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The “Performante” tag is reserved for Lamborghini cars that push their own limits. Urus did it and did it well.
Story: Joshua Varghese
Photography: Lamborghini India
Lamborghini has survived as long as it has but change is inevitable. They are one of the last supercar manufacturers in the world to finally give up on the switch to a hybrid powertrain by 2024. Before that actually happens, though, every Lamborghini car sold gets the farewell it deserves, including the most relevant ones. to the Indian market and also the breadwinner of the brand. We’re in Bengaluru to drive the Urus Performante: the craziest iteration of the super SUV and also the last hurray before the hybrids arrive.
The change in style between the standard Performante and Urus is subtle. While the silhouette and shape remain the same, modifications have been made to improve aerodynamic efficiency and reduce weight. For the latter, several parts have been replaced with carbon fiber units, including the hood. The new titanium exhaust system also contributes to weight savings and, while not much to be seen, is still audible; loud and clear.
Changes in the cabin are very minimal because it is close to perfect. Modern smartphone connectivity options are available and the infotainment is equipped with a touch screen and high-quality sound system. The large dashboard and door panels are generously covered in alcantara, giving it a vibrant and premium feel. From the driver’s perspective, the word “cockpit” would be a good fit to describe the position; be the car stopped or at speed. A digital display with a different layout to suit the driving mode and a visually intimidating array of buttons on the center console easily convey the aggression of this Lamborghini. An experience that is only exacerbated when one slips into the contoured bucket seats and grips the race car-inspired steering wheel. Paddle-shifters stick out from behind the wheel like devil horns, hinting at their sinister potential. With all the advice strewn about, this is a cabin that urges drivers to start the car and go.
In traditional Lamborghini fashion, an airplane-style switch is used to start the car. The mode selected at that point makes all the difference between the soft grunt or the loud roar of the titanium exhaust. It’s hard to imagine that this Jekyll-and-Hyde performance is being supplied by the most powerful version of Lamborghini’s 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 petrol engine. On the Performante, it has been tuned to produce 666 hp (feels intentional) and 850 Nm of peak torque. Transmission duties are managed by an eight-speed automatic, but the Performante gets a new Torsen differential that sends more power to the rear wheels.
Ground clearance took a hit and the car is slightly lower than the standard model and also a bit wide. So, “Strada” mode (which makes the most sense) makes a lot of sense for people looking to familiarize themselves with the car’s dimensions and handling before trying to splash their money on pure thrills. Parent company Performante’s characteristics are most evident here and it behaves like a fast, easy-to-drive SUV by taking the “super” out of the equation. Throttle response is (relatively) gentle and torque arrives in gentle waves; accompanied by smooth gear shifts, a smooth soundtrack, easy steering and a comfortable ride quality.
When shifted to Sport, it feels like the Lamborghini bull just woke up from sleep and started pacing the arena. Steering became more direct and positive, suspension stiffened, gears held longer and shifted with less violence, the engine began to supply power and torque more aggressively, and the exhaust became louder with occasional pops and crunches. Having become familiar with the car, I feel this is the mode most people in India will eventually get used to, as it offers the right balance of maneuverability and excitement; the next mode is Corsa and once that button is flicked the bull is fully awake, angry and ready to attack.
With no history of driving supercars, nothing really prepares you for what follows. The full transformation into a super SUV is carried out with violence and aggressive intentions. Each driver input channel is on a hair trigger. The throttle is most responsive and the right foot used to unleash as much 666 hp as it dares to because it’s always lurking in the background, ready to go. Seated in the bucket seat, the driver is held securely in place while the car screams around the corner. It encourages one to drive fast with confidence. Rushing every gear into the red line becomes an addiction that is only heightened by the exhilarating tone of the exhaust also fully unleashed. However, it runs in the background as the driver is busy feeling the acceleration, deceleration and kick to the kidneys that each upgrade brings. If driven to the best of one’s ability, it can make one sweat even in an air-conditioned cabin. In the end, one needs to be grateful for the safety net offered by electronics. Their timely intervention is more important than it seems.
Rally mode is a new addition and specialty of the Urus Performante. Lamborghini hosted a dirt track experience for us to sample and with nothing to hold us back, the Performante is a different animal altogether. I would even venture to say that it was the most fun Lamborghini could offer on the runway. The steering sends plenty of feedback allowing one to feed in the opposite lock as needed to hold the slide through corners and the car pushes me to use as much available power as possible. The electronics work well in the background, allowing one to hold current if desired, cutting off only when it really matters, which makes it very lively on a dirt track. How many expensive SUVs are at home in the dirt?
One of the major contributors to the weight loss is the replacement of the air suspension with steel springs that still retain a certain degree of electronic adjustment. After my driving experience on the road and on dirt tracks, I can confidently say that the new settings allow the car to hold the road well and are well calibrated for each mode, the feedback richest being in “Corsa” and “Rally” modes. Pirelli P Zero tires complete the interface between brain and bitumen and they are as good as advertised. Along with ample traction on the road, they also do quite well on dirt tracks. Our test car was equipped with large 23-inch wheels and even so, ride quality was good enough for most of our road conditions. However, I believe 22 inch wheels are a better proposition.
The Lamborghini Urus Performante is priced at Rs 4.22 crore (ex-showroom) and, in this manic form, it sits comfortably in the space between the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and the Aston Martin DBX 707. The numbers speak for themselves—no doubt it is—but the best part about this Lamborghini is that its actions speak the loudest. While the Urus may be one step away from supercar purity, the Performante is a worthy successor to the legendary LM001 and LM002; A definite super modern SUV. I’d like to believe there’s an SV in the pipeline that can run a naturally aspirated V12 one last time.
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Also read: 2023 Honda City First Drive Review
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