Lamborghini’s long-awaited high(er)-performance Huracán has finally broken cover at the Genva Motor Show today. It’s probably the first of many super sports cars based on the successful Huracán coupe and with an *alleged* Nürburgring lap time of 6:52, it’s probably faster than any of its V10 or V12-powered predecessors as well.
The formula for the Huracán Performante is more power, less weight, active aero, a reworked chassis, and maybe a bit of clever video editing. Click past the jump for all the details that matter.


Like the Superleggeras and other Gallardo-based super sports cars that came before it, the Huracán Performante builds on an already blindingly quick car to create something that can *allegedly* demolish competition on the track and still take you where you need to go in comfort and style. For the brand, it represents the “powerhouse of Lamborghini DNA and innovation, and a 360 degree approach to creating class-leading super sports cars”.
Indeed, nothing has been left untouched during the upgrade. The Performante runs with a more powerful version of the standard car’s naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10, this time producing 640 horsepower at 8,000 RPM and 443 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,500 RPM. It’s the most powerful V10 in company history and it demands to be rung out.

Its powertrain improvements come from Lamborghini’s experience with racing the Huracán and include enhanced fluid dynamics for both intake and exhaust, titanium valves, and a more optimized torque curve. Power goes to all four wheels through an enhanced seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. 0-62 mph happens in just 2.9 seconds and it’ll reach 124 mph in 8.9 seconds.
The extra power is supplemented by a considerable weight loss thanks to its enhanced lightweight construction. It’s built around a hybrid aluminum and carbon fiber frame and is adorned with aluminum and “Forged Composite” [carbon] panels. Overall, the Performante weighs 88 pounds less than the standard car despite having more bodywork to carry around.

And speaking of extra bodywork, a thoroughly revised aero package featuring active aero helps keep the car planted when the video is sped up. A lot of the design elements you see here are inspired by the Huracán Super Trofeo and GT3-spec race cars including the Forged Composite front splitter, rear wing, and rear diffuser.
One of the newest technologies on display here is their very Italian-sounding active aero system called Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva (ALA). Lamborghini has utilized similar features before, but this system is more fully integrated into the vehicle’s design and is a core part of its improved performance.
ALA is used to control two flaps in the front splitter and two air ducts over the bonnet which manage airflow over the rear wing, both of which are controlled independently by a central computer to optimize the car’s aerodynamics on the fly. As far as I can tell, the rear wing is fixed but the two flaps at the back negate the need to go with a retractable wing completely. Fortunately, Lamborghini did release a teaser video a few weeks ago that more clearly demonstrates how this all works and you can check it out right here.

Other relevant performance enhancements include optional variable steering, optional magneto rheological suspension, Pirelli P Zero Corsa or optional Trofeo R tires, enhanced stability control designed to be less intrusive, plus ventilated and cross-drilled carbon ceramic brake rotors paired with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers.

So the Lamborghini Huracán Performante will go fast, turn well, and stop consistently, but is that really enough to shatter the Nürburgring lap record? As several people have pointed out already, that lap was pretty suspect. Put on your tinfoil hat and dive in if you want to, but there’s one major point that I can’t help but reiterate here. According to FastestLaps, a standard Huracán can run the ‘Ring in a very respectable 7:28.
After reading through everything above, is that really enough to improve your ‘Ring time by 36 seconds? To recap, the Huracán Performante has 40 more horsepower, 30 more lb-.ft. of torque, some trick aero, and an 88-pound weight reduction. Does that all really equate to a 6:52 lap time? I’m going to say… no.
That’ll be $274,390, please.
[News source: Lamborghini]