Lamborghini Urus Performante

We’ve tried the sportier Urus on track already. Now for the road…

THUMP! AIRBORNE OUT OF THE SEAT. Twist! The steering writhes with torque steer. Whoa! An actual stab of corrective lock needed there. This is the first time we’ve sampled the Urus Performante on the public highway, and on this particularly bumpy bit of Cambridgeshire B-road, I’m starting to see why it felt so good when we drove it on track at Vallelunga last year: it’s seriously firm. And this is in the softest Strada mode…

Admittedly, we’re on slimy roads in bitterly cold, near-zero weather on summer tyres, which explains the shortfall in grip. But this is a 4x4 after all, and the also-all-wheel-drive Fast Fleet Skoda Superb Sportline I drove to the photoshoot felt far grippier and more confidence-inspiring (and far better over the bumps too). I have a nagging feeling I probably covered ground quicker in that car than in the 657bhp Performante, and that an Aston Martin DBX 707 offers more rounded on-road handling.

All that aside, the Urus Performante does feel much more precise, less wallowy than the Urus S. More Lamborghini, really. Which extends to the bodywork, with lighter panels, extra cooling and drag-reducing surfacing, which is a bit specsensitive. Giallo Inti with visible carbonfibre is a bit much for me, as is the car generally on the road.

But there’s no denying, it is exciting, is an event to drive. Super-suvs are nonsensical cars by nature, but for a buyer who wants the most super of super-suvs, the Performante weirdly makes the most sense of them all.

Engine V8, 3996cc, twin-turbo Power 657bhp @ 6000rpm Torque 627lb ft @ 2300-4500rpm

Weight 2150kg (310bhp/ton) 0-62mph 3.3sec

Top speed 190mph Price £209,000

+ Dynamically superb on track - Unexpectedly hard work on the road

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