Lamborghini announces successor to the Gallardo – the 610 hp AWD Huracán

Beginning next month, Lamborghini’s successor to the outgoing Gallardo will be showcased to the world on a 60 city, 130 event tour. The 610 hp Huracán LP 610-4, which sports all-wheel-drive and a more dynamic chassis, will need to work hard to surpass the Gallardo’s ten year sales record and impress its loyal fan following.

Like most Lamborghini’s, the newest model to the Sant’Agata family is named after a fighting bull. Huracán (Spanish for hurricane) was a Spanish bull of the Conte de la Patilla breed that fought in Alicante in August 1879.

The Gallardo has been the company’s bread and butter model for the last decade, with over 14,000 vehicles sold, which gives the and the new ‘baby’ Lambo a good starting point from which to prove itself as a legitimate successor.

So what has Lamborghini done to improve upon the outgoing Gallardo? In addition to a new chassis, Lamborghini says the Huracán is its most technologically advanced model to date. Mounted amidship, the 610 hp V10 uses Lamborghini’s new ‘‘Iniezione Diretta Stratificata’’ (IDS) system that delivers both direct and indirect injections into finely honed cylinders. The new 5.2 liter engine not only twists out 413 lb.ft (560 Nm) of torque but also reportedly delivers lower fuel use ratings and emission outputs, as compared to the Gallardo’s V10. A combined EU consumption figure of 12.5 liters /100 km (18.8 mpg) and emission outputs of 290 g/km CO2 are slated for the new car, with “Stop & Start” technology taking some credit for the improved data.

With power going to all four wheels, the Huracán is said to make 100 km/h (62 mph) in a rather lively 3.2 seconds, making it faster through the initial acceleration range than a 2012 Gallardo LP 570-4 by 0.2 seconds. The Huracán reaches 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).

Lamborghini’s rigid new “hybrid chassis” is comprised of a mix of carbon and aluminum components that result in a weight of 1,422 kg (3135 lb) and a power to weight ratio of 2.33 kg/hp (5.14 lb/hp). The outgoing Gallardo LP 560-4 does actually show a lower weight figure at 1,410 kg (3,109 lb) meaning the additional poundage must be coming from somewhere else in the build. Given Lamborghini's engineering sharing with Audi there is in all likelihood some crossover going on between the Huracán and the R8 series, but we won't know the exact specifics until next month.

As far as the drivetrain is concerned, the exotic Spanish hurricane puts power to the road via a new 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. The LDF or ‘‘Lamborghini Doppia Frizione” transmission arrangement, in partner with the fully electronic all-wheel-drive system, allows drivers to setup the car for track or various road conditions. Like the Aventador, drivers can access and adjust three system settings via a red switch at the 6 o'clock position on the steering wheel. Strada, Sport or Corsa modes provide an increasingly level of engine, transmission, suspension and exhaust outputs that progressively tighten up the car.

Lamborghini has outfitted the Huracán with serious carbon ceramic brake discs to assist in deceleration, though exact tire and brake specifics are in the mail. A variable steering setup called “Lamborghini Dynamic Steering” is optional for managing the twisty bits as is something called the “magneto-rheologic” suspension control system.

But whereas engineering improvements are open to interpretation upon driving the car, the aesthetic impression the Huracán makes is undoubtedly a strong one. Retaining some design elements from the Gallardo the new Lamborghini brings with it cleaner, less cluttered lines. While the Gallardo’s nose appears stubbier and heavier, with more pronounced intakes, the Huracán’s grille and hood treatment are lower, leaner and more fluid. Lamborghini points out that the car’s design is premised off one continuous line that flows unimpeded from the grille, over the cockpit and off the beautifully sculpted rear end.

Unlike the Gallardo with its tapered boxy cockpit design, the Huracán’s roofline fans out behind the B-pillar and flares out seamlessly over the rear haunches. Lamborghini’s signature hexagonal design treatments, like in the Aventador, can be found in various shapes and size throughout the car. The favored geometry of Lamborghini's head designer, Filippo Perini, can also be found in the car’s LED headlight treatments and taillight design.

Huracán’s interior should be of course, exotically fantastic. A 12.3-inch TFT instrument panel provides information on navigation, engine outputs and infotainment. The interior, chock full of hexagonal shapes similar to the Sesto concept, does feature some rather nice Nappa leather and Alcantara finishes. The center console, with red, brushed aluminum starter panel also incorporates Huracán’s various driving mode buttons and AC dials.

Lamborghini’s Huracán LP 610-4 will begin its rounds from next month with private preview events in various European venues before making its public debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Fortunate clients can start taking delivery of the new model starting in the (northern) spring of 2014. Pricing is yet to be confirmed.

Source: Lamborghini