*photos and words by Ricardo Rodriguez-Long
From the moment the Lamborghini Countach arrived on the
market in 1974, the Italian company has been known for making the most
spectacular cars. What is produced in
the Emilia-Romagna area has always been characterized by its visual impact. These
cars always leave everyone speechless.
To increase sales, the firm added a car that was a
little more accessible in the price for the Bolognese tifosi. This is how the
Gallardo model was born, which would become a total success. The Huracán
replaced the Gallardo in 2013, and with its extravagant styling and on-road
performance, it raised the bar for an exotic car.
The latest version is the Huracán Técnica. This is the combination of the STO model's race engine, a firm but street-able suspension, and bodywork that incorporates plenty of aerodynamic enhancements. The Huracán Técnica elevates the driving experience to a whole other level. A racetrack is needed to let the horses gallop at ease and not be above the law. To feel firsthand the merits of this car, I had the opportunity to do it at the Thermal Club track in Palm Springs.
The roar of the engine is unique, and the company worked very hard to fine-tune that “music” into something that
affects all our senses. The 5.2-liter 90-degree V-10-cylinder engine revs
quickly, and pressing the accelerator pushes the engine to 8,000 rpm in a
second. Hundreds of mechanical parts work in unison to create phenomenal
thrust. Controlling 631 horsepower from the seat with a touch of the throttle
and steering wheel is no easy feat. But this car incorporates technological
advances that, working behind the scenes, make it possible to utilize the full
power of the engine without wasting it on lack of traction.
Getting into the car is like getting into a racing car. The
body is only 45 inches tall, and the ground clearance is only a couple of
inches. Already located in the seat, in front of you, is a suede steering wheel
with a switch to change the three modes of engine operation
(Strada-Sport-Corsa).
In the Strada position, everything is calculated for the
best use of the engine-transmission package in the city. The electronic
throttle gradually increases engine speed, and the P-TCS (traction control)
system makes the car a little more docile. The suspension with MagnaRide
electromagnetic valve shock absorbers self-calibrates to handle bumps and asphalt changes without a strong reaction to the steering wheel. The Huracán
Técnica wakes up when we select the Corsa mode. Immediately the exhaust system
opens, and the interior environment is filled with an aural vibration. The
engine revs and accelerates as if the car had no weight. When starting to roll,
the electronic throttle sends signals in milliseconds so that the fuel mixture
reaches the intake manifolds perfectly. There is nothing like the sound and
reaction of a four-stroke engine with normal atmospheric intake. The Huracán
Técnica sings at 5,000 revolutions and reaches a symphonic level at 7,500 RPM.
The rear-wheel drive car surprises with the neutrality of
its chassis, which is a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber. The weight of
just 3,000 pounds disappears when you accelerate. The agility with which it
changes sides and accelerates is at the level of a race car. Controlling over
400 pound-feet of torque hasn't been easy until now. The Huracán Técnica does
not lose its control unless one wants to do a drift. And for this, the car
warns when it is leaving the queue so that the driver can correct it without
surprise.
I was able to enjoy the racetrack without any physical
effort. The car requires very little of the driver to navigate at very high
speeds. You practically aim for the exit of the curve, put your foot down, and
the car does everything. Behind the scenes is a complete engineering system
that monitors everything in real-time. From the
sensors in the exhaust, engine, suspension, and lean angle, the Lamborghini
Dinámica Veicolo Integrata system takes all kinds of action to ensure safe
driving. More than once, I could see lights on the dash indicating when
the technology was helping me out of turn without hesitating.
The body has been modified in search of a better aerodynamic
coefficient and at the same time to improve the airflow over the brakes and
radiators. These enhancements improve the performance in extreme use in a
circuit.
The base price is $307,000. Of course, all the connectivity and infotainment we expect are built in. This Lamborghini can be ordered under unique customization of colors and upholstery that accentuates its exclusivity. But what is special about it is that the Huracán Técnica is a car to drive fast. And a car that is no longer available as they are all pre-sold. A car that becomes one of the last where you can appreciate the DNA created in 1963 by Ferruccio Lamborghini. The pleasure of driving a sports car born in Sant'Agata has no equal.
