By Otsile Kadiege

Automobili Lamborghini recently revealed the new Urus Performante. The Performante package raises the bar on the Super SUV’s sporty design and performance.

Urus Performante performance

Straight off the bat, ahead of its premiere the Urus Performante set a new record in the production SUV category on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Road, crossing the finish line at 4302 meters (14,115 ft) in 10:32.064 and beating the previous 2018 record of 10:49.902. Its 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 powerplant now makes 490 kW and 850 Nm. Power is sent to all four wheels and Lamborghini claims the Urus Performante will sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds and it has a top speed of 306 km/h.

New to the Urus Performante are Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R (sizes 285/40 R22 and 325/35 R22) semi slick tyres which have been developed to meet the characteristics of the Urus Performante. The result of the collaboration between Lamborghini and Pirelli is a tyre which is said to have increased versatility, returning high performance both on dry asphalt with high ambient temperatures and on wet surfaces with colder temperatures.

The boffins at Lamborghini also recalibrated the front wheel steering which is said to enhance connection with the road with precise inputs and direct feedback. The rear-wheel steering’s faster intervention is also said to increase turn-in agility complemented by torque vectoring of the rear differential both on-road and in off-road mode. New steel springs lower the Performante’s chassis by 20 mm, with a wheel track that is broader by 16 millimeters, over which wider carbon fiber wheel arches embrace new optional 23-inch or forged 22-inch lightweight wheels with titanium bolts.

Lamborghini also re-engineered drive modes (Strada, Sport, Corsa and Rally) to allow the Urus Performante driver to select the perfect set-up for every environment.

Purposeful design

The Lamborghini Urus Performante resounds with bold, aeronautical dynamism, from first glance, at every angle. A pure, sharper, more prominent bonnet and bumper design immediately highlights the Performante’s super sports genetics yet retains the Urus’ innate elegance. The Urus Performante’s extensive use of composite materials makes it the car with the highest number of carbon fiber parts in its segment.

The front bumper and splitter in carbon fiber sport assertive new lines: new black front air-intakes are said to deliver increased engine cooling. A new air curtain draws airflow over the front wheels, within an aerodynamic design theme that is said to decrease drag the new bonnet’s air outlet contribute to the overall aerodynamics efficiency and helps the engine cooling. Lamborghini adds the newly-designed rear spoiler increases rear downforce of the Urus Performante by 38%.

In profile, the Lamborghini Urus Performante’s lowered stance is accented by its prominent front, and rear wing and bumper, increasing its overall length by 25 mm. The rear of the Urus Performante is equally distinctive by its purposeful high-performance design. A rear spoiler with carbon fiber fins takes design inspiration from the Aventador SVJ and contributes to the increased downforce.

The lower rear bumper and diffuser is also in carbon fiber with a light-weight titanium Akrapovič sports exhaust as standard. The bi-color livery scheme accentuates the dynamism of this Performante model: against the body color, features such as black painted door handles, CFK air outlets over the bonnet and CFK spoiler lip.

Urus Performante interior

Inside, the Urus Performante cockpit features Nero Cosmus black Alcantara as standard with a new hexagonal seat stitching design, the “Performante trim”, and further options including a leather interior. Dedicated color and trim options include extension of the Performante trim on doors, roof-lining, seat backrest and rear wall, with further Ad Personam customization including interior matt carbon fiber details, red door handles, and a customized kickplate with Ad Personam logo.

The black Alcantara/leather steering wheel is trimmed in matt black as well as the Aluminum interior trim in black anodized. With the optional “Dark Package”, the matt black treatment can be extended to other interior details including the lever of the Urus’ central ‘TAMBURO’, hosting controls such as the start/stop button and drive mode selector. A new HMI graphic, with a dedicated design for the Urus Performante, features on both the center console screen and in a large arc across the main display.