road or more extreme surfaces.

In true Performante spirit, this special Urus comes with Nero Cosmus black alcantara as standard, with a new hexagonal seat stitching design. Customers may still opt for a leather interior should they want to. Regardless of which material is chosen, the steering wheel is trimmed in matte black, while the rest of the aluminum interior trim is in black anodised.

Dedicated colour and trim options include extension of the Performante trim on doors, rooflining, seat backrest and rear wall. For even greater personalisation, Ad Personam customisation is available for interior pieces, such as matte carbon fiber details, red door handles, and a customised kickplate with Ad Personam logo. 

And with the optional “Dark Package”, customers can look forward to a more serious matte black treatment for other interior details, including the lever of the Urus’ central "Tamburo" drive mode selector, which is also where the start/stop button resides in.

The Urus Performante is slated to arrive within the end of the year, with prices starting at € 215,261 before taxes and delivery, with no word on local pricing at the time of publication.

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