• The Lamborghini Urus Performante will be available in the UAE next year, costing an estimated Dh1.15 million ($300,000). All photos: Lamborghini
    The Lamborghini Urus Performante will be available in the UAE next year, costing an estimated Dh1.15 million ($300,000). All photos: Lamborghini
  • The Performante ditches the standard Urus’s air suspension in favour of steel springs, which lower the chassis by 20mm.
    The Performante ditches the standard Urus’s air suspension in favour of steel springs, which lower the chassis by 20mm.
  • The Urus Performante is 47 kilograms lighter than its predecessor, which contributes to an improvement in its output.
    The Urus Performante is 47 kilograms lighter than its predecessor, which contributes to an improvement in its output.
  • Other changes include: more carbon-fibre body parts; front air-intakes for engine cooling; an air curtain to reduce drag; and bonnet vents for aero efficiency.
    Other changes include: more carbon-fibre body parts; front air-intakes for engine cooling; an air curtain to reduce drag; and bonnet vents for aero efficiency.
  • Optional Pirelli Trofeo R tyres are specially developed for the Urus Performante.
    Optional Pirelli Trofeo R tyres are specially developed for the Urus Performante.
  • The luxe cabin complements the visual pizzazz of the car's exterior.
    The luxe cabin complements the visual pizzazz of the car's exterior.

Lamborghini Urus Performante test drive: SUV is a galloping success ahead of UAE launch


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When Lamborghini — a brand synonymous with waist-high hypercars — rolled out the Urus SUV in 2018, naysayers were predictably sceptical.

The hulking machine simply wasn’t a Lambo, they argued. It would dilute the brand’s core values, they insisted.

Today, the company’s financial results prove adding an all-terrain member to its line-up was a canny move. The bigger, beefier Raging Bull has galloped ahead and now forms 60 per cent of the company's sales.

With thrusting sharp looks, and astounding straight-line pace and cornering agility, there’s little to fault in the Urus’s performance recipe. However, there’s always scope to up the ante — just as there are always willing buyers for newcomers, especially faster ones.

Cue the Urus Performante, which builds on the standard vehicle’s dynamism. Despite shedding 47 kilograms, it has gained muscle via subtle tweaks to its 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. The chassis and aero package have also been upgraded to yield a vehicle that’s quicker around a racetrack, yet not at the expense of day-to-day drivability.

Need for speed

Our first taste of the Urus Performante was at the dauntingly fast and undulating Nardo Handling Track in the south-eastern tip of Italy. After a few familiarisation laps, it became clear the 1.6-metre-tall SUV can be tipped into corners at speeds that barely seem credible for such a lofty chariot.

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Apart from being mind-bogglingly rapid, the Peformante is also forgiving and adjustable in the middle of a corner, so drivers of all levels can tap into a good chunk of its dynamic ability. Reassuringly, the mighty carbon-ceramic brakes also provide strong and consistent retardation.

A subsequent thrash around the Strada Bianca gravel track at Nardo reveals how fun the Performante is on rough surfaces. Engaging rally mode via the Tamburo driving mode selector loosens the electronic safety net, enabling the SUV to be flung around with surprising ease, as no more than wrist flicks are required to correct oversteer slides.

Tweaks and additions

Optional Pirelli Trofeo R tyres are specially developed for the Urus Performante. Photo: Lamborghini
Optional Pirelli Trofeo R tyres are specially developed for the Urus Performante. Photo: Lamborghini

Due to be released in the UAE early next year, the Urus Performante is expected to be priced at about Dh1.15 million ($300,000). It’s a sizeable outlay, but the new derivative is the beneficiary of a raft of upgrades, which barely leave any facet untouched.

The engine tweaks are the least significant element of the Perfomante’s upgrades as an Akrapovic exhaust system and remapped engine control unit boosts power from the standard vehicle’s 650hp to 666hp, while the peak torque figure of 850Nm remains unchanged.

