The Huracan’s replacement trades its naturally aspirated V10 for a twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain, adding nearly 600 lbs in the transition.
Lamborghini’s baby supercar has evolved. The Huracan is gone, replaced by the all-new Temerario, a triple-motor V8 PHEV with nearly 45% more power than the V10 mid-engine predecessor. Introduced in 2013, the Huracan followed the Gallardo’s blueprint, but the automotive world has dramatically changed since then, and the Temerario reflects this shift, even if it appears similar at first glance.
Lamborghini’s commitment to reducing emissions while increasing power and electrifying its entire lineup meant retiring the Huracan’s 5.2-liter V10 in favor of a turbocharged hybrid setup. Unlike Ferrari’s move to turbocharged V8s, which resulted in higher power but less excitement and a lower redline, Lamborghini aimed to avoid that same misstep.
Yes, the Temerario’s V8 sacrifices two cylinders and some of the turbo-free purity of its predecessor. However, Lamborghini didn’t opt for the easy route by simply using a tuned version of the familiar 4.0-liter cross-plane crank V8 found in many VW Group vehicles, including its own Urus SUV.
Two turbos, 10,000 revs
Instead, the Temerario features its own unique twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. While it shares the hot-vee turbo configuration with the Urus V8, only the Temerario’s version comes with a proper supercar-grade flat-plane crank. Unlike the standard VW Group V8’s 86 x 86 mm bore-to-stroke ratio, the new L411-code V8 boasts a 90 mm bore and 78.5 mm stroke (3.54 x 3.09 in), allowing it to rev to an astonishing 10,000 rpm—an unheard-of feat for a production turbocharged engine.
This extreme revving capability isn’t typical for turbo motors, but Lamborghini ensures the V8 delivers a more thrilling sound than most turbo engines. They even designed it to transmit subtle vibrations through the car’s body and seats, enhancing the overall sensory experience.
To ensure you can repeatedly hit that five-digit redline without the Temerario’s engine faltering, the new L411 V8 incorporates advanced materials and technologies to handle immense rotational forces. Features include a motorsport-grade cast aluminum crankcase, titanium conrods, and valve followers coated in Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC), all engineered to remain reliable at up to 11,000 rpm.
The combustion engine alone produces 789 hp (800 PS) between 9,000 and 9,750 rpm, compared to the 631 hp (640 PS) at 8,000 rpm of the old Huracan Evo. In terms of torque, the turbocharged V8 delivers a robust 538 lb-ft (730 Nm), surpassing the old V10’s 443 lb-ft (600 Nm), not including the additional power from the three 110 kW (148 hp / 150 PS) electric motors.
Two of these motors, located at the front, provide all-wheel drive and torque vectoring, and also enable front-wheel drive in Citta (city) mode. A third motor, positioned between the V8 and the new eight-speed transmission, serves as a starter generator and adds up to 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque, effectively minimizing turbo lag.
Overall, the powertrain produces an impressive 907 hp (920 PS), surpassing the Ferrari 296 GTB (819 hp / 830 PS) and both McLaren’s Artura (671 hp / 680 PS) and 750S (740 hp / 750 PS). However, this significant increase in power comes with added weight, somewhat akin to a bodybuilder’s bulk.
No lightweight
The Temerario weighs 3,726 lbs (1,690 kg), making it 592 lbs (268 kg) heavier than the Huracan LP640 Evo and 485 lbs (220 kg) more than the Ferrari 296’s claimed weight. Although the Ferrari is rear-wheel drive and should be lighter, Lamborghini notes that the electric front axle only adds 161 lbs (73 kg), highlighting the Temerario’s substantial heft.
Despite its weight, the Temerario accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.7 seconds, slightly faster than the 2.9 seconds of its predecessor, and its top speed has increased from 202 mph (325 km/h) to 213 mph (343 km/h). However, the braking distance has slightly increased from 31.9 to 32 meters, reflecting the added mass.
While the Temerario’s powertrain might suggest a scaled-down version of the V12 Revuelto, the exterior design is more restrained. Though similar in silhouette and featuring high, center-mounted exhausts, the Temerario has more subdued front and side air intakes and horizontally oriented slim LED headlights.
Family ties, engineering differences
The differences extend beyond looks. Unlike the Revuelto’s carbon fiber chassis, the Temerario uses an aluminum spaceframe, like the Huracan. Its 104.7-inch (2,658 mm) wheelbase is 4.8 inches (121 mm) shorter than the Revuelto’s but 1.5 inches (38 mm) longer than the Huracan’s, offering improved legroom and headroom, accommodating taller drivers with helmets required for track events.
Inside, the Temerario mirrors its older sibling closely. It features the same dashboard layout, including a customizable digital gauge cluster, a portrait touchscreen, and a starter button on the console concealed under a red cover resembling a fighter jet switch. The flat-bottom steering wheel, complete with a drive mode selector and EV button, is also identical. Drivers can choose from four driving modes: Citta, Strada, Sport Corsa, and Corsa Plus, with the latter deactivating the ESP.
The Temerario also features a drift mode with three settings to accommodate various levels of oversteer skill. If you want to showcase your drifting abilities or create automotive content, you can capture the action using the Lamborghini Vision Unit, which includes three cameras recording footage of the road, the occupants, and a rear over-the-shoulder view. Additionally, the Temerario tracks telemetry data on any of 150 global circuits and can even integrate it with the driver’s heart rate readings if they use an Apple Watch.
Short-range EV
Driving in EV mode will keep your heart rate steady, but only for a short distance. Lamborghini hasn’t provided a specific range, but with a small 3.8 kWh battery, you’ll likely travel just a few miles (3.5 km) before the V10 engine engages. In contrast, the lighter Ferrari 296 features twice the battery capacity and offers a real-world EV range of about 7-10 miles (11-16 km), compared to its claimed 15 miles (24 km).
Charging the Temerario takes 30 minutes with a 7 kW supply, or you can use the V8 to recharge on the go by switching to Recharge mode. However, this mode reduces power to 715 hp (725 PS), which is still significantly more than the 187 hp (190 PS) available in pure EV mode.
Get ready for Spyders, track versions and more
This initial Temerario—like the Revuelto, it lacks the traditional LP suffix—is only the beginning. We can look forward to Spyder roadsters and lightweight, track-focused versions in the coming years. Lamborghini’s R&D chief, Rouven Mohr, hinted to Carscoops in May that a lighter, simpler rear-wheel drive variant might be in development, potentially making it a strong competitor to the rear-wheel drive Ferrari 296.
Just as Ferrari introduced a racier Assetto Fiorano option for the 296, giving a preview of a more extreme version to come, Lamborghini offers a similar ‘Alleggerita’ (lightweight) package for the Temerario. This package includes a CFRP composite rear deck panel, undertray, and body kit, reducing weight by 28 lbs (12.7 kg). While the weight savings might seem modest, it enhances the Temerario’s rear downforce improvement to 158% over the old Huracan Evo.
For those looking to further reduce both the Temerario’s weight and cost, a Lightweight Pack for the interior adds carbon door panels, slimmer rear window glass, and polycarbonate side panes. When combined with optional carbon wheels, a carbon diffuser, and a titanium exhaust, the Alleggerita kit can shave over 55 lbs (25 kg) off the curb weight.
Lamborghini has yet to announce prices for the Temerario, but with its enhanced power, performance, and technology compared to the $250k Huracan, it’s expected to be priced around the $342k mark of the Ferrari 296 GTB.
