Lamborghini has unwrapped the refreshed Urus, giving its strongest-selling model the Performante badge, reducing its weight and uprating the V8’s peak power…

Italian firm Lamborghini has finally whipped the covers off its Urus Performante, with first customer deliveries of the facelifted “Super SUV” scheduled to take place before the end of 2022.

So, what’s new with Lamborghini’s best-selling model? Well, the big news is yet more power from the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, which now generates a heady490 kW (up 12 units) and an unchanged 850 Nm. The Urus Performante has furthermore lost 47 kg, resulting in what the Italian company bills as a “best-in-class” power-to-weight ratio.

The claimed 0-100 kph time falls three tenths to 3.3 seconds, matching the sprint time of the 500 kW Aston Martin DBX 707, while its top speed climbs one unit to 306 kph (interestingly, four units behind the AMG-powered British high-performance SUV). Lamborghini furthermore says the SUV’s aerodynamic efficiency has been improved, with overall downforce increasing by 8%.

Meanwhile, torque distribution has been “optimised” thanks to the fitment of anew differential, delivering a ratio increase from 3.16 to 3.4 in drive conditions and from 3.02 to 3.33 when coasting. Specially developed semi-slick Pirelli P Zero tyres (285/40 R22 up front and 325/35 R22 at the rear) have also been adopted for “increased versatility”.

The front-wheel steering has been recalibrated to “enhance the connection with the road”, while the rear-wheel steering gains increased turn-in agility, which is complemented by torque vectoring of the rear differential. The Sant’Agata Bolognese-based automaker has also re-engineered the drive modes (Strada, Sport and Corsa) as well as added a new Rally selection. Designed for high-speed gravel driving, the latter “amplifies” the Urus Performante’s oversteer character thanks to optimised anti-roll and damping systems.

Styling changes for the 25 mm-longer Performante (now measuring 5 137 mm from nose to tail), meanwhile, include a more prominent bonnet and front-bumper design. The bonnet (including the air outlet) is forged from lightweight carbon fibre and offered as standard in body colour or as an option in partially visible carbon. The roof is also optionally available in carbon fibre. Lamborghini claims the “extensive use” of composite materials makes the Urus Performante the vehicle with the “highest number of carbon-fibre parts in its segment”.

New front air-intakes deliver increased engine cooling while a redesigned air curtain draws more flow over the front wheels. Round back, the updated rear spoiler increases rear downforce by a claimed 38%. The chassis has been lowered by 20 mm, with a wheel track that is broader by 16 mm, over which wider carbon-fibre wheel arches frame new 22- or 23-inch lightweight wheels (with titanium bolts). The lower rear bumper and diffuser also ship standard in carbon fibre, with a lightweight titanium Akrapovič sports exhaust likewise included in the purchase price.

Inside, you’ll find Nero Cosmus black Alcantara as standard with a new hexagonal seat stitching design. In addition to a range of new cabin finishing options, Lamborghini has added a fresh HMI graphic, complete with a dedicated design for the Urus Performante.

“The Urus Performante takes the supreme performance and distinctive looks of Lamborghini’s ground-breaking Super SUV to the next level, retaining its luxurious versatility and delivering the most engaging driving experience: not only on road but in every environment, distinguished through an alluring design that denotes new benchmarks for driving dynamism in what is already a remarkable car,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini Chairman and CEO.

“The Urus set a new standard at its launch, taking Lamborghini’s design DNA and technological talent and delivering the world’s first Super SUV for a new era: the Urus Performante sets the bar even higher for the SUV segment.”