Honed for road and track, the Huracan Performante might well be Lamborghini’s finest hour. On track, its’ 6:52.01-minutes Nurburgring Nordschleife time held the production car record until weeks ago, having bested the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid hypercar.
With sophisticated active aerodynamics, 40kg weight reduction courtesy of forged composite carbon fibre components, 30HP increase and re-calibrated chassis and four-wheel-drive, it is sensationally swift, utterly committed through corners, focused and flattering.
| Key Features: | |
| Engine | 5.2L / V10 |
| Transmission | 7-speed automatic |
| Power | 640 Hp / 600 Nm |
| Top Speed | 325 km/h |
| Price | AED 1,008,000 |
Exterior
With razor sharp front splitter, open front ducts, dramatic rear wing, exposed carbon-fibre components, forward cabin and pinched waistline, the Performante is lithe, jutting, athletic and oozing with predatory tension.
Interior
Busy but intuitive, focused and exotic inside, the Huracan’s cabin features a guarded starter button, fixed gearbox paddle shifters, chunky steering wheel and better space, ergonomics, visibility and headroom than its Gallardo predecessor, but less than its Audi R8 cousin.
Drive
Mid-mounted for ideal, slight rear-biased weighting, the Performante’s sonorous 5.2-litre V10 is among the last great high-revving naturally-aspirated engines, with razor-sharp response and throttle control for dialing in exact power increments.
Pulling hard from idle and versatile in mid-range, the Performante’s 600 Nm peaks late at 6,500rpm and 640 HP arrives with searing intensity by 8,000rpm, as its acoustics coalesce from mechanical staccato to resonant metallic snarl, before hardening to wailing howl.
With four-wheel-drive digging into tarmac and active aerodynamics reducing resistance, the sensationally swift Performante dispatches 0-100km/h in 2.9-seconds and 0-200km/h in 8.9-seconds, en route to an over 325km/h top speed.
Bolt action rifle-like, its dual-clutch gearbox shifts with swift precision, while rear-biased four-wheel drive and limited-slip rear differential distribute power front and rear and left and right to most effectively translate power to momentum.
Connected and committed, the Performante’s handling is tidier, stickier and more focused. Controlled through electric motors and flaps, its’ advanced active aerodynamics direct air through the front and under the car, and via rear ducts and through its huge rear wing to reduce drag. When closed, it develops 750% more downforce than the garden-variety Huracan. Through corners, the wing becomes an aero vectoring system, selectively creating downforce on the inner rear wheel.
Turning in with immediacy, the Performante’s quick and precise steering keeps one connected, while staggered front 245/30R20 and rear 305/30R20 grip well and carbon ceramic disc brakes proved tirelessly effective.
Adaptive dampers and stiffer suspension provide taut body control, while escalating driving modes sharpen suspension, gearbox and throttle responses. Aero vectoring meanwhile allows one to easily and confidently carry speed through corners with phenomenal yet natural feeling and flattering road-holding.
Pros:
- Searing performance
- Tenacious grip
- Connected handling
Cons:
- Headroom
- Rear visibility
- No manual gearbox
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