Meet the quickest SUV on the planet.

Although renowned agriculturalist and ex-Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson deployed this line somewhat casually, it fits the Lamborghini Urus perfectly - a bold luxury family hauler tuned for an electronically capped maximum velocity of 312km/h.

The forthcoming Urus SE Performante leaves that figure untouched. It instead delivers a tighter, more incisive and focused development, built to deliver blistering pace not just in a straight line but also on circuits and in mall parking areas alike.

Prior to its Australian arrival next year, we headed to Italy to try a production model at Vairano Proving Ground.

How much does the Lamborghini Urus cost?

Exact figures remain unknown, since pricing will probably surface nearer the SE Performante's local arrival, slated for early to mid-2027.

Lamborghini has suggested a roughly 10 per cent increase above the standard Urus SE - now listed at $457,834 before on-road costs - so an opening price near the $500,000 region seems likely.

That is substantial, yet still well below the Ferrari Purosangue at $839,992 before on-road costs.

Models closer in price yet lower in top speed include the related Bentley Bentayga Speed at $513,600 plus on-road costs and the Aston Martin DBX S at $475,000 before on-road costs, each carrying comparable prestige.

Those seeking strong performance without the spotlight can consider the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT and Audi RSQ8, which share the same platform as the Urus but cost considerably less.

What is the Lamborghini Urus like on the inside?

Corsa-Tex and carbon-fibre everywhere.

Lamborghini's Alcantara equivalent lines the headliner, doors, dash, seats, wheel and console, while the sector's go-to lightweight material also appears prominently in front of the driver.

Red honeycomb stitching, darker trim and embroidered seat lettering further distinguish the SE Performante.

The result is unmistakable from a regular Urus or any rival SUV. The SE Performante stays fully focused on track-ready family transport and therefore feels genuinely distinctive inside.

It also feels opulent, with nearly every surface soft to the touch, even areas usually overlooked below the waistline. The materials justify the outlay.

On the seats and wheel the Corsa-Tex adds real grip and control that smooth leather cannot match.

The driver-centric layout shows in the ergonomics. Both front seats provide extensive adjustment, including bolster firmness, so finding the ideal driving position is straightforward. The steering column also reaches farther than most, letting the driver sit comfortably.

Seat ventilation remains optional when it ought to be standard, especially in Australia's climate, though comfort is not the main goal here.

Comfort still ranks reasonably high. Despite its bold appearance inside and out, the Performante is at least as usable every day as the standard SE.

The infotainment now runs quicker software and graphics drawn from the Revuelto supercar. Beyond the busy hexagons the menu stays fairly logical and shallow.

Climate controls sit on a separate lower screen that is simple to use and offers haptic response.

The digital cluster mirrors the centre screen with updated themes that change according to the selected drive mode. Both displays include Performante-specific telemetry for tracking lap times in real time.

Gear selection and mode changes gain flair from fighter-jet-style switches on the console, though many other buttons come from Audi stock.

That is easy to overlook once you notice the Urus matches its platform siblings for cabin space.

Front storage is generous and the rear offers about 40 inches of legroom, comparable to other large SUVs on the Volkswagen Group MLB Evo platform and the DBX. Headroom is slightly tighter.

Boot space is also reduced by the battery under the floor. The original Urus provided 616 litres, while current plug-in hybrids are limited to 454L.

Dimensions	Lamborghini Urus SE Performante
Length	5117mm
Width	2181mm (incl. mirrors)
Height	1638mm
Wheelbase	3003mm
Cargo capacity	454L - rear seats up 1596L - rear seats folded

What's under the bonnet?

The prominent, vented carbon-fibre bonnet conceals a proven 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 delivering 456kW and 800Nm, while an electric motor between the engine and eight-speed torque-converter automatic adds 141kW and 483Nm.

Specifications	Lamborghini Urus SE Performante
Engine	4.0L V8 twin-turbo petrol
Engine outputs	456kW 800Nm
Electric motor outputs	141kW 483Nm
System outputs	597kW 1000Nm
Battery	25.9kWh
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Drive type	All-wheel drive
Weight	2473kg
0-100km/h (claimed)	3.3 seconds
Fuel economy (claimed)	5.7L/100km
Electric driving range	60km
Fuel tank capacity	85L
Fuel requirement	95-octane premium unleaded
CO2 emissions	140g/km
Emissions standard	Euro 6

Those outputs match the Urus SE, yet combined system figures rise by 9kW and 50Nm thanks to calibration changes.

