Lamborghini Australia Reveals Huracán LP 580-2.
It’s all about the numbers and letters: V10, 5.2L, 426 kilowatts/580 horsepower, 540 torques with 75% of that available at just 1000 revs, 1389 kilograms, 40/60 percent front to rear weight distribution, and Sir has the new to Australia Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2.
Revealed to selected members of the Sydney automotive media in a low key yet razzledazzle event at Sydney Lamborghini in the inner western suburb of Leichhardt, with the event hosted by the affable dealer principal, Dwyer Ogle, and attended by Automobili Lamborghini’s Country Manager for Australia (and five other countries too) Eginado Bertoli, the Huracán LP 580-2 will be aimed at the affluent driving enthusiast. The two wheel drive version starts at $415000 drive away.
The LP 580-2 has been given a mild makeover to distinguish it from its all wheel drive, larger engine, sibling. There’s the restyled front and rear, the nose featuring redesigned air intakes directing air to increase front axle downforce whilst the rear’s design features a spoiler lip in the bodywork which combines with the diffuser’s angle in the underbody to improve the airflow, negating any need for a moving spoiler.
Pirelli’s fabled P-Zero tyres wrap 19 inch diameter alloys, of different width front to rear, with steel brakes and aluminuim calipers contoured for better air flow and weight reduction. There’s also a new power management setup, with the suspension being modified, new steering componentry and recalibrated traction & stability control systems, with the Strada, Sport and Corso settings tune to add to the fun factor, with an emphasis on oversteer.
The V10 engine, for all of its brute force, will feature fuel saving technology, with one cylinder bank shutting down when the computers see no need for all ten to be in firing mode, bring the combined fuel economy figure to under twelve litres of 98 RON consumed per 100 kilometres. Power to weight, thanks to the carbon fibre and aluminuim chassis, is 2.4 horsepower per kilo.
Grunt is sent to the tarmac via the Lamborghini Doppia Frizione (LDF) seven-speed dual clutch auro, calibrated for quicker changes and also loads in a launch control system.
Hidden from view but vitally important in how this rear wheel drive car will operate is the optional Magneto Rheological Suspension, MRS, coupling with the Lamborghini Piattaforma Inerziale, a 3D sensor system located in the Huracán’s centre of gravity, providing real time input to the MRS and traction systems.
What immediately captured the attention was the launch video, demonstrating exactly what this car will be capable of, given a talented driver and a race track. Power slides, sideways drifting, full on attitude controlled by the right foot. Lamborghini emphasized that they stay true to their naturally aspirated engine heritage, with the 5.8L V10 delivering that power and torque sans blower or hairdryer.
Opening the doors shows a hard edged look to the cabin and console, with a 12.1 inch TFT full colour display screen in the dash, with the car shown, (in left hand drive), displaying a vibrant yellow-orange highlight package to the carbon fibre and black interior. It looked somewhat cramped yet a taller member of the media contingent folded himself in easily and looked more than comfortable.
During his opening address, Eginado touched upon a key element of how this car will be presented: fun, enjoyable technology. He also said: “Nowadays, with Lamborghini being famous for four wheel drive, we have the strategy to differentiate the product in order to fit all tastes of the customer driving styles.” Referencing Lamborghini’s history, Bertoli says:”It (the LP 580-2) fits to our heritage, to the Lamborghini DNA, with the Miura, the Countach were cars with two wheel drive versions.”
With buyers of Lamborghini’s cars more than well heeled, Australia’s stifling road laws would see that fun not displayed on a suburban piece of tarmac. However, with race tracks and driver education centres hosting drive days, with Sydney based The Formula Company running out of Sydney Motorsport Park at Eastern Creek as one example, the fun factor will be dialed up for drivers at these venues and will allow them to extract every erg of the Huracán’s ability.
In a short interview after the presentation, the engaging Ogle, a burly Irishman with a keen sense of humour, described how he sees the LP 580-2: “Lamborghini has unashamedly made this car to be entertaining, first and foremost. It’s not the most efficient way to get from point to point, we have the 610 for that, which is precise, unbelievably fast, incredibly competent and then we have its slightly unruly younger brother here (gestures towards the LP 580-2 which is really fast but bloody entertaining. It’s for someone who, I guess, ultimately wants to control something on the edge, to control something that to others is uncontrollable.”
That final section succinctly states what Lamborghini sees the Huracán LP 580-2 to be; in a range of cars that are knife sharp in their handling, their poise and sheer on road ability, there’s still room for a manageable amount of insanity.
When asked if he thought the LP 580-2 was for the driving enthusiasts in the Lamborghini customer base, Ogle said: “I think it is, Lamborghini have traditionally always had a rear wheel drive model, it’s part of the DNA, it’s part of the fabric of the brand. It’s always been that slightly menacing car (with a wicked gleam in his eye) and it provides that extra level of menace.”
On the prospective customer approach, Dwyer said: “We’ve retained the Lamborghini traditions. We’ve seen some future Lamborghini traditionalists, we’ve seen some unashamedly leave other brands, and if you’re fortunate enough, this (the LP 580-2) becomes an “as well” and we’ve got a few of those. I don’t think we’ve set out to target other brands, I think it’s a natural consequence of if you build the best car in the segment and you price it accordingly and you provide the correct levels of service afterwards (with a slight but unmistakable emphasis on those words) they buy it.”
Key to the driving experience are the three driving modes selectable via an ANIMA (Adaptive Network Intelligent Managemnt, the soul) steering wheel mounted switch; Strada is is for everyday driving, with a slight emphasis on understeer. Sport moves the goalposts a bit by emphasising a touch of oversteer, aiming for that emotional connection with the fun factor while Corsa is for full blown track insanity by balancing the car’s handling characteristics, allowing the driver to take advantage of both the engine and the neutral chassis “feel”.
Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2. The essence of driving fun.
Orders for the Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2 are being taken now. Contact your state’s Lamborghini dealer for details.
With thanks to Origin Agency for the information and opportunity to attend, and to Eginado Bertoli & Dwyer Ogle for their time. Some images courtesy of Lamborghini Media.
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