Wednesday 18th November 2015

Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2: LA auto show

The rear-wheel drive Lamborghini returns!

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Well isn't this convenient timing? Just as Dan was discussing how cars need to be less complex and less focused on outright speed, Lamborghini launches a two-wheel drive Huracan with less power than standard and less weight too. Alright, it will still do 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds and 199mph but let's not miss out on making a point.

"Tuned to provide oversteering characteristics" you say?

The Huracan LP580-2 has been launched at the LA show and described by Stephen Winkelmann as "appealing to those wanting an even more intense driving experience, or who currently drive other rear-wheel drive marques and aspire to driving a Lamborghini." Ah yes, the other marques. Clearly aimed at the Ferrari 488 GTB and McLaren 650S, the two-wheel drive Huracan enters the fray with noticeably less power and torque than either but the appeal of that naturally aspirated V10. Dry weight is claimed at 1,389kg, which compares well with the 488's 1,370kg (with lightweight options) and the McLaren's 1,330kg.

There may not be a Balboni stripe for this two-wheel drive car, but it is distinguishable from the LP610-4. See the revised front air intakes, rear spoiler lip and new 'Kari' rims. Those wheels are shod in new Pirelli PZero tyres designed for the rear-wheel drive installation.

Eyes firmly on the McLaren and Ferrari...

Furthermore, the Lamborghini driving modes - Strada, Sport and Corsa - have been "tuned to provide oversteering characteristics, emphasising authentic rear-wheel drive behaviour." Jolly good! Weight distribution is 40:60 front to rear.

And the news keeps getting better. The cylinder deactivation introduced on the MY16 car is standard - every little helps, right? - and the two-wheel drive car is cheaper as well. Much cheaper. While UK prices are not yet confirmed, we can compare the European prices. The LP610-4 costs 169,500 euros plus tax whereas the LP580-2 will be 150,000 euros plus tax. Think of the Lambo merchandise you could buy with the extra cash! Silliness aside, that could be one hell of a triple test...

 

[SturdyHSV]

Good to see a pair of rear wheels with some bloody meat on them!

Does make the fronts look a little too big though / under tyred.

Will there be a manual option?

[SFO]

at last, silver wheels

[Vee12V]

The 'less power' nonsense is pathetic. Marketing BS at its best.

Edited by Vee12V on Tuesday 17th November 16:34

[SirSquidalot]

Ohhhhhh now this is a fantastic idea, less driven wheels and more focus on fun! Well done Lamborghini, now to find some (lots) of cash.

[smilo996]

Looks great in red and they took power of the right wheels. Imagine a front wheel drive Lambo.......

[Stig]

Oof!

Want this - a lot.

[Krikkit]

SturdyHSV said:

Will there be a manual option?

Doubt it, unfortunately. Sounds like a cracking machine though.

[graeme4130]

I wonder if there's any mechanical changes, or if it's the same LP610 Engine with a slightly lower ECU set up
If so, I'll assume going back to 610 will be a piece of cake.
Good work Lambo for bringing this out either way, and if priced right in the UK would make a great alternative in the 570s/911 Turbo/R8 market

[soad]

Krikkit said:

SturdyHSV said:

Will there be a manual option?

Doubt it, unfortunately. Sounds like a cracking machine though.

The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/17/lamborghini-hur...

[RoverP6B]

Wonder if this'll cure the chronic understeer. It's still a horrible-looking thing, as is the Aventador. The Murcielago and Gallardo were the last desirable Lamborghinis IMO...

[sidesauce]

RoverP6B said:

It's still a horrible-looking thing, as is the Aventador. The Murcielago and Gallardo were the last desirable Lamborghinis IMO...

In no way do I agree with this statement. This car has waaaaay more character and want than the equivalent R8 that it shares its mechanicals with.

[RoverP6B]

I'd honestly rather have the R8. I think it's much nicer-looking, more compact and less w****r-ish... if I was to have a Lamborghini, though, it'd be a Murcielago converted to RWD. The Bizzarrini V12 is the only proper Lamborghini engine IMO...

[Amirhussain]

Oufffh

[sidesauce]

RoverP6B said:

I'd honestly rather have the R8. I think it's much nicer-looking, more compact and less w****r-ish... if I was to have a Lamborghini, though, it'd be a Murcielago converted to RWD. The Bizzarrini V12 is the only proper Lamborghini engine IMO...

Proper engine? What does that even mean? If Audi hadn't rescued Lamboghini they wouldn't even exist as a brand any more and I for one am very glad this didn't end up being their fate. And the new R8 is more compact and less wkerish? Are you trolling? The new r8 is about an inch smaller in width and height, literally. What does wkerish even mean? Have you never wked in your life? If so say you haven't then I say you're a liar and therefore you're no different or better than a Lamborghini owner/driver.

[whytheory]

sidesauce said:

RoverP6B said:

It's still a horrible-looking thing, as is the Aventador. The Murcielago and Gallardo were the last desirable Lamborghinis IMO...

In no way do I agree with this statement. This car has waaaaay more character and want than the equivalent R8 that it shares its mechanicals with.

'More character than an Audi' really is damning something with faint praise!

The Huracan and Aventador are definitely more VAG-like than their predecessors but not so much that they're completely uninteresting. I'd still have a manual Gallardo though...

[PhantomPH]

I must be getting this wrong - that works out as about £126,000 inc VAT. There's no way it will be that cheap, surely??

[Burnham]

PhantomPH said:

I must be getting this wrong - that works out as about £126,000 inc VAT. There's no way it will be that cheap, surely??

If you are right then that's a bargain, especially as it's probably the best choice of the range so far!

[epom]

Oooooh that's nice that is..... Ps comparing a Rwd Lamborghini to a 4wd Audi is a rather odd thing to do.

[sandysinclair]

Yep have to agree... current Lamborghini models lack the fizz factor of the older Murci and Gallardo cars. Proper engine is relative I guess but a yowling Bizzarrini v12 engine I'd always have over a v10 or v8 offerings from audi guess that's why that engine has stuck around for over 40 years because it was / is so good.

[RoverP6B]

Sure, VAG rescued Lamborghini from a precarious financial position. The Murcielago, despite Audi intervention, was awesome, and in many respects, so was the Gallardo, although that's rather tame in comparison to the Murcielago. However, since then, it's all gone wrong. The madness is gone, replaced by wallowy understeer. Lamborghini drivers are all now wànkers. It's all about the pose. For those who just want a decent driving machine, the R8 does it better than the Huracan for less money, without making you look like a cóck... although I would prefer the first-gen R8 with a manual to the new (DCT-only?) machine... even the stupid sideblades have grown on me. As for the V12s, the Aventador is flabby and sanitised compared to the Murcielago (not to mention that it's a visual mess, HEXAGONS EVERYWHERE), and the Ferrari F12 drives rings around it, in a way the 575 didn't when the Murcielago was introduced, and the 599 didn't when the LP640 and then the SV came out. The Sesto Elemento, although unfortunate in styling, was interesting in that it was utterly focussed on performance and light weight. It was hailed at the time as the sign of what the Gallardo successor would bring. Unfortunately, the reality of the Huracan is desperately disappointing.

Meanwhile, they're mucking about with the Urus SUV and failing to make the beautiful Estoque saloon, which I'm sure would have been a big success, and still looks great seven years on...