The Performante also gains a titanium Akrapovič exhaust that weighs 10kg less than the standard system.

Overall, Lamborghini has cut 32kg from the SE, mainly via widespread carbon-fibre use. The Performante therefore carries more carbon-fibre parts than any other production SUV.

Underneath, this second Urus Performante replaces fixed coils with a new AURA dual-chamber air suspension said to halve body roll and cut vibrations by 25 per cent. It should therefore deliver sharper handling or greater comfort depending on settings.

The benefit extends beyond tarmac, since ride height can rise by up to 70mm for light off-road use. A new Rally mode assists here too.

At the core sits a fresh 6D sensor borrowed from the Fenomeno hypercar. Mounted near the centre of gravity, it tracks longitudinal, lateral and vertical acceleration plus pitch, roll and yaw. It works with eight extra accelerometers around the vehicle to feed live data to the chassis and brake controls.

In short, it is an advanced dynamics computer that constantly calculates inputs to limit pitch and roll while keeping the car on its chosen path.

How does the Lamborghini Urus drive?

The SE Performante is best viewed as a supercar on stilts.

No SUV has ever left me without words for its dynamics, let alone one this large, yet every rule has an exception and the Performante is it.

Our session was short and tightly managed - 15 minutes circulating Vairano's compact, demanding handling circuit behind a cautious pace car.

Even so, the composed agility of this 5.1-metre machine is extraordinary.

Approaching the first of many 90-degree corners I turn the wheel and anticipate lag, body movement or understeer. None appears.

Instead the Performante turns in crisply, rear-wheel steering guiding it cleanly through the apex while staying perfectly balanced. Confidence rises quickly.

A series of fast alternating bends follows, where body lean is almost absent. Although G-forces build inside the cabin the chassis stays composed thanks to the sophisticated electronic systems.

The large Pirelli tyres also stay composed under pressure and maintain strong grip without complaint, at least while new.

Through these curves the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the fronts to lengthen the wheelbase and boost stability.

After that neck workout it is time to test the brakes - carbon-ceramic discs measuring 440mm at the front and 410mm at the rear. They prove powerful and easy to modulate thanks to a firm, responsive pedal.

Lamborghini claims the new SE Performante can stop from 200km/h in seven metres less than its lighter predecessor, while brake cooling improves by eight per cent to reduce fade during repeated stops.

Continuing the lifted-supercar theme, the SE Performante shows little nose dive under heavy braking, defying its high centre of gravity while delivering quick downshifts.

Lifting off the brake I choose a racing line into another tight right-hander and the front end turns with little resistance. Few SUVs offer steering this quick, well-weighted and satisfying.

Through the next wider corner I apply more throttle and the Performante shows a playful side. In Corsa mode it rotates readily on power, happy to slide the rear without becoming unruly. A serious machine with a fun streak.

After straightening the tail the track opens briefly, allowing full throttle. Response is instant and peak torque of 1000Nm arrives from 2250rpm right up to 5500rpm, so the SE Performante pulls strongly, pressing you into the seat with little interruption from the recalibrated eight-speed automatic.

Even with the upgraded Akrapovič exhaust the sound is not as loud as expected from inside. Much of the noise is synthesised through the speakers, hinting that stricter noise rules may have dulled some of the V8's natural character.

To be fair the quad pipes emit a pleasing idle burble, and time was too short to explore how much extra character the different modes add. Initial impressions suggest the more refined Bentayga Speed is comparably vocal.

In Corsa mode the clever air suspension balances ride and handling well. The steeply kerbed chicane at the end of the penultimate straight barely unsettles the chassis, and the optional 23-inch wheels with low-profile tyres do not punish the driver unduly.

In softer modes the SE Performante should feel quite compliant on public roads.

Out of the chicane it is back on the power to cross the start-finish line, after which several more laps follow before the session ends. The car remains consistent throughout, with no notable shortcomings appearing.