Urus Performante debuts at Pebble Beach

LAMBORGHINI Urus buyers will soon have the option to purchase an even higher performance – and 47kg lighter – version of the Italian brand’s super SUV.

The Urus Performante, which was unveiled publicly at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance this weekend following its recent record-setting run at the gruelling Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, is powered by Lamborghini’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 and produces an ominous 666CV (490kW) at 6000rpm, or 12kW more than the derivative model.

With 850Nm of torque on tap between 2300 and 4500 rpm, the Lamborghini Urus Performante can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in just 3.3 seconds on its way to a v-max of 306km/h.

The hard-charging SUV is offered for sale in Australia, China, Europe, Italy, the UK and the United States with initial deliveries commencing “before the end of 2022”, says Lamborghini.

Locally, the Urus Performante will be priced from $465,876 before on-road costs and options, or $73,908 more than the derivative model, with initial customer deliveries beginning in Q2 of 2023.

Weight saving measures for the still-2358kg Urus Performante include the adoption of a carbon-fibre bonnet, lighter (steel) suspension springs, reduced sound deadening, titanium wheel studs and an optional carbon-fibre roof, while increased aerodynamic efficiency, and an overall downforce increase of eight per cent, is achieved by a reprofiled frontal air curtain system and newly designed rear spoiler.

“The Urus Performante’s very bold and characterful design perfectly integrates the improved aerodynamics incorporating the front bumper’s air curtain, with significant visual differentiation including the new lightweight carbon-fibre engine bonnet and extensive use of carbon-fibre throughout reminding of its ‘Performante’ heritage,” explained Automobili Lamborghini designer, Mitja Borkert.

“This benchmarking Urus is designed as a unique driver-oriented Super SUV.”

With a 20mm lowered ride height, new steel springs and a 16mm wider wheel track, the Urus Performante also boasts an increased final drive ratio (up to 3.40:1 from 3.16:1) for improved acceleration, the model an impressive 0.2 seconds than its ‘standard’ sibling. Wheel choices extend to 22- or 23-inch lightweight options shod with “specially developed” Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick tyres.

Other equipment highlights include a lightweight titanium Akrapovič sports exhaust, bi-colour livery, black painted door handles, CFK air outlets over the bonnet and a CFK spoiler lip.

Inside the cockpit, the Urus Performante features Nero Cosmus black Alcantara as standard with a new hexagonal seat stitching design dubbed Performante trim.

Dedicated colour and trim options include an extension of the Performante trim on doors, roof-lining, seat backrest and rear wall, with further Ad Personam customisation including interior matt carbon-fibre details, red door handles, and a customised kick plate with Ad Personam logo.

The black Alcantara/leather steering wheel is trimmed in matt black as well as the aluminium interior trim in a black anodised finish. The blackened “Dark Package” theme can be continued optionally on other parts of the interior, such as the gear shifter and ignition button.

Lamborghini says the experience at the wheel of the Urus Performante allows the driver “a new intimacy with the road beneath him, with enhanced agility, feedback and sports orientation”.

A recalibration of the front wheel steering enhances connection with the road with precise inputs and direct feedback. The rear-wheel steering’s faster intervention increases turn-in agility complemented by torque vectoring of the rear differential both on-road and in off-road mode.

The model offers Strada (Street), Sport, and Corsa driving modes as per the base Urus, but adds a new Rally mode “elevating the super SUV’s fun-to-drive sportiness to a thrilling new level on dirt tracks”.

“The Urus Performante takes the supreme performance and distinctive looks of Lamborghini’s ground-breaking Super SUV to the next level, retaining its luxurious versatility and delivering the most engaging driving experience: not only on road but in every environment, distinguished through an alluring design that denotes new benchmarks for driving dynamism in what is already a remarkable car,” said Lamborghini chairman and CEO, Stephan Winkelmann.

“The Urus set a new standard at its launch, taking Lamborghini’s design DNA and technological talent and delivering the world’s first Super SUV for a new era: the Urus Performante sets the bar even higher for the SUV segment.”