Beginning next month, Lamborghini’s successor to the outgoing Gallardo will be showcased to the world on a 60 city, 130
event tour. The 610 hp Huracán LP 610-4, which sports all-wheel-drive and a more
dynamic chassis, will need to work hard to surpass the Gallardo’s ten year sales
record and impress its loyal fan following.
Like most Lamborghini’s, the newest model to the Sant’Agata family is named
after a fighting bull. Huracán (Spanish for hurricane) was a Spanish bull of the
Conte de la Patilla breed that fought in Alicante in August 1879.
The Gallardo has been the company’s bread and butter model for the last
decade, with over 14,000 vehicles sold, which gives the and the new ‘baby’ Lambo
a good starting point from which to prove itself as a legitimate successor.
So what has Lamborghini done to improve upon the outgoing Gallardo? In
addition to a new chassis, Lamborghini says the Huracán is its most
technologically advanced model to date. Mounted amidship, the 610 hp V10 uses
Lamborghini’s new ‘‘Iniezione Diretta Stratificata’’ (IDS) system that delivers
both direct and indirect injections into finely honed cylinders. The new 5.2
liter engine not only twists out 413 lb.ft (560 Nm) of torque but also
reportedly delivers lower fuel use ratings and emission outputs, as compared to
the Gallardo’s V10. A combined EU consumption figure of 12.5 liters /100 km
(18.8 mpg) and emission outputs of 290 g/km CO2 are slated for the new car, with
“Stop & Start” technology taking some credit for the improved data.
With power going to all four wheels, the Huracán is said to make 100 km/h (62
mph) in a rather lively 3.2 seconds, making it faster through the initial
acceleration range than a 2012 Gallardo LP 570-4 by 0.2 seconds. The Huracán
reaches 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 325 km/h
(202 mph).
Lamborghini’s rigid new “hybrid chassis” is comprised of a mix of carbon and
aluminum components that result in a weight of 1,422 kg (3135 lb) and a power to
weight ratio of 2.33 kg/hp (5.14 lb/hp). The outgoing Gallardo LP 560-4 does
actually show a lower weight figure at 1,410 kg (3,109 lb) meaning the
additional poundage must be coming from somewhere else in the build. Given
Lamborghini's engineering sharing with Audi there is in all likelihood some
crossover going on between the Huracán and the R8 series, but we won't know the
exact specifics until next month.
As far as the drivetrain is concerned, the exotic Spanish hurricane puts
power to the road via a new 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. The LDF or
‘‘Lamborghini Doppia Frizione” transmission arrangement, in partner with the
fully electronic all-wheel-drive system, allows drivers to setup the car for
track or various road conditions. Like the Aventador, drivers can access and adjust three system settings
via a red switch at the 6 o'clock position on the steering wheel. Strada, Sport
or Corsa modes provide an increasingly level of engine, transmission, suspension
and exhaust outputs that progressively tighten up the car.
Lamborghini has outfitted the Huracán with serious carbon ceramic brake discs
to assist in deceleration, though exact tire and brake specifics are in the
mail. A variable steering setup called “Lamborghini Dynamic Steering” is
optional for managing the twisty bits as is something called the
“magneto-rheologic” suspension control system.
But whereas engineering improvements are open to interpretation upon driving
the car, the aesthetic impression the Huracán makes is undoubtedly a strong one.
Retaining some design elements from the Gallardo the new Lamborghini brings with
it cleaner, less cluttered lines. While the Gallardo’s nose appears stubbier and
heavier, with more pronounced intakes, the Huracán’s grille and hood treatment
are lower, leaner and more fluid. Lamborghini points out that the car’s design
is premised off one continuous line that flows unimpeded from the grille, over
the cockpit and off the beautifully sculpted rear end.
Unlike the Gallardo with its tapered boxy cockpit design, the Huracán’s
roofline fans out behind the B-pillar and flares out seamlessly over the rear
haunches. Lamborghini’s signature hexagonal design treatments, like in the Aventador, can be found in various shapes and size throughout
the car. The favored geometry of Lamborghini's head designer, Filippo Perini, can also be found in the car’s LED headlight
treatments and taillight design.
Huracán’s interior should be of course, exotically fantastic. A 12.3-inch TFT
instrument panel provides information on navigation, engine outputs and
infotainment. The interior, chock full of hexagonal shapes similar to the Sesto concept, does feature some rather nice Nappa leather and
Alcantara finishes. The center console, with red, brushed aluminum starter panel
also incorporates Huracán’s various driving mode buttons and AC dials.
Lamborghini’s Huracán LP 610-4 will begin its rounds from next month with
private preview events in various European venues before making its public debut
at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Fortunate clients can start taking delivery of
the new model starting in the (northern) spring of 2014. Pricing is yet to be
confirmed.
Source: Lamborghini
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