Lamborghini is preparing to update its high-performance Urus Performante SUV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, confirmed by recent spy shots. The facelifted model will retain its aggressive styling while adding electrified muscle, though the move raises questions about weight gain.
Aggressive Styling Refinements
The updated Urus Performante retains the signature aggressive front fascia, with prominent air intakes that are now more exposed. New daytime running lights, featuring a hairpin design rather than the previous Y-shape, are also visible. At the rear, a subtle mini ducktail spoiler has been added to the tailgate, sharpening the profile without mimicking the extreme wings seen on Lamborghini’s supercars.
Hybrid Confirmation
Charging port placement on the rear quarter panel confirms the integration of a plug-in hybrid system. The powertrain is expected to mirror that of the Urus SE, combining a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with a 25.9 kWh battery and an integrated electric motor. This setup currently delivers a combined 789 horsepower, exceeding the 657 hp of the current Performante.
Performance vs. Weight Trade-Off
While hybrid power will increase output, it will also add weight. The original Performante was lauded for shedding over 100 lbs to achieve a curb weight of 4,740 lbs. The hybrid hardware will likely push the new model closer to the 5,510 lbs of the Urus SE. This raises concerns about handling and braking performance, despite Lamborghini’s efforts to tune the chassis and reduce weight elsewhere.
The trade-off between increased power and added weight is a key challenge for Lamborghini. While the hybrid system will enhance acceleration and efficiency, it risks diminishing the Performante’s agility.
Lamborghini may choose to tune the hybrid system for slightly more power than the Urus SE, but it will likely prioritize chassis improvements over raw horsepower gains to maintain the Performante’s aggressive driving dynamics. The final outcome will determine whether the hybrid upgrade enhances or detracts from the SUV’s hardcore image.
