Kevin Hackett takes a closer look on Lamborghini's newest supercar, the Huracán LP610-4. All photos courtesy of Lamborghini.
Updated: May 08, 2014, 12:00 AM
In pictures: The 2014 Lamborghini Huracán LP610-4
It’s 10 per cent lighter and an incredible 50 per cent stiffer than the Gallardo.
It weighs 1,422 kilograms without fluids or passengers, which is important because, by reducing weight in its structure, this has allowed Lamborghini to at last address one of the Gallardo’s few flaws: the Huracán now has a proper dual-clutch automated transmission with seven speeds.
A straight, horizontal dashboard incorporates hexagonal styling cues, harking back to some of Lamborghini’s past masters (the rear valance on the Miura looked very similar to this) and there’s a 12.3-inch screen in place of traditional instruments, which you can alter to show the info that you want – speed, revs or a satnav map.
The doors open in conventional style (scissor doors are reserved for the flagship V12 models), but the Aventador doesn’t have a monopoly on visual drama, as the start switch is covered by a hinged, red, fighter-plane-style flap, which you flip open to ignite those 10 cylinders behind your head.
The gearbox seamlessly shifts without interrupting the power and torque delivery.
The car is more user friendly than any Lamborghini before it. The noise is all there, the low-slung drama and the trademark impracticalities inherent in this kind of machine, but there’s a feeling that this is better made and more intelligently designed than any Lamborghini that has gone before it.
For absolute performance, there’s always Corsa mode but, when Sport is this much fun, I don’t feel the temptation to explore those extra reserves.
Lamborghini’s officials are right: this really is an entirely usable supercar. Visibility is excellent, the suspension is comfortable on rough surfaces and keeps it pointing in the right direction when you hit unexpected undulations at silly speeds.
The Huracán need not feel threatened. This car has bags of personality, it’s a piece of modern art, a scalpel-sharp supercar that’s brimming with technology.