2017 Lamborghini Huracan Perfomante

Exterior

The name change also brought a revolution terms of aerodynamics.

When the Performante began testing on public roads back in 2015, I was convinced that we’re going to get a Gallardo Superleggera with Huracan styling cues. Specifically, I expected it to be sportier than the standard model, but not overly aggressive. Needless to say, I was very wrong, as the name change also brought a revolution terms of aerodynamics.

For the Huracan, Lambo created a new aero system called Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva (ALA), with "ala" also being the Italian word for wing. The system is completely integrated into the vehicle in terms of design, weight and performance. For example, the front spoiler integrates the electric motor of the front ALA system, built in a carbon-forged frame with active flaps on the top exterior surface. Also, the rear engine hood is designed around the air ducts to the rear wing.

When the flaps are opened up by the electric motor, air pressure on the front spoiler is reduced, which also drastically reduces drag and optimizes the car for maximum acceleration and top speed.

The Italians also crafted a new system that governs the car’s electronics and activates the ALA in "less than 500 milliseconds." When the ALA is off, the active flaps are closed and the car benefits from high downforce for high-speed cornering and full-brake conditions. When the flaps are opened up by the electric motor, air pressure on the front spoiler is reduced, which also drastically reduces drag and optimizes the car for maximum acceleration and top speed. Around back, when the flaps are closed, the wing acts like a fixed element, enhancing stability for cornering. In this setup, it generates a whopping 750-percent more vertical downforce than the standard Huracan coupe! By opening the rear flaps, the system directs airflow through the ridges and underneath the wing, which again reduces drag for quicker acceleration and high top speed. In addition, airflow is split right and left, improving the Huracan’s overall dynamic stability.

Styling-wise, it's arguably the most aggressive Lambo you can buy nowadays.

Styling-wise, it’s arguably the most aggressive Lambo you can buy nowadays. And yet, it’s more menacing than the Aventador SuperVeloce as far as looks go. Up front, there’s a redesigned bumper with what appears to be a two-tier splitter and large vents under the nose. The side intakes have also been redesigned and their vertical, slightly tilted toward the nose orientation further enhance the car’s aggressive stance.

Onto the sides, we can see new, carbon-fiber side skirts, a revised vent just behind the quarter window, black mirror caps, and new wheels wrapped in high-performance tires. More significant changes can be seen around back, and I’m not only talking about the massive, motorsport-inspired rear wing. The grille layout below the decklid has also been redesigned, with all elements being larger for better cooling. The quad-exhaust arrangement in the bumper has been replaced by a dual-pipe layout mounted higher in the fascia a toward the center. This change made room for a massive diffuser and all the aerodynamic benefits that come with such an element. A revised engine hood with a large glass section instead of louvers rounds off the design. All told, this rear end has "race car" written all over it!

And that’s a good thing!

Interior

Unlike the exterior, the interior of the Performante has the exact same configuration as the standard model in terms of layout.

Unlike the exterior, the interior of the Performante has the exact same configuration as the standard model in terms of layout, but things are a bit different when it comes to materials. In order to save more weight, Lambo replaced many components with its very own "forged composite" alloy, including the A/C vents, gear paddles, door handles, and center console. These features stand out due to their unique look. If I were to describe it, I’d say it blends the look of carbon-fiber with that of burled wood. It’s definitely exotic and adds uniqueness to the interior.

Lambo replaced many components with its very own "forged composite" alloy.

As you’d expect from a track-focused car, nearly every surface is wrapped in black Alcantara. However, splash of color can be added through the contrast stitching on the steering wheel, dashboard, and floor mats, and the optional "Y" graphics on the seats. On this model here, the stitching and the graphics are green, but more options are likely available. Heck, give the Ad Personam bespoke division a call and you get just about any color.

Moving over to tech, the digital displays have been revised for this model and configurable depending on the driving mode selected (Strada, Sport or Corsa). There’s also a display dedicated to the ALA system, providing information on downforce and drag. It also shows how the system works with aero vectoring data. Finally, the Performante comes with Apple CarPlay connectivity and the Lamborghini telemetry system, which allows the driver to record, replay, and study performance at the track.

