We have seen the Lamborghini Huracan in a number of guises from the standard all-wheel-drive, rear wheel drive and spyder variants – the time has come to unveil the most potent yet – the 2018 Lamborghini Huracan Performante. The Performante takes over from the Gallardo Superleggera as the halo V10 offering from Lamborghini and this supercar is something very special indeed.
teasers of the car in camouflage have been circulated and discussed in depth, as has the contentious 6:52.01 Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time that makes the Huracan Performante the fastest production car ever to lap the fearsome circuit. What makes the Performante so fast? The majority of the car is constructed from a material based on a hybrid aluminum and carbon fiber frame. The Huracan Performante’s body is produced from aluminum and chopped carbon fibers in a resin, Forged Composite allows the creation of lightweight, complex geometrical shapes beyond that possible with traditional carbon fiber composite materials, while maintaining optimum stiffness.
The Performante features Forged Composite in structural components applied to the front and rear spoiler, the engine bonnet, rear bumper and aerodynamic diffuser, contributing to the car’s weight reduction of 40 kg.
Working with the reduced weight of the car are all new active aerodynamics named “Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva” (ALA). The ALA system comprises of the front spoiler built in a carbon forged frame with active flaps on the top exterior surface. The rear bonnet is designed around the air ducts to the rear wing as well as the wing pylons. Lamborghini’s Piattaforma Inerziale (LPI) controls the car’s electronic systems in ‘real time’ and works in harmony with the ALA system, activating the ALA system flaps in less than 500 milliseconds to ensure the best aerodynamic set-up of the car in varying conditions.
At the rear of the Performante, four ducts operate below the rear bonnet. The two central ducts are always open to allow underhood ventilation and exhaust cooling, while the two external ducts are connected to the rear wing. Stability is optimized in high speed cornering and full braking by creating 750% more verticle downforce than a Huracan coupé.
Taking inspiration from the Lamborghini Super Trofeo race cars, the design of the Huracan Performante is far more aggressive and intimidating than the car on which it is based. The revised front is “sophisticated and razor-blade sharp”, with the design of the air intakes and splitter giving the impression of incisors, reminiscent of a striking snake. The active aerodynamic front spoiler is clearly visible in Forged Composite. The front bumper has no grills emphasizing the race car feel.
Towards the rear the changes are just as significant with attention immediately being drawn to the huge rear wing. The sportiness of the Performante’s design is exaggerated by the high-mounted exhausts, similar to extreme sports motorcycles, which create a more direct connection with the engine. The rear diffuser in matt black is directly inspired by Lamborghini Super Trofeo race cars, in both appearance and function.
From the side, the matt black skirts lined with the Italian tricolore colors of the Performante’s Sant’Agata Bolognese birthplace on the doors is eye catching to say the least. Lightweight, Narvi 20” forged wheels, dedicated to the Huracán Performante, are painted in bronze are certainly set the Performate apart from the rest of the family.
The Huracan Performante features the most powerful V10 produced to date by Lamborghini. Outputting 640 hp (470 kW) at 8,000 rpm and producing 600 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, it is distinguished by a new bronze manifold that draws on the heritage of previous special edition engines such as the Diablo 30th Anniversary power plant. Engine fluid dynamics for both intake and exhaust have been optimized, as has the V10’s air intake system with reduced loss improving responsiveness.
The Performante weighs in at 1,382 kg dry, giving a weight to power ratio of 2.16 kg. Weight distribution front and rear is 43/57. 0-100 km/h is dispatched in 2.9 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h in 8.9 seconds, and braking from 100-0 km/h in 31 m. The top speed in 325 km/h. The car is not just fast in straight lines but around twists and turns too courtesy of a lot of tweaks and modifications. The Performante’s suspension system has been revised, reflecting the purpose as a track and performance-oriented car. The suspension has been vertically stiffened by 10% over the Huracan coupe, via both springs and bars, and roll stiffness improved by 15%. The stiffness of the radial and axial arm bushings has been improved by 50%, significantly enhancing lateral control of the car.
As you would expect, the Performante features a four-wheel drive system, the fifth generation Haldex system, and is tuned to maximize traction in all situations, working in conjunction with the ALA system and exploiting the new P Zero Corsa tires. The Anima Control System has also been tuned to allow for more differentiated driving characteristics.
As mentioned, the Huracán Performante is fitted with bronze 20” Narvi forged rims. 20” Loge forged rims with central lock are also offered. The Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, developed specifically for the Huracán Performante are standard fit. A high performance track tire, the Pirelli Trofeo R, with street homologation is also available for the Huracán Performante.
The interior of the Huracán Performante reflects the more extreme exterior of the car with its lightweight and aerodynamic purpose. Air vents, paddles, door handles and the center console are created from Carbon Composite. Comfort seats with the same trim are available as an alternative. The driver is informed of the active aerodynamics’ activities: not only through the car’s performance, but from the special ALA graphic in the dashboard display which shows when and how ALA is working, including aero vectoring.
Inside the Huracán Performante, the new digital cockpit displays are configurable depending on driving mode selected: Strada, Sport or Corsa, with a display dedicated to the ALA detailing data on downforce and drag. The new cockpit layout supports Apple CarPlay and its iPhone apps including the Lamborghini telemetry system, which allows the driver to record, replay and study his own performance.
Customers will take delivery of the Huracán Performante in Summer 2017 at a suggested retail price of EUR 195,040.00 excluding taxes.
