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Thanks: MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE CARS 2024 Lamborghini Urus Performante Starting at: $ Highs: A high-performance SUV with actual off-road cred, decadent interior, as quick as a Lamborghini. Lows: Complex, heavy, carries a honkin' price tag. Verdict: The Urus combines the vicious performance of a Lamborghini with the capability of an SUV. Overview The Urus is Lamborghini's second SUV, following the “Rambo Lambo“ LM002, but it's not exactly a purebred Italian. It rides on the same platform as other elegant beasts of burden such as the Audi Q7, Q8, Porsche Cayenne, and the Bentley Bentayga. Even the 657-hp twin-turbo V-8 is made in Germany before getting shipped to Sant'Agata Bolognese, where the Urus is assembled. An upcoming hybrid powertrain will double down on the Urus's saddle of electronics. From its eight-speed automatic transmission to its Torsen center differential and torque-vectoring rear diff, the Urus is the most advanced mechanical bull around. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The Urus is powered by a 657-hp twin-turbocharged V-8. The Urus's engine burbles deeply when idling, and absolutely howls under full throttle. Permanent all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission conspire with all that power to enable fantastic acceleration. In our testing, the Urus went from rocketed to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and tore up the quarter-mile in 11.3 seconds at 121 mph. Likewise, Lamborghini estimates a top speed of 190 mph. The Urus feels athletic from behind the wheel, too, with quick steering and stable high-speed cornering. With air springs at all four corners, the Urus has adjustable ride heights based on its various drive modes. Standard carbon-ceramic brakes ensure that the Urus stops as well as it goes—braking from 70 mph to a stop in 149 feet. For drivers who want an even racier Urus, the new Performante model is the answer. It sits 0.8 inch lower and is claimed to 104 pounds lighter than the standard version. It's available with 23-inch wheels and super-sticky Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires. Plus, the Performante alone has a steel-spring suspension and a different center differential that sends more torque rearward than normal. The ultra-Urus also introduces a new Rally drive mode that's intended for unpaved surfaces. We tried it out during a prototype drive of the '23 Urus Performante, which was a lot of fun, but we doubt many owners will actually thrash their six-figure SUV on gravel-covered, off-road courses. If taken to the racetrack, we're happy to report that the Performante's myriad upgrades pay off by providing a snappier powertrain, more steering feedback, and a firmer ride. Plus, it proved to be 0.1 seconds quicker to 60 mph in our testing. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo Inside, occupants are treated to a dramatic cabin that's classic Lambo. Jet-fighter design cues abound, with the start button hiding beneath a red flip cover and the shifter looking like a jet's throttle. To the left of the shifter are levers that control the drive modes and allow customizable performance settings. There is plenty of faux-suede and carbon-fiber trim, while the infotainment system and reconfigurable gauges are straight out of an Audi. The back seat has good passenger space and can fit between two and three people depending on which seating configuration is selected. Interior cubby storage is highlighted by useful door pockets and a bin behind the floating center stack. The Urus also offers up to 22 cubic feet in its cargo area but that drops by 2 cubes with the optional rear bucket seats. Read More
