New Lamborghini Urus SE Performante gets 812hp
Most powerful Urus to date arrives with Fenomeno tech to help with its phenomenal weight
Earlier this year, Lamborghini chief Stephan Winkelmann announced that EVs were off the cards at Sant’Agata and that its V12 was here for the long run. Great news, of course, but if big, beautiful engines are set to stay, they must accept a degree of electrification, which means doubling down on its higher-volume, low(er) emission Urus SE plug-in models - hence the arrival of the new range-topping SE Performante.
This isn’t the first time the Performante name has graced the Urus, of course. Launching on the non-hybrid Urus back in 2022, the flagship dialled up the power and dynamic aggression, while an abundance of carbon was all about (virtue signalling) weight loss. But a lot has changed since then, with the Urus range now entirely based around the SE plug-in hybrid. So while the new Performante retains the same 4.0-litre V8 as before, the conjoined e-motor means it’s a fair bit more potent than before. All in, the SE Performante puts out a monstrous 812hp, which is 12hp more than the regular SE and a mighty 146hp leap over the previous model, while torque takes a 37lb hike over the base car to 738lb ft. With the hybrid system in its most potent setting, you can expect to hit 62mph from a standstill in 3.3 seconds (0.1 seconds faster than the standard SE), while top speed remains fixed at 194mph.
That makes the SE Performante the most powerful Urus ever built, and one that’ll net you up to 37 miles of electric-only running courtesy of a 25.9 kWh lithium-ion battery housed beneath the boot floor. It does, however, come with a substantial weight penalty. At 2,473kg it’s a whopping 323kg heavier than the old, non-hybrid Performante, though Lamborghini has at least managed to eject 32kg over the standard SE. How? Well, with carbon fibre, of course, and lots of it. You’ll find it on the redesigned bonnet, roof, skirts, rear diffuser and around the wheel arches. The exhaust system has also been upgraded with titanium components, saving a total of 10kg, while ‘meticulous optimisation’ of sound deadening material results in a further 3.3kg drop.
Admittedly, Lamborghini could have quite easily left it there and called it a day. But it hasn’t, instead choosing to cram in some cutting-edge tech derived from the ‘few-off’ Fenomeno. Firstly, there’s the trick new 6D sensor, which monitors pitch, roll and yaw, feeding the information into an AI-powered onboard computer. That then adjusts the new Integrated Power Brake, an electro-hydraulic braking system that’s much more responsive than a conventional vacuum booster, as well as the active dual-chamber air suspension, to keep the Performante’s chassis in the ideal operating window. Lamborghini says the setup improves braking power by 10 per cent and reduces body roll during ‘sporty driving’ by 55 per cent. So while it isn’t drastically lighter than the standard SE, it should do a better job at keeping its mass in order.
Naturally, there’s an array of driver modes to play around with, including the usual suspects like Strada, Sport, Corsa and Performance, along with four additional modes for the powertrain’s electrical element. However, the SE Performante also induces a new Rally mode, which Lamborghini describes as an ‘absolute novelty’. Probably because it’ll barely get any use, as it’s specially calibrated for ‘maximum driving enjoyment’ on dirt surfaces, but it’s nice to know it's there should you muster the courage to take your SE Performante off-road - or on a round-the-world expedition.
Inside, the cabin gets even sportier with suede-like ‘CorsaTex’ all over the dashboard, centre console, seats and steering wheel, which comes paired with carbon fibre trim and new Y-shaped motifs dotted throughout. Expect a substantial options list to truly make it your own, though prices remain under lock and key for the time being. It’ll obviously carry a significant premium over the base SE’s £208,000 starting price, but the fact that an old Performante with fewer than 2,000 miles on the clock will set you back just shy of £260k should give you an idea of just how sought-after this new model will probably be...
Residuals seem to confirm this too, fantastic cars.
Might seem pedantic but its a fast SUV, people debate whether an Audi R8 is a supercar, dont think there is much debate as why this isnt one.
They are everywhere here in Cheshire, lot of power but a 15 grand Tesla Model 3 Performance will match it to sixty which seems mad.
Might seem pedantic but its a fast SUV, people debate whether an Audi R8 is a supercar, dont think there is much debate as why this isnt one.
They are everywhere here in Cheshire, lot of power but a 15 grand Tesla Model 3 Performance will match it to sixty which seems mad.
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Residuals seem to confirm this too, fantastic cars.
Average at anything important.
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