Drivetrain

Naturally, Lambo revised the 5.2-liter V-10 engine for the Performante, increasing output to 631 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque.

Naturally, Lambo revised the 5.2-liter V-10 engine for the Performante, increasing output to 631 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, which is an extra 29 horses and 18 pound-feet compared to the standard Huracan. While it might not seem like a massive improvement, the added oomph comes with an 88-pound lighter car, which delivers significantly better performance. For instance, the Performante needs 2.9 seconds to hit 62 mph, which makes it three tenths quicker than the regular model. In addition to that, the engine produces an optimized torque curve, with more than 70 percent already available at 1,000 rpm.

But arguably the most impressive performance feat of the Huracan Performante is its Nurburgring lap. Completed in 6:52.01 minutes, it set a new record for production cars.

But arguably the most impressive performance feat of the Huracan Performante is its Nurburgring lap. Completed in 6:52.01 minutes, it set a new record for production cars. Not only five seconds quicker than the amazing Porsche 918 Spyder, the Performante also outranked the track-only Radical SR8. The Perofrmante was also nearly eight seconds quicker than the Lambo Aventador SuperVeloce.

With a reworked engine also comes a new chassis setup. The suspension system has been revised too for enhanced performance at the track. Upgrades include 10-percent stiffer springs and bars, 15-percent stiffer roll, and 50-percent stiffer arms bushings. The double wishbone system, front and rear, features passive dampers with optional magnetorheological suspension. Both systems, passive and active suspension, are designed to improve body and wheel control especially on the track.

Stopping power comes ventilated, cross-drilled carbon-ceramic discs.

Standard gear includes electromechanical power steering, but it can be upgraded to variable ratio dynamic steering optional, with both recalibrated for the Performante. Just like the standard model, the Performance is ftted with a permanent four-wheel drive system. However, the setup was retuned to maximize traction and work in conjunction with the ALA aerodynamics.

Stopping power comes ventilated, cross-drilled carbon-ceramic discs and six-piston calipers and the front and four-piston clamps to the rear. Both are operated by a hydraulic, dual-circuit system with vacuum brake servo. The car brakes from 62 mph in only 101.7 feet.

All these drivetrain components are mounted on a hybrid aluminum and carbon-fiber frame that also uses Lambo’s "forged composite" alloy made from chopped carbon fibers and resin. The composite alone shaved 88 pounds off the curb weight of the Huracan.

Prices

The Huracan Performante retails from $274,390, which is a nearly $33,000 premium over the regular Huracan. In Europe, the supercar starts from €195,040, while British customers will pay £173,271 before options.

Competition

Finding a competitor for the Huracan Performante isn’t exactly easy. Ferrari has yet to launch a higher performance version of the 488 GTB, while the McLaren 720S is brand new and a beefed-up version won’t arrive sooner than 2018. The only option for a track-prepped car of similar caliber is the Porsche 911 GT3.

Porsche 911 GT3

Introduced alongside the Huracan Performante at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the new 911 GT3 is actually facelift to the

gen model launched for 2014. Changes aren’t exactly major inside and out, but that’s far from being an issue given the car’s performance. However, the GT3 is no match for the Performante in terms of aggressiveness. The 911 might be sporty and all, but it’s not the kind of sports car that I would describe as menacing. The good news is that the interior is as race-oriented as it is upscale, so customers will get a similar package as in the Huracan Performante. There’s a choice of four different seats and the standard package includes navigation and the Track Precision app, which is similar to Lambo’s Telemetry system. Output-wise, the 4.0-liter flat-six isn’t as impressive as the Performante’s V-10, churning out "only" 500 horsepower and 339 pound-feet. But despite falling behind by more than 100 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque, the GT3 is only three tenths slower from 0 to 62 mph, needing 3.2 clicks to get there with the PDK transmission. The good news is that Porsche now offers a six-speed manual transmission. Granted, it’s not as quick with a 0-to-62 benchmark of 3.8 seconds, but you can have a lot of with a stick and a clutch pedal. It’s also significantly more affordable at $143,600.

Read our full review on the Porsche 911 GT3.

