The new Lamborghini Huracán Performante
AUTOMOBILI Lamborghini unveiled the Huracán Perfomante at the recently concluded Geneva Motor Show, combining new lightweight technologies, active aerodynamics with aero vectoring and a new set-up of chassis, allwheel-drive system and further improved powertrain. The Huracán Performante is the result of Lamborghini innovations, producing a super sports car balanced between achieving the best lap times on a circuit with the most engaging and dynamic road driving. Last October, the Huracán Performante set a new production car lap record of 6:52.01 min on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany.
“The Huracán Performante is the convergence of technological developments to produce a car delivering perfect performance,” says Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali. “This new car represents the powerhouse of Lamborghini DNA and innovation, and a 360- degree approach to creating class-leading super sports cars. It illustrates the pinnacle of Lamborghini V10 production car performance to date, on both track and road, and is perfectly exemplified by its name: Lamborghini Huracán Performante.”
LIGHTWEIGHT ENGINEERING
Based on a hybrid aluminum and carbon fiber frame, the Huracán Performante’s body is produced from aluminum in conjunction with significant use throughout of Lamborghini’s award-winning Forged Composite. Using chopped carbon fibers in a resin, Forged Composite allows the creation of lightweight, complex geometrical shapes beyond that possible with traditional carbon fiber composite materials, while maintaining optimum stiffness.
The Performante features Forged Composite in structural components including front and rear spoiler, the engine bonnet, rear bumper and aerodynamic diffuser, contributing to the car’s weight reduction of 40kg.
ACTIVE AERODYNAMICS - AERODINAMICA LAMBORGHINI ATTIVA (ALA)
The Huracán Performante adopts Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva (ALA) (ALA is also the Italian word for wing). This patented active aerodynamic system developed by Lamborghini for the Huracán Performante provides an active variation of aero load for high downforce or low drag.
The system is completely integrated into the vehicle in terms of design, weight and performance. 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. The rear bonnet is designed around the air ducts to the rear wing as well as the wing pylons.
Lamborghini’s Piattaforma Inerziale (LPI) governs all the car’s electronic systems in real time and is perfectly integrated with the ALA system, activating the ALA system flaps in less than 500 milliseconds to ensure the best aerodynamic set-up of the car in every driving condition.
When ALA is off, the active flaps inside the front spoiler are closed, generating the desired high downforce for high-speed cornering and full brake conditions. When ALA switches to on the front flaps are opened by the front electric motor, reducing air pressure on the front spoiler and directing air flow via an inner channel and through the specially shaped underside of the car. This drastically reduces drag and optimizes conditions for maximum acceleration and top speed.
In the rear four ducts are installed below the bonnet. The two central ducts are always open to allow underhood ventilation and exhaust cooling, while the two external ducts are connected to the inner channels of the rear wing. The airflow through the rear wing channels is controlled by two electro-actuated flaps. The entire system is 80 percent lighter than a traditional hydraulic system.
When ALA is off the rear flaps are closed, permitting the rear wing to act as a traditional fixed wing. Stability is enhanced in high speed cornering and full braking by creating maximum vertical downforce; 750 percent more than a Huracán coupé.
DESIGN
Reflecting the pure lines and performance of Lamborghini Super Trofeo race cars, the design also takes inspiration, particularly at the rear, from naked performance motorcycles, with their exposed frames and‘ street fighter’ structures expressing function and performance.
The design highlights the active aerodynamics (ALA) and lightweight build that are so integral to the car. Gloss, naked Forged Composite with its ability to be shaped or molded in a single piece, is always used in ALA components, alongside matte and gloss black carbon fiber features contrasting with the matte body color: shown in a new matte orange (Arancio Anthaeus) on the Huracán Performante in Geneva.
The new front is sophisticated and razor-blade sharp like a race car, with the design of the air intakes and splitter giving the impression of incisors, reminiscent of a striking snake. The active aerodynamic front spoiler is clearly visible in Forged Composite.
The engine bonnet in Forged Composite emphasizes its lightweight construction. Air intakes are integrated in the engine bonnet with a Plexiglas cover over the engine inside. The V10 power plant’s manifold cover in bronze, a finish used in other special edition engines, is a reminder of Lamborghini heritage as well as denoting the enhanced engine and increased power.
The sportiness of the Performante’s design is exemplified by the highmounted exhausts, similar to extreme sports motorcycles, which create a more direct physical connection with the engine.
From the side, the design is characterized by the accelerating line of the rocker cover with air intakes in matte black, the Italian tricolore colors of the Performante’s Sant’Agata Bolognese birthplace on the doors, topped with wing mirrors in shiny black. The lightweight, Narvi 20” forged wheels, dedicated to the Huracán Performante, are painted in bronze.
POWERTRAIN AND PERFORMANCE
The enhanced naturally aspirated Huracán engine is the most powerful V10 produced to date by Lamborghini. Outputting 640hp at 8,000 rpm and producing 600Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, it is distinguished by a new bronze manifold that draws on the heritage of previous special edition engines such as the Diablo 30th Anniversary power plant.
The exhaust pipes, positioned at a higher and more central position, deliver a more aggressive sound in high performance use, resonant of motor racing.
The car ’ s powerful engine produces an optimized torque curve, with more than 70 percent of torque already available at 1, 000 r p m. Re fl ect in g t hi s, Lamborghini’s seven- speed dual clutch transmission has been also optimized in order to match the increased performance.
Accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, the Huracán Performante is propelled from 0 to 200 km/ h in 8.9 seconds, and brakes from 100-0 km/h in just 31 meters.
CHASSIS AND SETUP
The all- wheel drive Huracán Performante’s suspension system has been revised, reflecting the Performante’s purpose as a track and performance car. The suspension has been stiffened compared to the Huracán coupé.
The double wishbone system, front and rear, features passive dampers with optional magneto rheological suspension. Electromechanical power steering is offered as standard with optional variable ratio Lamborghini Dynamic Steering (LDS). There are three drive modes: Strada, Sport and Corsa.
WHEELS AND BRAKES
The Huracán Performante sits on specifically designed bronze 20” Narvi forged rims. The Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, developed specifically for the Huracán Performante, are designed to optimize road holding in both on and off ALA settings, in track conditions and also to provide optimum performance in normal road conditions.
INTERIOR
The interior of the Huracán Performante reminds the driver of its lightweight and aerodynamic purpose. Air vents, paddles, door handles and the center console are created from Forged Composite. Lightweight, dark colored Alcantara fabric is used throughout.
New digital displays are configurable depending on driving mode selected: Strada, Sport or Corsa, with a display dedicated to the ALA detailing data on downforce and drag. The new cockpit layout supports Apple CarPlay and its iPhone apps including the Lamborghini telemetry system, which allows the driver to record, replay and study his own performance.