The exhilarating Huracan Spyder: V10 performance in a RWD convertible

With a deep sloping nose, a compact rear end and very sharp lines, the Huracan is truly a sexy beast. It continuously implores the operator to drive the vehicle to the limit of its performance (and the law!). Lamborghini has been a straight up, performance first brand. So drivers have traditionally experienced a very stiff ride and few creature comforts. With the Huracan, Lamborghini (and parent Audi Group) have set out to change that.

Astonishment at the Huracan’s attractive body design is natural, and it won’t soon be forgotten. But when its time to climb into the interior, its immediately evident that the subtle refinements the Lamborghini team has implemented over the past couple of years definitely improve the comfort and drivability of this vehicle without compromising on performance and capability.

When first settling in to the cockpit, it appears to be right out of a spacecraft in the movies. Lamborghini’s Infotainment System II features a high-brightness 12.3" TFT display and virtual instrumentation (inheriting the MMI telematics from Audi), with integrated functions for the audio system and optional SatMaps so the driver never has to take their eyes off the road.

The Huracan’s interior finish is pleasantly luxurious and stylish. As expected for a sports car of this caliber, there is almost no storage in the cabin whatsoever with the exception of a glove box and a single cupholder in the center of the dash. The dash and console are grain leather, with ducts and paddle shifters finished in a cutting edge forged composite material ($5000 extra).

The heated sport profile seats are upholstered with finely stitched leather, and feature powered controls for variable height, angle, and tilt to help the driver find an optimal posture quickly and comfortably. The steering wheel is adjustable for optimal reach and tilt angle, minimizing arm and grip fatigue during periods of long or aggressive driving.

On top of the center console, there is a horizontal row of solid expertly crafted toggle switches for all of the various vehicle functions. One of the toggle switches allows the driver to lift the front end, definitely a useful feature to help avoid damage especially on bumpy driveways and uneven parking lots. Our personal favorite is definitely the start/stop ignition button, complete with a flip-open cage. When fired, the engine springs to life and bellows a throaty growl that elicits a decidedly teenage thrill.

Hit the reverse toggle to shift the vehicle into reverse, and the rear camera flickers on to the display. Now pull back on the right paddle shifter and the vehicle is ready to rock in drive. Press the M button on the console to put into Automatic drive. The Huracan is equipped with the ANIMA (Adaptive Network and Intelligence MAnagement) system. The driver may select 3 modes directly from the steering wheel — Street , Sport and Track. Each changes the vehicle’s performance using differing shift points, steering and suspension, and acceleration characteristics ranging from conservative every day driving in street (Strada) mode, adding slight oversteer with Sport mode, to all out performance in Track (Corsa) mode.

The Huracan punches above its weight, with a light weight rigid carbon fiber and aluminum chassis, matched to a well tuned tuned 5.2L V10 power plant, producing a neck-snapping 580hp and 389 ft-lb of torque, hitting 0–60 in 3.6 seconds. Shifting is instantaneous thanks to the paddle shifters on the wheel and the 7 speed dual clutch transmission. With an almost perfectly balanced 50/50 weight distribution and a low center of gravity, the Huracan is super nimble and continuously responsive through tight turns and rapid steering movements.

The Huracan has a champion pedigree. With its gorgeous lines, uncompromising quality and rockstar performance, it edges out nearly all of its competitors in its class. ¢