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The end of an era.
The best Lamborghini Huracan
By: Ricardo   |  Email: Ricardo@labest.com

*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.

 An essential part of what makes the Huracán Técnica special is the 7-speed gearbox, with a double clutch, which can electronically vary the moment of change. The brakes are competition-type and adapted for street use. Six-piston front and four-rear calipers on huge carbon-ceramic discs bring the car to a stop in close quarters when traveling at 200 miles per hour.

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.

The end of an era.
The best Lamborghini Huracan

By: Ricardo
E-Mail:
Ricardo@labest.com


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