Lambo unveils hardcore Huracan 07 | 03 | 2017
LAMBORGHINI REVEALED ITS track-focused Huracán Performante today at the Geneva Motor Show. The unveiling comes a week after a camouflaged version smashed the Nürburgring production car lap record. The car goes on-sale at Lamborghini Edinburgh in the summer, priced from £213,000.
The Huracán Performante lapped the iconic German circuit in 6min 52.01sec to carve 5.0s off the previous lap record held by the Porsche 918 Spyder.
Powered by a mid-mounted 5.2-litre V10, which delivers 631bhp and 443lb/ft of torque, it’s the most powerful engine of its type yet produced by Lamborghini. Official figures list a 0-62mph time of just 2.9s, 0.3s faster than the regular Huracán, and top speed is 202mph.
The car also boasts a dry weight of 1382kg, meaning it has a power-to-weight ratio of 464bhp per tonne. According to Lamborghini, the engine has an "optimised" torque curve, with 70% of torque available at just 1000rpm.
It’ll come as no surprise to learn the car's seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission has also been "optimised in order to match the increased performance".
The Performante uses a Haldex permanent four-wheel drive system, with full electronic control and a mechanical self-locking rear differential. It sits on specially-developed Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres designed to perform with or without the car's active aerodynamic systems applied, for both road and track conditions. A high-performance track tyre, the Pirelli Trofeo R, with street homologation is also an option.
The Performante features a new, ultra-lightweight forged carbonfibre composite material, which has been patented by Lamborghini and allows complex moulded shapes to be made in one piece.
Use of the new material is focused on active aerodynamic elements. The Performante’s fixed rear wing, including its air ducts and flaps, is made from a single piece of forged carbonfibre. The flaps close for maximum downforce and open for maximum air flow using an electro-actuator system, which gives an 80% reduction in weight compared with a hydraulic system, the supercar brand claims.
The rear wing also features an inner air channel, which splits to the left and the right to allow aero vectoring for high-speed cornering. The duct can be closed on either side depending on which way the car is cornering, in order to generate low drag on the exterior wheel and high downforce on the inner wheel, all of which improves the cornering performance.
According to Lamborghini, the wing gives the Performante 750% more downforce than a standard Huracán with no wing.
“This new car represents the powerhouse of Lamborghini DNA and innovation,” Lamborghini boss Stefano Domenicali said, “and a 360deg approach to creating class-leading super-sports cars.
“It illustrates the pinnacle of Lamborghini V10 production car performance to date, on both track and road, and is perfectly exemplified by its name.”
Related: 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S
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Jim McGill