Powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 paired with an electric motor, the Urus SE Performante develops 812 hp and 1,000 Nm.Automobili Lamborghini has pulled the wraps off the Urus SE Performante, the most powerful iteration of its super SUV yet, as the Italian marque doubles down on electrified performance while steering clear of a full-electric future for now.
Producing 812 hp and 1,000 Nm from a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the new flagship Urus introduces a dual-chamber air suspension, enhanced aerodynamics and a new Rally mode, while claiming a 0-100 kmph sprint in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 312 kmph.
Beyond the headline numbers, however, Lamborghini says the Urus SE Performante represents something more significant, a performance SUV that no longer forces customers to choose between razor-sharp dynamics and everyday comfort.
Speaking during an international media interaction attended by ETAuto, Federico Foschini, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at Automobili Lamborghini, described the new model as one of the rare instances where the company has managed to eliminate the traditional trade-off between performance and usability.
“This is one of the rare occasions where I can genuinely say there has been no compromise,” Foschini said.
“Normally, when you make a car sportier, you have to sacrifice comfort,” he explained. “With the previous Performante, we deliberately adopted a very stiff suspension because we wanted maximum precision. Customers accepted that because it was so rewarding to drive.”
The latest model replaces that setup with Lamborghini’s new dual-chamber air suspension, dramatically widening the chassis’s operating range.
“In Strada mode, the vehicle is actually more comfortable than the current Urus SE. But when you switch to Sport or Corsa, it becomes even more dynamic than the previous Performante,” he said. The SUV also introduces Rally mode, joining Strada, Sport and Corsa, aiming to give drivers greater versatility across both paved roads and loose surfaces.
Powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 paired with an electric motor, the Urus SE Performante develops 812 hp and 1,000 Nm. Extensive use of carbon fibre across the bodywork and a lightweight titanium Akrapovič exhaust reduce overall weight by 32 kg, helping the SUV achieve a class-leading 3 kg per hp power-to-weight ratio.
Aerodynamic revisions, including a redesigned front fascia, larger air intakes, an enlarged rear diffuser, and a bigger rear spoiler, are also said to have improved cooling efficiency and increased downforce, reinforcing the vehicle’s track-focused credentials.
No rush to go fully electric
That performance-first mindset has also prompted Lamborghini to revise its electrification roadmap.
The company originally planned to launch the next-generation Urus and its upcoming fourth model as battery-electric vehicles towards the end of the decade. However, after reassessing battery technology, customer expectations and EV adoption in the luxury segment, Lamborghini has decided to retain plug-in hybrid powertrains for both products.
“This is not a delay,” Foschini stressed. “It is a strategic reassessment based on facts, market analysis and customer expectations.”
According to him, current battery technology and demand patterns do not yet align with customers’ expectations for a Lamborghini super sports car.
India remains a long-term growth story
India also featured prominently during the interaction, with Lamborghini reaffirming its commitment to one of the fastest-growing ultra-luxury markets globally.
“We have increased our investment because we see significant potential in India,” Foschini said.
While he acknowledged uncertainty surrounding the country’s future taxation framework, he said the company remained optimistic about its long-term prospects.
“The only thing that is creating uncertainty for us is that the future taxation framework is not yet clear, and we are monitoring that carefully,” he said. “Nevertheless, we remain fully committed because there is tremendous appreciation for the Lamborghini brand in India.”
Foschini added that Lamborghini has consistently outperformed many rivals in recent years and continues to view India as a strategic growth market in Asia-Pacific.
As for the Urus itself, the company believes the SUV has evolved beyond competing with rivals.
“People are buying the Urus because it’s the Urus,” Foschini said, arguing that the model has effectively created “a segment within a segment” by combining the practicality of a genuine five-seat SUV with the performance and emotional appeal of a Lamborghini super sports car.
With the Urus SE Performante, Lamborghini is betting that customers no longer need to choose between comfort and capability, and that hybridisation, when done its way, can make a Lamborghini even more of a Lamborghini.
Electrified, yet unmistakably Lamborghini
The Urus SE Performante also reflects Lamborghini’s broader approach to electrification, treating hybridisation as a performance technology rather than a compliance exercise.
“We are the first super sports car brand to have all three models with hybrid powertrains,” Foschini said.
For Lamborghini, electrification serves two purposes: meeting increasingly stringent emissions regulations while enhancing performance.
“On one side, we have to comply with legislation and reduce emissions. But on the other side, we cannot compromise our DNA, which is driving dynamics, driving pleasure and performance.”
That philosophy explains why Lamborghini introduced the Revuelto not as a conventional plug-in hybrid but as an HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle).
“For us, hybridisation is not only about reducing CO₂ emissions or providing an electric driving range,” Foschini explained. “Much more importantly, it allows us to enhance performance. By combining our V12 with three electric motors, we have created a car that delivers even higher driving capability while preserving everything that makes a Lamborghini.”
