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Lamborghini Urus Performante 2023: Review of Jalopnik


Lamborghinis are meant to be wild, exotic and aggressive. They weren’t supposed to be practical or comfortable – or at least they weren’t until Lamborghini introduced them SUV Urus.

My takeaway with the Urus (aside from its looks) has always been that it feels more like a traditional German SUV than a Huracan or Aventador. So when the brand announced Urus Performante is strongerI was hoping that it would close this gap.

Spoiler alert: It doesn’t.

Full disclosure: Lamborghini really wanted me to drive a 2023 Urus Performante, they sent a company to my house to drive one over the weekend with a full tank of gas.

Engine compartment of Lamborghini Urus Performante 2023

Image: Kyle Hyatt/Jalopnik

The Urus Performante is an incredible machine with a completely aggressive look and excellent road manners. In many ways, it’s everything you want from a 657hp super SUV. But the important thing is, it still doesn’t look like it came from Sant’Agata.

Like Regular UrusPerformante is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo platform shared with Audi Q7/Q8, Bentley Bentayga, porsche cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg. Its engine isn’t unique to the Urus either, but the Audi-sourced twin-turbo V8 is such a favorite that it’s easy to slip it. Performante also has an Audi eight-speed automatic transmission version. The highlight of the powertrain is the Performante’s unique (and standard) titanium Akrapovic exhaust, which not only helps the engine breathe, but also produces an epic roar. The Performante also comes with all-wheel drive, but with a more aggressive differential than the Audi Q8 with Quattro.

Two titanium exhaust tips on Lamborghini Urus Performante 2023

From Estonia, with love.
Photo: Kyle Hyatt/Jalopnik

Although the Performante’s powertrain is more or less similar to the Urus S, the chassis has some significant changes. The biggest issue was the switch from air suspension to a steel coil spring setup. This may seem like a step backwards for a more expensive car, but in addition to making the ride height 0.86 inches lower than the Urus S, the steel springs are more stable, making the SUV easier to ride. Drive more at the limit.

This move has the downside of making the Performante a bit less luxurious than the Urus S on the road, but the driving is still surprisingly good (pun intended) for something this performance-focused. . The Performante’s track is also 0.6 inches wider than the base car, which has the benefit of making the SUV more stable in corners. Other chassis changes include wheels that are 14 pounds lighter than those on the Urus S, as well as large carbon-ceramic brakes at all four corners. The front rotors have an almost ridiculous diameter of 17.3 inches, and the rear rotors measure 14.6 inches with 10-piston calipers and one piston respectively.

23-inch wheels on Lamborghini Urus Performante 2023

It’s 23-inch wheels, for reference.
Photo: Kyle Hyatt/Jalopnik

Lamborghini has come a long way to help the relatively pig-like Urus reduce weight for the Performante version. In addition to the aforementioned wheels, the total weight savings of 108 pounds comes from the extensive use of carbon fiber in places like the hood, front fenders and optional carbon roof. Without driving the two Urus models back-to-back, I can’t say for sure that this diet makes a difference, but given the Performante’s 4,739-pound weight, I’d be inclined to say no.

Where the reworked carbon body panels make a difference is in the performante’s appearance. The lower stance, combined with the vented carbon roof and carbon fenders, makes the Urus look less like a half-baked nightmare originating from Mansory and like a cohesive design effort. It’s not pretty or elegant by any means, but I personally find it less of an eyesore. Lamborghini claims that the new bodywork increases downforce by 38% compared to the Urus S, but along with the weight reduction, that’s not something you might find as off-putting.

The underside of the carbon fiber hood of the Lamborghini Urus Performante 2023

Those are real air vents in the carbon fiber hood.
Photo: Kyle Hyatt/Jalopnik

Inside the Performante, things start to look a little more promising. As you’d expect, this luxury variant adds all sorts of Alcantara everywhere, from the dashboard to the seats to the odd paddle-like reverse gear lever. The effect is quite “Lamborghini” in that this is the car’s best association with the Huracan and Aventador. The Dedicated Performer Seat looks like it will be extremely active, supportive but ultimately uncomfortable, but fortunately this is not the case, even after a long period of traffic jams. Still, the fact remains: There’s nothing in the Performante’s cabin like it belongs in a $300,000 car up north.

The rest of the ergonomics are a bit mixed. While the driver’s seat offers plenty of adjustment to keep me from getting dizzy (which doesn’t mean I’m 6 feet 4), taller passengers aren’t so lucky. Furthermore, even the 5-foot-8-tall rear passengers find themselves lacking in headroom. The cargo area is decent, at least 21.7 cubic feet, especially given the Urus’ strong pitched roofline.

Cockpit of Lamborghini Urus Performante 2023

It’s Audi more than anything, but it’s still a great place if you don’t think about the price.
Photo: Kyle Hyatt/Jalopnik

Considering the Urus’ Audi-based roots, the electronics package is pretty good – a major advantage of sharing this platform. The MMI-based infotainment system offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Bowers & Wilkins stereo is pretty good, if not spectacular, and is essentially the same equipment found in those cars. Other premium Audis like RS6 Avant. Overall, the infotainment system responds reasonably well, but the Lamborghini-designed skin on the Audi hardware doesn’t really make things any better in any way.

Tied to the Audi platform, the safety tech in the Urus Performante is better than what you’d normally find on a Lamborghini. Things like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and active lane-keeping assist are standard.

Audi's MMI-based infotainment screen on the Lamborghini Urus Performante 2023

Photo: Kyle Hyatt/Jalopnik

So while the Urus Performante is much better on the road than I expected, I can’t imagine why you would buy one. Unfortunately for the Urus, cars like the Audi RS Q8 and Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid offer similar performance for a lot less money, and while those won’t make you feel like a drive a Lamborghini, but so does the Urus, especially if you’ve driven something like the Huracan.

My test car was as close to the ideal performante spec I could ask for, with a pearl white paint job, dark interior and upgraded wheels. But with a list price of $313,880 including a $1,300 gas tax and a $3,995 destination fee, that doesn’t sit well with me, even as a Lamborghini buff. If you absolutely must have a Raging Bull on the hood of your family trailer, the Urus Performante is an incredibly fast and efficient SUV that will work in all weather and look like nothing else. other on the road. Just don’t expect it to feel like a proper foreign Italian.

rear three-quarter view of a white Lamborghini Urus Performante 2023

Photo: Kyle Hyatt/Jalopnik

front view of a white Lamborghini Urus Performante 2023

Photo: Kyle Hyatt/Jalopnik

Rear image of a white Lamborghini Urus Performante 2023

Photo: Kyle Hyatt/Jalopnik

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