Sporting 640 horsepower, Lamborghini has released all the details on its hardcore, Nurburgring record-setting Huracan Performante.
For the past couple weeks, the Italian automaker has been teasing the Huracan Performante, confirming that it lapped the Nurburgring in 6:52.01, making it the fastest production car yet, beating the Porsche 918 Spyder. The high-performance exotic will make its public debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show this week, showing off its lightweight technologies and active aerodynamics that contributed to the record-setting lap time.
For starters, the Lamborghini Huracan Performante sheds 88 pounds (40 kilograms) thanks to the use of Forged Composite in structural components including front and rear spoiler, the engine cover, rear bumper and aerodynamic diffuser. But helping make the biggest difference is what Lamborghini calls “Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva” (ALA), which is a patented active aerodynamic system developed by the company for the Huracan Performante. ALA, which is also the Italian word for wing, provides an active variation of aero load for high downforce or low drag.
It’s a fancy system, completely integrated into the vehicle in terms of design, weight and performance. The front spoiler on the Huracan Performante integrates the electric motor of the front ALA system, built in a carbon forged frame with active flaps on the top exterior surface. 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. But when ALA switches to on, the front flaps are opened by the 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.
There’s a similar system in the rear, with four ducts installed below the rear hood. The two central ducts are always open, while the two external ducts are connected to the inner channels of the rear wing. Two electro-actuated flaps are used to control the airflow through the rear wing channels, and Lamborghini says the entire system is 80-percent lighter than a traditional hydraulic setup. When ALA is off, the rear flaps are closed so the rear wing acts like a traditional fixed wing. This enhances stability in high speed cornering and full braking by creating maximum vertical downforce, which Lamborghini claims is 750 percent more than the standard Huracan coupe.
2017 Geneva Motor Show Coverage
ALA is turned on in high throttle conditions, opening the rear flaps to allow air through the rear wing’s inner channels and directing airflow through ridges underneath the wing. This helps reduce drag and maximize the car’s acceleration and top speed capabilities.
All of this is further complemented by the boost in performance to 640 hp and 443 pound-feet of torque, making the Huracan Performante’s engine the most powerful V10 produced to date by Lamborghini. The powerplant is made unique with a new bronze manifold.
We already know the Performante is fast around the Nurburgring, but how about its other specifications? Dry weight comes in at 3,047 lbs (1,382 kgs), while weight distribution is 43-percent front, 57-percent rear. As a result, zero-to-62 mph (0-100 km/h) is done in 2.9 seconds.
When it arrives in the U.S. this summer, the Huracan Performante will cost around $274,390.
“The Huracán Performante is the convergence of technological developments to produce a car delivering perfect performance,” says Automobili Lamborghini chairman and CEO 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.”
