Lamborghini's new Huracán that replaces the successful Gallardo, is a new-age, hi-tech approach to Lambo's four-wheel-drive V10 supercar formula. Immediately, it's much more attractive to look at in the flesh. That ground-hugging stance, the rakish nose and that slatted matte black engine cover make it look otherworldly.
Getting into the impossibly low-slung Huracán is an event in itself. You step in with your left leg and lower yourself in, much as you would in a go-kart. It's also very apparent; you are virtually sitting on the floor. Unlike a go-kart, however, there's a massive, hulking, ten-cylinder engine sitting right behind your back. In fact, it's pretty clear; there are the front wheels, there's you and there's the 602bhp V10 behind your back. You really do feel like you are sitting at the pointy end of a rocket here.
The military jet theme of the cabin is quite apparent too. There are toggle switches, and the car can only be fired up via what looks like a shielded bomb-release button. Even the vents look like fighter aircraft intakes. I hit ignition, and the motor just explodes into life, the screams from the exhausts sounding like it is spewing flames out the rear.
Challenge number one is getting out onto the highway; the access road is full of potholes, slush and bumps. This environment is more appropriate for off roaders!
Luckily, I can raise the nose by 40mm, and the Huracán, as a result, manages to clear all the obstacles thrown in its path. Of course, I baby the Lambo over them, but I'm still impressed with how well it has taken them.
The ride is also pretty unreal. Being a proper supercar, some amount of stiffness is expected, but the magnetorheological damper control system works well, so the ride is better than that of a Gallardo. Overall ride is so good, you can actually use this car every day!
The Huracán's new stiff carbonfibre and aluminium chassis helps and so does the new aluminium double wishbone suspension set-up. The new Lambo also gets an all-new twin clutch gearbox and a new four-wheel-drive system that is different from the mechanical Quattro-based unit in the Gallardo.
The road ahead finally improves. I pull the left paddle twice and mash the throttle to the floor; our backs are bent and the Huracán is flung forward like it is shot out of a giant cannon. And it’s not just that initial eye-popping surge of power; the Huracán delivers one long, sustained, seamless pull for the next 10 or 12 seconds. Just insane. And the soundtrack is pretty mental too. The burst of acceleration is accompanied by the demonic howl of the V10 screaming up the scale like there is no limit.
Lamborghini claims this car will do 0-200kph in 9.9 seconds, which is stupefyingly quick. And I have little doubt it will sail past the claimed maximum speed of 325kph. What helps it attain this performance is an 80kg lighter chassis, a faster, almost seamless, double-clutch ’box and of course, 602 bhp. The motor sounds so good I drop the windows to hear the exhaust wail. Giving this car everything feels just extra special.
The electric steering isn’t bursting with feel, but it's quite accurate, free of four-wheel-drive corruption, and its weight feels quite natural too. But while the all-wheel drive offers a leech-like grip on the road, allowing a lot of speed, the Huracán does not really shine when cornered really hard. Yes it feels more modern — it's much lighter on its feet, the engine and gearbox responses are deliciously immediate, and the motor feels like it is getting on cam earlier in the rev range but it does feel a bit numb on the limit.
Brilliant to look at, incredibly quick, loaded with technology and very useable in our conditions, the Huracán doesn’t just replace the Gallardo, it takes Lamborghini’s V10 supercar to an all-new level. It may not be the best handling car in its class and at Rs 3.43 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi), it is a bit pricey too, but you get plenty of car for your money. And then there’s the fact that Indian cars get powered seats, carbon ceramic brakes and even the nose lift function as standard. The Huracán’s trump cards, however, remain its manic acceleration and its heart-stopping looks, and for those, it’s unbeatable.
