It’s been just over a year since I first drove the Lamborghini Huracan on twisty Spanish roads and flat out on the Ascari race circuit.
Yes it’s awesomely powerful, but one of the things that impressed me most was just how much more livable it had become over its predecessor. But would you really want to drive it every day?
What better way to put that theory to the test than by tackling the Huracan’s greatest challenge . . . my daily commute.
Raging on the Road
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
I spend a lot of my day stuck in traffic. Only I don’t normally look as rich, handsome and fun as I do when I’m driving a Lambo.
Unfortunately driving such a machine does have its drawbacks.
As a professional vehicle reviewer I can tell you the Huracan is much worse than a Honda Accord; or at least that’s true when it comes to sight lines.
While visibility is less than ideal, the plus side is that no one can really see you, It’s like a built-in privacy wall. And that’s nice, because I don’t have to look over to know that every other driver around me is already staring.
It also has far fewer cup holders than an Accord. And by fewer, I mean none.
Playing with Buttons
Sitting in traffic provides a LOT of time to fiddle with buttons, some of which do take some getting used to.
If you’ve ever driven a modern Audi, however, many of these controls will be familiar.
The gauges are easy to read, although something that’s really taken time master are the signals. There are no turn signal stocks. Instead they’re tiny little buttons on the steering wheel – not unlike turn signals on a motorcycle.
The same format goes for the wiper controls.
While a small annoyance, at least there’s a solid reason behind it. With banana-sized paddle shifters, there’s just no room left.
And while on the topic of the interior, I should point out that the seats are a bit of a paradox. They’re not particularly comfy, feeling like a soft coating of Alcantara over a hard plastic frame. And yet, after several hours of driving they’re in no way uncomfortable; a pleasant surprise.
Then there’s the color. This cabin is absolutely ridiculous. However, if you are going buy a Lamborghini, well, this is exactly what you probably want. No one would believe this car has anything in common with an R8.
Dual-Clutch Smoothness
Crawling along in traffic there’s no jerking back and forth like in supercars of recent history. Credit goes to the new dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission. You can shift it yourself with the paddles or just let the car’s more advanced intellect do it for you.
The Anima switch in the middle of the steering wheel, (which, by the way, is a pretty inconvenient place to put it), controls the car’s steering, throttle, gear changes and suspension. A Corsa mode is designed for track use, but for commuting it’s best left in Strada.
That’s the most relaxed driving mode. The exhaust is nearly silent and the gearchanges almost imperceptible. You can even just let you foot up a little and it will creep along in traffic like a Buick – an Italian made, V10-powered, exotic Buick.
SEE ALSO: Lamborghini Huracan First Drive
The suspension is actually comfy and the car wants to be in the highest gear possible for a smooth and reasonably fuel efficient drive.
I say reasonably because at best the car will get 16 mpg combined, though that’s really not going to happen, especially if you switch over to Sport mode, which under light throttle holds each gear until about 4k rpm.
Driving around with the engine revving away is a bit of a douchebag thing to do, but so is not driving a Lamborghini and judging others. So please, don’t judge me.
What about parking, gas and maintenance?
But enough revving and you’re certain to run out of 94 octane rather fast. Thankfully the Huracan has a nice reminder that doesn’t just tell you that you’re getting low, but actually asks you if you’d like directions to the nearest gas station.
Just be careful which route you choose, as there’s no telling what the roads are like and it’s probably best to stay on smoother pavement – and avoid construction zones, which are everywhere near my house, forcing me to take the long way.
When you do stop to fill up, getting into the gas station, or any other parking lot, is now less stressful due to an airlift system on the front axle that can add a few inches of ground clearance. And I’m pleased to report that unlike the Murcielago I drove eight years ago this one stays in the up position even after you turn it off so idiots like me can keep their fancy pearlescent metallic orange paint on the car, and not the asfalt.
Regardless of the added height, I’m confident this car wouldn’t make it into my office’s underground garage unscathed. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m certainly not going to try.
As for filling up, it might not bankrupt you but you’ve probably heard stories about how much Italian exotics like this cost to maintain. But honestly, if you can afford the $240,000 asking price, if an oil change is going to bankrupt you, maybe it’s best to stick with your Corvette.
Lamborghini Huracan Video Review: The Verdict
Let’s recap shall we.
If you own a Lamborghini Huracan you’ll start every morning by waking up all of your neighbors, ensuring that they’re not only jealous but now also sleep deprived.
You’ll have to take the long way everywhere, because short cuts might get the car dirty or scratch the paint.
And when you do get to the office you won’t be able to get it into the parking garage.
And it’s not even 9 a.m.
But in between you’ll look like a badass and maybe, just maybe, traffic won’t be so bad today.
Discuss this story at our Lamborghini Forum
Leave a Reply