Lamborghini has unveiled the Urus SE Performante, an 800bhp super-SUV that pairs the Urus SE's plug-in hybrid powertrain with new active air suspension and advanced sensor technology. The Italian manufacturer claims the new model is both more thrilling and more sensible than the purely petrol-powered Performante it replaces, combining explosive performance with improved efficiency and comfort.
At the heart of the SE Performante is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine working alongside an electric motor, producing a combined 801bhp at 6000rpm and 590lb ft of torque from the engine alone. The hybrid system delivers an additional 356lb ft from the electric motor. Power is sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The result is a 0-62mph time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 194mph. A 25.9kWh battery mounted under the boot floor provides a 37-mile electric-only range and enables an 81mph top speed in electric mode, allowing the car to cruise through town and onto the motorway without waking the engine.
The new model introduces Lamborghini's 'Aura' dual-chamber air suspension, supported by a '6D' drive computer positioned near the car's centre. This system measures six physical parameters: acceleration forward, sideways and rearward, plus the angular velocities of pitch, roll and yaw. Together with four additional corner sensors, it allows the chassis to predict rather than merely react to road and track behaviour. Lamborghini says the technology contributes to a 50% reduction in body roll and a two-metre reduction in the car's 124-0mph braking distance. The suspension is also said to make the Urus's Rally drive mode more entertaining than before.
Aerodynamic revisions play a significant role in the SE Performante's improved performance. A larger front splitter sits beneath a wider grille shaped to reduce lift and force more air over the engine. S-duct air intakes, Naca ducts and bodywork slits help cool components including the carbon-ceramic brakes. Prominent side skirts, a bigger rear spoiler and a new rear wing work together to generate downforce. Although the rear contributes to the car's muscle, the front generates most of the 14% increase in downforce. Crucially, these changes also enable a 3% reduction in aerodynamic drag, making the SE Performante more slippery through the air than its predecessor.
The car's tracks have been stretched by 16mm, making it wider on the road, while new 22-inch and 23-inch wheels enhance its stance under carbonfibre wheel arches. The boosted body control from the air suspension allowed engineers to pursue more mechanical grip. On the Vairano di Vidigulfo proving ground near Milan, the SE Performante demonstrated enormous grip on both axles, feeling eager to turn yet stable at speed. In Sport mode, the hybrid system's instantaneous torque enables on-throttle rotation and a satisfying sense of the outside rear wheel being pressed into the Tarmac. The car corners flat without feeling numb or floaty, and it even lifts an inside front wheel through tighter corners.
Beyond performance, the same hardware delivers better comfort and efficiency. A stint in the back seats over rough support roads suggested the ride should be much better than the old Performante. The ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox feels smarter, achieving quicker shifts under hard driving and smoother ones when cruising. The SE Performante is expected to be priced at around £220,000, positioning it against rivals such as the BMW XM Label and Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé GT. With more power, agility and efficiency, Lamborghini's hottest SUV appears to be better in every way.