The 2027 Lamborghini Urus SE Peformante benefits from more power, lighter weight, and improved dynamicsLamborghiniI recently had an opportunity to speak with the Chief Marketing and Sales Officer from Lamborghini, Federico Foschini. He spoke to me about the new Lamborghini Urus SE Performante, which is the most recent, most powerful and most capable version this super SUV yet.While the Lamborghini Urus has been around since 2017, the latest SE Peformante enhances the recently electrified Urus with more power, lower weight and superior aerodynamics. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, electric motor, and 25.9 kWh battery combine for 800 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, peak increases of 11 hp and 37 lb-ft.The 4.0-liter V8 combine with an electrid motor to create 800 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torqueThose upgrades are combined with a carbon fiber hood, front and rear bumpers, wheel arches, side skirts, and rear spoiler, plus a carbon fiber Akrapovic exhaust system. These lightweight components improve the Urus SE Performante's power-to-weight ratio while aerodynamic upgrades produce 22% more downforce and improved engine and brake cooling. The active air suspension can now separate compression and expansion activity to improve both and widen the Urus SE Performante's comfort and performance envelope across different driving modes.The latest Urus SE Performante features carbon fiber body panels and an upgraded suspensionWe spoke with Federico Foschini about what drove these specific improvements and how they represent Lamborghini's philosophy of SUV performance for 2027 and beyond.The Urus SE Performante features a steerign wheel with arbon fiber inserts and contrast stitchingKarl Brauer: Federico, thank you for joining us. Tell us first what you think are the key components of the upgrades you've made. What is the most important thing you wanted to achieve with this Urus SE Performante?Aerodynamic improvemnts include a carbon fiber roof spoiler for increased downforceAdvertisementAdvertisementFederico Foschini: Our aim was, on one side, to raise the bar again and set a new level in terms of performance and driving dynamics. On the other side, it was also to maintain and improve the comfort of the car, combining those two dimensions.The philosophy of the Urus since its launch has been to offer the body and characteristics of an SUV—meaning the roominess, comfort and luggage capability of an SUV—while, at the same time, providing supercar performance and driving fun. That has been the secret of the success of this vehicle.It has been a benchmark since day one, but we have never stood still. We always want to improve our products with every model. With this version, we especially wanted to concentrate on creating the best SUV possible, mainly driven by increased performance and improved driving dynamics.Unique "Performante" script on the Urus's seat are among the SUV's interior upgradesKarl Brauer: What I love about the Urus is that it's something you can use every day. For those who own Lamborghinis or other vehicles, once you've driven one, the experience is very special.AdvertisementAdvertisementI think you've expanded on that by making it, I will say, sexier, with more carbon fiber, a bolder look and more performance. Can you tell us a little about the forces driving these upgrades and how they have improved over the previous generation?The Urus SE performante cabin features "Corsa Tex" trim and a 12.3-inch touchscreenFederico Foschini: Yes, for sure. On one side, you can feel all the new features we have introduced when it comes to the suspension, with the dual-chamber air suspension, but also the increased power and what we have done with lightweight materials to reduce the vehicle's weight.On the other side, we have also increased the comfort compared with the previous Performante. That was a little bit of a pain point because, with that model, we had to compromise on comfort to obtain the maximum performance, driving dynamics and handling capability.In this case, we were able to improve both dimensions. I have to say that personally driving this car is something completely unbelievable. Just by changing the driving mode, you can experience different kinds of emotion, comfort, precision and handling behavior.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt gives you something that, at the moment, has never been presented in the market by anyone.A more advanced suspension means improvements to both handillng and comfortKarl Brauer: You talked about—or I've seen—that you're going to have Rally mode, as you already had on the previous version of the Performante.I'm curious because, now that this is an electrified version, Federico, I'm assuming you can further enhance that experience. When you have an electric drivetrain, you can have instant torque, as we know, and you can apply that torque very precisely in terms of timing, throttle input and steering input.I'm assuming that, as much fun as the previous Performante was in Rally mode, this one is even more expressive and thrilling when you put it in that mode, particularly in terms of moving the car around, getting it to drift and doing those kinds of things.22-inch wheels wrap around carbon ceramic brakes to provide maximum stopping powerFederico Foschini: Yes, but this is also combined with the choices we already made with the Urus SE. It has been improved here because we changed the rear differential and combined it with the electric motor.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis gives you a lot of torque and power at the rear wheels and the rear axle. This is the maximum driving fun you can experience, especially when you are on gravel.You really feel the car pushing from behind, and the car can drift in a very easy way. But it is always under control because the car is designed for the driver. It is very easy to drive, but it is also very easy to enjoy this kind of experience.The carbon fiber hood adds both a functional and style component to the new Urus SE PerformanteKarl Brauer: Eight hundred horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. That has to be amazing to drive.The zero-to-60 time, if I understand correctly, is 3.3 seconds—in an SUV that you can drive year-round, because of course it's got an all-wheel-drive system. That's pretty impressive.The Lamborghini Urus SE Performante represents the highest level of performance yet for this Super SUVFederico Foschini: Yes, it is pretty impressive, but while you are driving it, it is also unbelievable to understand how easy this car is to drive and how safe and efficient the braking system is. If you go fast, you need to brake even faster, and you need consistent braking responsiveness.AdvertisementAdvertisementEverything is at the maximum in this car. For this reason, I'm not scared to say that you can also drive it daily.This is the best Urus ever designed and developed by our research and development team and Centro Stile. I think it will also be the best among the competition once it is in the market.The 2027 Lamborghini SE Performante will go on sale in early 2027Karl Brauer: This is great. If you missed any of this and you want to see what the car looks like, check out our YouTube channel, The Drive Car Show, and you can see this beautiful car—or go to your favorite Lamborghini dealer.You're saying the Lamborghini Urus SE Peformante is now the fastest SUV on the planet. It's the fastest SUV you can buy, with the numbers to back it up. Thank you for joining us.Federico Foschini: It was my pleasure. Thank you very much for the interview.This article was originally published on Forbes.com
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