The hardcore version of Lamborghini’s Huracan offers a scintillating drive that other supercars have no hope of matching.
Launched in 2014 as a more powerful and useable follow-up to the successful Gallardo, the Lamborghini Huracan soon spawned drop-top Spyder and purist rear-drive models. The brutally powerful Huracan Performante, however, ups the ante even further.
The Performante brings to the table new lightweight technology, revised chassis and drive-line set-ups and a 30 BHP hike. But its real USP has to be its advanced active aerodynamics and aero vectoring.
The 1,382 kg Performante, which is built with lightweight aluminum and carbon-fiber construction, makes a 40kg reduction by using innovative forged composite carbon fiber components. Forged composite allows for more complex shapes than traditional carbon fiber construction methods, and is used for the low razor sharp front splitter and dramatically high rear wing, bonnet, rear bumper and elsewhere including structural components.
The Performante’s forged composite components are finished in naked gloss for exterior parts and interior trim panels. In conjunction with primal matt colors, this lends it a more exotic, hard-edged aesthetic.
The Huracan oozes athletic and predatory tension with low, wide and pinched waistline, forward cabin, and moody front and rear fascias. Its front-end has been redesigned with sharper, more aggressive shapes and open ducts to direct air through the front and under the car. The Performante’s sophisticated aerodynamic solutions include open rear vents, while rear ducts above the engine bay channel air through to its huge rear wing to reduce drag rear wing.
Controlled through electric motors and flaps, the Performante’s active aerodynamics serve to reduce drag for acceleration, or increase downforce by 750 percent over the garden-variety Huracan, when closed. More so, through corners, the Huracan’s rear wing becomes an aero vectoring system, whereby its active flaps selectively develop downforce on the inner rear wheel to deliver stickier, tidier and more focused handling agility and road-holding. Its sophisticated aerodynamics helped it clinch the world’s fastest production car Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time –at 6:52.01-minutes– from the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid hypercar.
Among the last remaining naturally aspirated supercars, the Huracan Performante’s improved and scintillatingly sonorous 5.2-liter V10 engine is mid-mounted for ideal, slightly rear-biased weighting. Pulling hard from idling and viciously through to its high-strung redline, it delivers razor-sharp response and throttle control to dial in exact power increments. Meanwhile, a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox with manual mode fixed paddle-shifters, decisively dispatches cog shifts with bolt-action rifle-like precision and concision.
Producing 442 lb/ft torque by 6500 rpm and 631 BHP at an intense 8000 rpm, the Performante is a 325 km/h high rev hero that rockets through 0-100 km/h and 0-200 km/h in 2.9 seconds and 8.9 seconds, respectively. It delivers 70 percent torque by just 1000 rpm. Meanwhile, its rear-biased four-wheel-drive and limited-slip rear differential distribute power front and rear, and left and right on the rear axle, to most effectively translate power to momentum.
Inside, it is distinctly sporty and exotic in design and materials, with chunky steering wheel, guarded starter button and body-hugging sports seats. It is more ergonomic and spacious than its predecessor although less than its Audi R8 cousin. Stable, and settled, it carries cornering speed with ease. Meanwhile stiffer suspension with improved vertical and roll control, and optional adaptive magnetic dampers allow one to tailor ride quality, along with steering, throttle, engine, and gearbox response modes.
Specifications
Engine: 5.2-liter, mid-mounted, dry sump, V10-cylinders
Gearbox: 7-speed automated dual-clutch
Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 631 (640) [470] @8000 rpm
0-100km/h: 2.9 seconds
Top speed: 325 km/h
Length: 4506 mm
Width: 1924 mm
Height: 1165 mm
Weight (distribution F/R): 1382kg (43/57%)
Steering: Electric-assisted rack & pinion
Suspension: Double wishbones, adaptive magnetic dampers
Brakes, F/R: Ventilated carbon-ceramic discs
Tires: 245/30R20 / 305/30R20