Lamborghini claims the Urus Performante makes greater use of carbon-fibre composite body parts than any other SUV, as the bonnet, front and rear bumpers, splitter, wheel arch extensions and rear diffuser are all fabricated from the material. These components are the main contributors to the weight reduction, although the Performante is still not slight and comes in at 2.15 tonnes. It still comes in about 70kg lighter than Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo GT.

The Performante’s aero package includes new black front air-intakes, which deliver increased engine cooling, while a new air curtain draws airflow over the front wheels to reduce drag. Those vents in the bonnet aren’t merely for show, they extract hot air from the engine and also contribute to aero efficiency. A newly designed spoiler sits in the back, using carbon-fibre fins to increase rear downforce by 38 per cent, according to Lamborghini.

'The National' drove the Urus Performante in Italy. Photo: Lamborghini
'The National' drove the Urus Performante in Italy. Photo: Lamborghini

The Performante, rather unexpectedly, ditches the standard Urus’s air suspension in favour of steel springs to lower the chassis by 20 millimetres and increase stiffness by 90 per cent at the front and 51 per cent at the rear.

The wheel tracks have also been pushed out by 16mm, while the pumped guards are filled by either 22-inch or 23-inch forged alloys. Also unique to the Performante are specially developed Pirelli Trofeo R tyres.

Calling connoisseurs

Is the Urus Performante worth the extra spend over the regular model, which starts from Dh842,930 ($229,000)? For many, the answer might be no, as the latter is already searingly fast and brimming with character. But for those who simply must have extra zing and visual pizzazz in their car collection, the Performante is an absolute hoot.

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

Abu Dhabi GP Saturday schedule

12.30pm GP3 race (18 laps)

2pm Formula One final practice 

5pm Formula One qualifying

6.40pm Formula 2 race (31 laps)

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)

Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)

Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)

MATCH INFO

Day 1 at Mount Maunganui

England 241-4

Denly 74, Stokes 67 not out, De Grandhomme 2-28

New Zealand 

Yet to bat

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Primera Liga fixtures (all times UAE: 4 GMT)

Friday
Real Sociedad v Villarreal (10.15pm)
Real Betis v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Barcelona (8.15pm)
Levante v Deportivo La Coruna (10.15pm)
Girona v Malaga (10.15pm)
Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid (12.15am)
Sunday
Espanyol v Leganes (8.15pm)
Eibar v Athletic Bilbao (8.15pm)
Getafe v Sevilla (10.15pm)
Real Madrid v Valencia (10.15pm)

UAE jiu-jitsu squad

Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)

Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)

RESULTS

2.15pm Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m

Winner Shawall, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Majed Al Jahouri (trainer)

2.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner Anna Bella Aa, Fabrice Veron, Abdelkhir Adam

3.15pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner AF Thayer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

3.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m

Winner Taajer, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

4.15pm The Ruler of Sharjah Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh250,000 (D) 1,700m

Winner Jawaal, Jim Crowley, Majed Al Jahouri

4.45pm Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m

Winner Maqaadeer, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Tickets

Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.

Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.

THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species

Camelpox

Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.

Falconpox

Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.

Houbarapox

Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.

Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe

For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.

Golden Dallah

For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.

Al Mrzab Restaurant

For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.

Al Derwaza

For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup. 

How to vote

Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.

They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi

Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday) 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Museum of the Future in numbers
  •  78 metres is the height of the museum
  •  30,000 square metres is its total area
  •  17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
  •  14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
  •  1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior 
  •  7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
  •  2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
  •  100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
  •  Dh145 is the price of a ticket
UAE - India ties

The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China

Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion

The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India

Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first visited the UAE in August 2015

His visit on August 23-24 will be the third in four years

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016

Sheikh Mohamed was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2017

Modi will visit Bahrain on August 24-25

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Updated: October 13, 2022, 9:01 AM