If there’s one model in the luxury segment that doesn’t need an update to boost sales, it’s the Urus. The Lamborghini Super SUV has assembled more than 20,000 units since it entered production four years ago. This has helped the peeps from Sant’Agata Bolognese achieve their best half year sales in H1 2022 by shipping 5,090 cars. The spiritual successor LM002 accounted for 61 percent of the total volume.
Despite the immense success of the Urus, Lamborghini couldn’t ignore newcomers like the Aston Martin DBX and the upcoming Ferrari Purosangue. To that end, today’s popular Performante derivative breaks the cover with more power and less weight. The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 has been massaged to extract an additional 16 hp for a total of 666 hp. As for torque, it remains unchanged, at 850 Newton-meters (627 pound-feet).
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Urus has been on a diet to lose 47 kilograms (104 pounds) of fat to further improve performance. By the way, the Performante slashed three tenths of a second from the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint, which now takes just 3.3 seconds. The flat out, family sports car on stage will do 190 mph (306 km/h) or nearly the same as before. If you want to go even faster in an SUV, the more powerful DBX707 can reach a maximum speed of 193 mph (310 km/h).
In addition to adding power and reducing weight, the Lamborghini Urus Performante chassis is lowered by 20 millimeters (0.8 inches) while the track is widened by 16 mm (0.6 inches). Improved carbon fiber wheel arches feature optional 23-inch or 22-inch alloy wheels featuring titanium bolts and bespoke Pirelli Trofeo R tires.
The fastest production SUV at Pikes Peak is actually 25 millimeters (nearly an inch) longer than before after making changes to the front and rear bumpers. Changes to the roof-mounted spoiler have also been made and include carbon fiber fins derived from the Aventador SVJ to help increase rear downforce by 38 percent. Overall, downforce is up 8 percent compared to the non-Performante spec.
As standard, the Urus Performante has an Akrapovic exhaust and plenty of carbon fiber trim, including a lower rear bumper and diffuser. There’s also a new differential to help distribute torque more efficiently, along with a faster rear-wheel steering system. For a more hands-on feel, Lamborghini has also recalibrated the front-wheel steering.
Beyond the usual driving modes, the Urus 2023 adds Rally for better performance on dirt roads. The anti-roll and damping systems are reconfigured to handle tougher surfaces and increase the SUV’s versatility as demonstrated by the adventurous ST-X concept unveiled a few years ago.
The interior is largely the same, but we have to mention the new hexagonal seat stitching, Dark Package, and revised graphics for the driver display and infotainment touchscreen. As before, there are plenty of customization options through the Ad Personam program, including red doorknobs, bespoke side sills, aluminum accents, and plenty of leather and Alcantara options.
The Lamborghini Urus Performance 2023 starts at $260,676 in the United States. Interestingly, the Chinese market SUV will be limited to a lower 640 horsepower “for homologation reasons.”