The 2016 Lamborghini Hurácan LP 580-2 is a properly mad car in the best sense of the statement. Much of the fun has been sucked out of cars nowadays in order to save lives. I find it somewhat tragic that would-be drivers today can actually feel like heroes simply because they won’t crash the car… that is unless they’re driving a Mustang.
The art of driving is on its way out. Sure, you can still get a Porsche with a manual ‘box or switch the ESP off in a Golf R, but the days of rowing your own gears in a Ferrari or Lamborghini are over. Fine, I’ll accept that. However, I have a hard time when it comes to blisteringly fast cars no longer feeling that way ― they’re so isolated and riddled with technology (engine noise enhancers!) that the event is gone. Well, it is to me, but I’m old. Kids these days have no idea what it’s like to be scared poop-less by a car.
That was, at least, until today.
Thank you, thank you, you wild, crazy, insane engineers down in Sant’Agata who have seen fit to unleash the AK-47 of automobiles to the unsuspecting supercar buying public. We're likely to read many stories about how great driver's car this Lamborghini truly is. Since I'm such a nice guy, here's one for your enjoyment.
Because this is the way it’s supposed to be
The Hurácan LP 610-4 was a balls-out fast super GT car that somehow kept the driver within his or her zone all the while covering ground at an inconceivable rate. Its AWD system allowed the V10 to spread its power all around, but with the LP 580-2, such is not the case. That “dash 2” stands for two and rear-wheel drive, the way sports cars were meant to be.
Follow this one important piece of advice if you want to live: Never, ever, under any circumstances, turn the ESP completely off. Know that in Sport and Corsa modes, the ESP is dialled back somewhat, so if you’re looking for an inkling as to how fast you’d end up in the ditch, mash the gas pedal in Sport and hang on. As the massive rear tires battle for grip and forward motion, realize that your reflexes would never save you in time.
The Lamborghini Hurácan LP 580-2 marks the return of the driver’s car. It’s wicked, but I won’t kid you into thinking that it’s not driveable on a daily basis. This is 2016, after all.
Business casual, no tie
The Huracán’s drive mode selector starts off in Strada, by default. The street mode takes the edge off the car’s driving behaviour, but you’ll only find that out once you toggle around with the wheel-mounted controller.
In Strada, the car is well behaved, but avoid potholes as best as you can. The very sharp steering will help you dodge them given the necessary input. If you are in the market for a Lambo, I strongly recommend the Lifting System with Passive Suspension option, which will save your front spoiler as you traverse the urban jungle.
“Comfortable” is not the right word here, but my 6-month pregnant girlfriend did not mind the ride. The Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2 can be civilized; just don’t ask it to be smooth. If that’s your bag, look into an Audi S8 instead.
When the going gets fast
The Huracán’s aluminum double-wishbone suspension is deceptively simple to look at, but don’t be fooled for a second: It has been recalibrated slightly for the weight difference (73 lbs less than the LP 610-4 to be precise) where the front end is now a bit softer for more grip. This, along with the new Pirellis, makes for a car that is far more tail-happy, and yet far from unmanageable in the right hands.
In simpler terms, the LP 580-2’s nose feels as though it’s being pulled against the pavement. This difference over the LP 610-4’s pushed-down impression is felt through the steering wheel, the suspension, and even under braking. You’d think there’s an unbreakable bond between the car and the road.
In Sport mode, steering sharpens up, the dampers firm up, the exhaust note tunes up, and the throttle mans up. By and large, this mode is the ideal setting to appreciate the chassis’ newfound agility.
Here, the 5.2L V10 is best explored on a deserted country road, or better yet, on a track. Sadly, the limited time, mileage, and wagging finger telling me not to track the car regulated my driving options. Nevertheless, I was able to drive the Lambo.
I did briefly dip into Corsa mode, but found that the steering weighed up to a point that was nearly unusable on the street. I also noticed a prominent dead spot in the wheel’s assistance on-centre that was far more prevalent than in Sport. Perhaps track use would have evened it out.
Normally aspirated power
The engine’s torque is surprising. As a high-revving masterpiece, one would not expect to get going so soon, but the trick is that 75% of the 397 lb-ft of torque are on tap as of 1,000 rpm. Max torque dives in at 6,500 rpm, while peak horsepower arrives at 8,000 rpm, 500 shy of the redline.
The dash towards the redline is as dangerous as it is addictive. The noise! The vibrations! The harshness! All of these things shunned by modern cars are alive and well in the 2016 Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2.
The fantastic Lamborghini Doppia Frizione (LDP) E-Gear 7-speed dual-clutch transmission knows how to play this game of going fast. It is efficient, intelligent, and can play hard when required. Actually, it has a dual personality. When left in automatic mode (and Strada), the ‘box will upshift discretely up to 7th at speeds as low as 55 km/h in the name of efficiency. Tap the “M” for manual and toggle into Sport, and the transmission will crack up or down the cogs with cat-like reflexes.
This supercar will sprint to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and 200 km/h in 10.1 seconds before tapping out at 320 km/h. These numbers are impressive, for sure, but it’s the viciousness with which the car attains these results that makes the driver sweat. The optional carbon ceramic brakes do take away some of the worry as they will never falter.
Palpitations aside
The Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2 is a phenomenal driver’s car. Parts of the equation are firm, supportive seats and a grippy steering wheel. The Lambo has both. It also provides excellent forward visibility thanks to its highly raked windscreen and relatively thin pillars. The same does not apply in the rear, but then, it’s a Lamborghini.
The Huracán LP 580-2 looks incredible, gobbling up road while it sits idle. Craftsmanship, both inside and out, is at the expected level for a trophy of this calibre.
At around $220,000 for starters, this entry-level Lamborghini is not meant for typical Lambo owners. This is one of the most honed and tuned performance cars currently available, and even with $45,000 worth of options on my tester including cruise control, Bluetooth, and 20” wheels, it remains one heck of a handful, and not for a novice wannabe driver.
In other words, it is fabulous.