THE NEW SUB-3 SUPERCARS
The Lamborghini Huracan Performante and McLaren 720S have marked improvements in performance to put pressure on the Ferrari 488 GTB
SHOULDN’T THE LAMBO BE NAMED SUPERLEGGERA? Probably it should have, if judging from the previous-generation Gallardo. But for today’s go-faster Huracan, Lamborghini has decided to use the Performante moniker instead.
The Huracan Performante features a racier exterior and interior design, increased power, less weight and more focused driving manners.
The appearance has been enhanced with aero bits around the mid-engined supercar, particularly the active rear spoiler that can adjust its angle depending on speed. Note that the exhaust pipes now sit higher at the rear end for a more aggressive look. HOW MUCH MORE POWER DOES IT GET?
The 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 sees some modifications made to the intake system and valves as well as the exhaust system to increase power from 610hp to 640hp, attained at 8,000rpm.
And although the 650Nm of maximum torque is achieved at 6,500rpm, Lamborghini says 70% of it is already available from 1,000rpm to make it more drivable in real-world conditions.
To cope with these higher outputs, Lamborghini has tweaked the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, revised some suspension bits and fitted the 20-inch bespoke alloys with sticky Pirelli P Zero tyres. IS IT FASTER THAN THE FERRARI 488 GTB?
If you take into consideration the 0-100kph time, the Huracan Performante is faster than the 488 GTB by a tenth of a second, at 2.9sec. Although the Fezza has a more potent 670hp 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8, it is heavier in weight.
Lamborghini claims that the Huracan Performante is 40kg lighter, at 1,382kg, than the regular Huracan. Seemingly, the four-wheel-drive system of the Lambo also helps for optimum standing start acceleration. The rear-drive 488 GTB weights 1,370kg.
Dietary measures in the Huracan Performante include the use of more lightweight materials, called Forged Composites, on the bonnet, rear bumper, aero parts and some interior parts like those on the console and fascia.
Treat the Huracan Performante as a lighter, go-faster supercar based on an existing model. BUT THAT MACCA IS ALL-NEW…
It certainly is, and its newness will give it a significant advantage over the Lambo. The McLaren 720S is the second generation of the brand’s Super Series family and supersedes the 650S.
The face of the 720S is highlighted with bigger headlamp casings, while the rear end sees thin light strips and exhaust pipes placed high up.
But the real headline is the so-called Monocage II body whose carbon fibre tub now extends to the roof structure, as well. McLaren says the 720S weighs 1,283kg — the lightest in its class where the 488 GTB and Huracan Performante slug it out.
The interior remains an uncomplicated place to be in. There are no remote buttons on the steering wheel, and the driver-oriented central touchscreen has been upgraded for more intuition. I HEARD ITS ENGINE IS JUST A BIGGER VERSION OF THE EXISTING ONE… The 720S features a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine known as M480T. It replaces the 3.8-litre version (M838T) used in other existing Maccas on sale and is claimed to have 41% new parts.
Outputs for the 720S are rated at 720hp achieved at 7,500rpm and 770Nm of torque attained at 5,500rpm. Like in the 650S (650hp), the 720S has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and rear-wheel-drive as standard transmission.
McLaren says the 720S will sprint from 0-100kph in 2.9sec — 0.1sec faster than the 488 GTB but on par with the Huracan Performante. However, the Macca is faster from 0-200kph than the Lambo: 7.8sec vs 8.9sec (8.2sec for the 488 GTB).
That said, Ferrari must surely be preparing a go-faster version of some sort for the 488 GTB in the future. The bar in this class of mid-engine supercars has seemingly been raised again: 0-100kph in less than three seconds is a must now. THE RACE IS ON AGAIN! HOW MUCH DOES THE 720S COST? The 720S has a sticker price of some 28 million baht in Thailand — practically the same as the Huracan Performante.
Both the Lambo and Macca are being shown by Lamborghini Bangkok and Niche Cars, their respective Thai agents, at the ongoing 2017 Bangkok International Motor Show after their world debuts in Geneva earlier this month.