Lamborghini Urus Performante, Power Up While Reducing Weight

Buyers of the Lamborghini Urus will soon be able to choose between a standard SUV and a more hardcore model bearing the Performante name.

On the Urus, the Performante moniker signifies a more sinister stance, achieved by increasing power, reducing weight, and lowering the ride height (by 20 mm) and widening the body (by 16 mm).

Peak power comes from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 producing 657 hp. The result is a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph. This is 0.2 seconds faster than the standard Urus. [This was achieved with the addition of a carbon fiber hood, lighter springs, reduced sound deadening material, and several other improvements. However, the vehicle still weighs in at 5,200 lbs. [Other major performance upgrades include 22-inch (also available in 23-inch) light-alloy wheels with titanium bolts, 8% more downforce, a new differential with higher ratios, and an anti-roll system and suspension damping adjustment for high-speed driving over rough surfaces. A new Rally Drive mode improves performance by adjusting the anti-roll system and suspension damping when driving at high speeds over rough surfaces.

Lamborghini has already demonstrated the SUV's performance by breaking the hill climbing record for a production vehicle at Pikes Peak. The Urus Performante climbed 14,115 feet in 10:32.06, beating the 10:49.90 set by the Bentley Bentayga in 2018. The Urs Performante was specially equipped with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo tires with 285/40R22 front and 325/35R22 rear. Pirelli worked closely with Lamborghini to develop a dedicated SUV version of the popular Trofeo R semi-slick tire.

Prices for the Urus Performante start at $260,676 and deliveries will begin by the end of the year.

The hardcore SUV was first unveiled on Friday of the 2022 Monterey Car Week. Lamborghini plans to unveil the Urus a second time before the end of the year, most likely as an updated version of the standard SUV.