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The separation of turning and burning makes the less-powerful, more affordable Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2 an altogether more exciting and enjoyable performance coupe. And it loves to do power slides.
WHAT IS IT? The Huracan LP580-2 is essentially the same as its Lamborghini LP610-4 all-wheel-drive brother, but has slightly less power and is rear-drive only. The goal, Lamborghini says, was to build a serious car for serious drivers.
WHY WE’RE TESTING IT Can less actually be more? Has Lamborghini, by reducing the Huracan’s complexity, actually delivered a more exciting and immersive driving experience?
THE WHEELS VERDICT If you care anything about driving, this is the Huracan to have. It may not be as fast on paper, but it’s better in just about every other way.
PLUS: Better balanced; steering feel; everything about the V10; supercar looks inside and out MINUS: Gear-change paddles are not wheel-mounted; I can’t afford one
Power oversteer, you may be surprised to learn, was one of Lamborghini’s five main aims when developing this “entry-level” Huracan. The other four are admirable, too, but hard to remember when you’re oppy-locking 426kW of mid-mounted V10 through a corner, and juggling gears via paddles that don’t rotate with the steering wheel.
Despite this fixation on becoming a drifting demi-god, the Huracan LP580-2 is not a one-trick stallion. It possesses more adjustability and tactility than its sibling. Go too hard into a corner, and the front will scrub wide, just like the all-wheel drive would. But that’s where similarities end, because the driver can turn understeer into oversteer with smooth and judicious use of the throttle. Where the all-wheel drive version would respond by forcing the nose even wider, the rear-driver turns plow into wow when rear end slip allows the fronts to reacquire the adhesive upper hand.
Taking accelerative responsibility off the front axle has also improved front-end feel through Huracan’s electric power steering. It turns in more hungrily, and easily has the bite to break the rear loose, especially under brakes. Ten percent softer front springs and dampers allow more weight transfer under brakes, and the reprofiled front spoiler increases downforce.
SPECS Model: Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2 Engine: 5204cc V10, dohc, 40v Max power: 426kW @ 8000rpm Max torque: 540Nm @ 6500rpm Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Weight: 1389kg 0-100km/h: 3.4sec (claimed) Fuel economy: 11.9L/100km (combined) Price: $378,900 On sale: April
