The Lamborghini Huracan has officially passed the torch to its highly anticipated successor, the Temerario.
Unveiled at Monterey Car Week 2024, this mid-engined, all-wheel-drive, plug-in hybrid supercar arrives with a modernised design, an enhanced V8 engine derived from the Urus SUV and more cutting-edge technology than Lamborghini could fit.
The heart of the beast
The Lamborghini Temerario features an all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, codenamed L411, capable of screaming to a stratospheric 10,000rpm.
This high-revving machine, the first of its kind in a production supercar, employs a flat-plane crankshaft, a technology borrowed from motorsport, to deliver beastly performance with a unique, spine-tingling soundtrack. It churns out a staggering 677kW and 730Nm of torque, a significant leap from the 470kW from the Huracan's naturally aspirated V10.
The engine's construction utilises advanced materials like titanium connecting rods and a motorsport-grade cast aluminium crankcase, ensuring it can withstand the immense stresses of its high-revving nature.
Hybrid synergy
The Temerario's hybrid system is equally impressive.
Three 110 kW electric motors, two strategically placed on the front axle and one integrated into the V8 housing, work seamlessly with the combustion engine. This synergy results in instantaneous acceleration, precise torque vectoring and efficient energy recovery.
But while the hybrid system boosts performance, it also adds weight. The Temerario tips the scales at 1690 kg, a substantial increase over the Huracan's 1422 kg. Lamborghini says its system also contributes to a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the Huracan, however.
Design and tech
The Temerario's design echoes its bigger sibling, the Revuelto, with a similar silhouette and high-mounted exhausts. However, it retains its own distinct identity with less flamboyant air intakes and horizontal LED headlights.
Each curve and contour has been sculpted to optimise airflow, enhancing stability at high speeds and maximising cooling and braking efficiency. All that makes the Temerario at once visually attractive and remarkably efficient and planted on the road, even at breakneck speeds.
Lamborghini's use of an aluminium spaceframe chassis boasts a 20% increase in torsional stiffness compared to its predecessor. The use of advanced materials and construction techniques results in a lightweight yet robust structure, contributing to the Temerario's handling and agility.
Lamborghini has also equipped its Huracan successor with a war chest of technology. Inside, the Temerario boasts a driver-focused cockpit with a configurable digital gauge cluster, a portrait touchscreen, and a fighter jet-inspired starter button.
The Lamborghini Vision Unit, a triple-camera system, records driving footage and telemetry data, allowing drivers to analyse their performance and share their experiences.
The interior boasts a cutting-edge infotainment system with three displays and a range of customisation options for a more connected and personalised driving experience.
There are also a remarkable 13 driving modes, catering to various driving scenarios. From the eco-conscious Citta mode for urban driving to the track-focused Corsa mode, the Temerario can adapt to different needs. The new Drift Mode, with three adjustable settings, adds another exciting dimension.
Pricing and availability
The Temerario comes as a bold statement from Lamborghini, aiming to be something of a catalyst for the next step in the Italian brand's electrification efforts.
The hybrid V8 supercar seamlessly blends raw power, cutting-edge tech and a commitment to sustainability, positioning itself for relevance well into the next decade.
But whether the Temerario lives up to and surpasses its predecessor remains to be seen. Ditto on the vehicle's pricing and local launch timing, though a starting price somewhere over $400,000 seems likely.