Ferrari 488 GTB Scuderia

Set to arrive as a replacement for the 458 Speciale, Ferrari’s alternative for the Gallardo Superleggera, the 488 GTB Scuderia will probably have what it takes to give the Huracan Performante a run for its money. The beefed-up version of Ferrari’s new 488 GTB should arrive by the end of 2017 as a lighter and more powerful iteration of the standard model. Motivation will come from the same twin-turbo, 3.9-liter V-8, but output should increase from 660 to around 700 horsepower, enabling the supercar to hit 62 mph from a standing start in about 2.9 seconds. It will be powerful and fast, but it remains to be seen if it will be as nimble as the Huracan Performante. I expect 488 Scuderia pricing to start somewhere between $300,000 and $320,000, which will make it significantly more expensive than the Lambo.

Read our speculative review on the 488 GTB Scuderia.

McLaren 720S

Granted, the 720S is way too new to have received a higher performance version similar to the 675LT, but the car is quite capable in standard form too. Not to mention that it’s by far the wildest, most aggressive design you can get in this niche, while the cabin sports a revolutionary, rotating instrument cluster that become similar to a race car’s on the track. Much like the Ferrari, it gets its juice from a turbocharged engine, in this case a 4.0-liter V-8. Output sits at 710 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of twist, which makes more potent than the Huracan Performante. Charging to 62 mph takes "less than three seconds," so it’s safe to assume that the 720S is at least as quick as the Lambo. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it will lap the Nurburgring quicker, performance is obviously impressive and the successor to the 675LT will probably be good enough for a new record around the "Green Hell." The supercar should cost at least $280,000 in the United States.

Read our full review on the McLaren 720S.

Conclusion

Needless to say, the new Huracan Performante is definitely an impressive supercar and comes with a huge wow factor. Not only Lambo rebranded the Superleggera, but also prepared an absolute Nurburgring record in total secrecy. And when you smash the Porsche 919 Spyder’s by five seconds, you earn all the bragging rights in the world. But is the Performante all that fantastic in every department? Well, no. While the design is definitely appealing, I find the McLaren 720S to be more exotic. But this is obviously a matter of taste. However, the McLaren also has the better technology and that rotating instrument cluster is an awesome piece of equipment I’d like to have in my supercar. The performance is indeed solid on and off the track and I love it that naturally aspirated car now holds the Nurburgring record, but it remains to be seen how long this will last. But overall, the Huracan Performante is a historic car for Lamborghini and it will take a few years before we see something at least as extreme.

• Love it
  • * Lightweight body
  • * Increased power output is always welcome
  • * Quicker sprint times and better handling
  • * World’s fastest production car around the ’Ring!
• Leave it
  • * Not a very comfortable ride
  • * Pretty expensive
  • * Not as powerful as the 720S

References

Read our full speculative preview on the Lamborghini Huracan Perfomante Spyder.

Read our full review on the Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4.

Read our full review on the Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder.

Update History

Updated 10/11/2016: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Huracan Superleggera out for a new testing session at Nurburgring. When compared to the previous prototypes, the new one features a series of aerodynamic tweaks.

Updated 10/07/2016: The upcoming Lamborghini Huracan LP640-4 Superleggera was caught testing at the Nurburgring race track. Hit "play" to watch the new video.

Updated 07/13/2016: The upcoming Huracan Superleggera was caught testing on the Nurburgring race track. Hit "play" to hear the sound of its update V-10 engine.

Updated 07/12/2016: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Huracan Superleggera out for a new testing session, this time in its natural environment: the Nurburgring race track.

Updated 04/13/2016: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Huracan LP640-4 Superleggera out for a new testing session around the famous Nurburgring race track. Expect the new sports car to be unveiled later this year.

Updated 01/29/2016: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Huracan LP640-4 Superleggera out for a new testing session, this time in cold winter conditions.

Spy Shots

December 16, 2016 - Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera caught testing again

October 11, 2016 - Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera caught testing at Nurburgring with new aerodynamic tweaks

July 12, 2016 - Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera goes to Nurburgring once again

April 13, 2016 - Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera caught testing at Nurburgring

January 29, 2016 - Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera caught playing in the snow

May 5, 2015 - First testing session