Lamborghini Urus SE Performante debuts as 812hp plug-in hybrid SUV

The Lamborghini Urus SE Performante debuts as an 812hp plug-in hybrid SUV carrying an entry price of £226,680, positioning itself almost £20,000 above the standard Urus SE while shedding just 32kg from its 2,473kg total mass.

Power and Weight Realities at Vairano

Tested at the Vairano proving ground near Milan, the new performance variant combines a twin-turbocharged V8 with an electrical system to produce 738lb ft of torque. Stefano Cossalter, product line director for the Lamborghini Urus, noted that driving dynamics remained the priority over sheer output. The vehicle dispatches the 0 to 62mph sprint in 3.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 194mph. Yet, despite an extensive carbon fibre diet—covering the bonnet, sill covers, and rear bumper/diffuser—the weight savings total only 32kg.

The hardware updates include twin-chamber, twin-valve air suspension that replaces the single-chamber setup found on the regular SE. This adjustment directly addresses customer complaints regarding the ride stiffness of the 2022 first-generation Performante. Downforce increases by 23 percent, assisted by front S-ducts, wider vents, and dual rear spoilers.

Lamborghini Claims Fastest SUV Top Speed

Lamborghini markets the model as the fastest SUV in the world by virtue of its 194mph top speed, edging out competitors like the Aston Martin DBX S, Bentley Bentayga Speed, and Ferrari Purosangue by a single mph. However, it is noted that this claim leaves out the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric.

The interior incorporates a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, physical ventilation switches, and a new Rally mode designed for driving fast on dirt or gravel roads.

New Sensors Manage Body Roll During Track Tests

The chassis relies on a new 6D chassis sensor and eight accelerometers to manage body roll. During track evaluations in Sport and Corsa modes, testers found the chassis capable of managing weight transfers through tight chicanes despite the vehicle’s height. Cossalter estimates that around half of SE buyers will select the Performante upgrade.