Options goes on a thrilling ride on board the Lamborghini Huracan
Few cars get the pulse racing and the heart pumping as much as a Lam- borghini. And that’s just looking at one, not even driving it. I had waited a long time to get my hands on
the Huracan EVO rear-wheel drive. I was due to pick the car up the week before the “circuit breaker”, but this was put on hold while showrooms were closed. When I eventually got behind the wheel of the yellow beast, I was slightly scared that it wouldn’t live up to my high expec- tations built up over weeks of waiting.
Here’s a bit of background on this thrilling supercar. The Lamborghini Huracan is almost five years’ old and has a couple of variants including the Performante model. They come in both coupe and roadster form. And it now has a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) option, which some buyers prefer. The Huracan EVO is powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter, V10 engine that gets you from 0 to 100kph in a blistering 3.3 seconds. The engine is a beast that produces 610hp and 560Nm of neck-breaking torque.
Apart from its rear-wheel-drive capabilities, there are a few other differences this model has compared to the Huracan EVO’s all-wheel-drive sibling. These include larger framed front air intakes, along with a new front splitter and vertical fins. The whole package will set you back a shade under $1 million ($998,000) and that’s without the COE and optional extras.
While that engine is more than enough power to leave anyone for dust, and hold
your own on the racetrack, it’s helped by a lighter body. This supercar has a hybrid chassis that integrates aluminium and carbon fibre, bringing its weight down to 1,389kg. Along with that, aerodynamics have also been improved, if that’s actually possible. The changes include a slot- ted rear-deck lid spoiler that helps gen- erate seven times more downforce than the standard Huracan. A pronounced rear diffuser adds to the increased downforce. While improving aerodynamics and improving handling, they also look great.
It’s hard to put into words the boyish excitement I feel when I see a Lamborghini and how remarkable they have kept improving its looks. The Huracan did have its critics when it was first launched but the designers have worked hard to smooth out its edges. The col- our range has also been widened and there’s a new option of Giallo Belenus (yellow) although this will set you back $80,000. It has been developed to pair up with a dedicated leather and Alcan- tara interior trim, which looks stunning. That was the cockpit I was greeted with during my test-drive.
The interior has been largely unchanged, except for the addition of a new 8.4-in infotainment display which also controls all the car’s functions. These days it’s all about connectivity and the Huracan EVO gets Apple CarPlay with smartphone integration. On the steering wheel, you have three driving modes to choose from: Strada, Sport and Corsa. Strada is the default mode and pro-
A naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre, V10 engine gets the supercar from 0 to 100kph in 3.3 seconds flat
vides the most pleasant drive thanks to a smooth dual-clutch gearbox. Then there is Sport and Corsa but these are better suited for the track. Corsa is the most racecar-like and requires the driver to shift gears manually, something I didn’t attempt on my test drive.
Some people may be put off from buying a supercar by its power and size. But Lamborghini is making great strides to make its cars more user-friendly for non-petrol heads and for more “everyday use”. Yes, it takes a little while to get used to the low seating position, and all that raw power, but you soon adapt to this unique driving experience. It also teaches you to go over speed bumps very slowly.
To help matters, the EVO is also equipped with Lamborghini’s Dinami- ca Veicolo Integrata (LDVI), which can best be described as the car’s brain. It controls the car’s dynamic systems and set-up while anticipating the driver’s next move. “The Huracan EVO rear-wheel drive puts the car in the driver’s hands: the driving experience is delivered by the hardware,” says Stefano Domenicali, the chairman and chief executive of Automobili Lamborghini.
That may not sound that appealing but he means that the car thinks for itself freeing you up to focus on the experience of driving a powerful supercar. The Hura- can is aimed at newcomers to the brand and Lamborghini says this new model has been “engineered for driving fun” and I wouldn’t argue with that. It was a thrill-a-second test drive on so many levels. Only one word to describe the power and speed available, the amazing shape and style of this yellow beast, the countless selfie opportunities, and also the reactions of other drivers and pedestrians when they saw the car: Priceless.
Lamborghini Huracan Evo
$798,000 excluding COE Engine: 5204cc, 40-valves, V10 Power/torque: 610hp/560Nm Fuel consumption: 13.8L/100km 0-100kph: 3.3 seconds
Top speed: 325kph
