2018 Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera: Lambo's Supercar Strips Down

What It Is: A lightweight version of Lamborghini’s Huracán supercar—hence the name, superleggera (meaning “super light”). This prototype’s aggressive front splitter and large, fixed rear wing promise an aggressive, track-focused aerodynamic package. It also should boast upgraded wheels and tires and brake components to complement a stiffer suspension tune. What it won’t have is the standard Huracán LP610-4’s all-wheel-drive system, as the simpler and slightly lighter rear-drive LP580-2, introduced last year, will surely be the basis for the new Huracán Superleggera.

Why It Matters: Stripping the Huracán LP610-4’s all-wheel-drive hardware to create the rear-wheel-drive LP580-2 only lightened the Huracán by a claimed 73 pounds. To pare it down to fighting weight, a more extreme diet is required. The Huracán Superleggera likely will use plenty of carbon fiber—possibly of Lamborghini’s own forged variety—and a significantly stripped-out interior without the luxurious appointments used in the standard Huracán.

Platform: The Superleggera will use the same mid-engine chassis as the standard rear-drive Huracán LP580-2, but with reduced mass thanks to the carbon fiber in the body and a shorter equipment list. With its focus on high performance over cruising in style, the Superleggera isn’t expected to spawn a Spyder variant. A short list of both standard and optional equipment will also trim weight to a minimum.

Powertrain: The 5.2-liter V-10 was detuned to 573 horsepower for its application in the rear-drive LP580-2, but expect Lamborghini to go in the opposite direction with the Superleggera model. More muscle than the standard, all-wheel-drive Huracán’s 602 horsepower should be on the menu, with the standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic remaining the only transmission choice. (We haven’t seen a stick-shift Lambo for years now.)

Competition: Ferrari 488GTB, Ford GT, McLaren 675LT, Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

Estimated Arrival and Price: Watch for the Superleggera to arrive sometime in 2017—with an MSRP reflecting a significant premium over the standard Huracán LP610-4’s starting price of $242,445. We suspect $300,000 isn’t out of the question, which would fill some of the wide-open price territory between the Huracán and the $400,000-plus Aventador.