Yahoo Autos The Lamborghini Temerario Is a 907-HP Hybrid Huracan Heir
The story of a supercar is often one of rapid rise and inevitable decay, as initially positive impressions fade to ones of stale, outdated style and tech as the car grows long in the tooth — until a shiny, new, clean-sheet model replaces it. After 10 years of faithful service, it's come time for Lamborghini's Huracán to make its own graceful exit — which means it's time for its replacement, the Lamborghini Temerario, to start making a legacy of its own.
Officially launched on Friday at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, the long-teased Huracán successor finally has arrived, bearing a name that translates to "reckless" — which is only fitting for a new supercar powered by a high-revving twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 and a trio of electric motors.
The power specifics of the all-new Temerario engine are worthy of praise on their own —788 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque— but the addition of two electric motors on the front axle and one integrated alongside the engine bumps the total power figure to a whopping 907 hp. The new Lambo boasts a top speed of 213 mph, and a claimed 0-62 mph time of 2.7 seconds.
However, the engineering behind the new engine — internally known as the L411 — makes the Temerario even more exciting than its raw figures make it seem. Lamborghini's engine orientation choices were not only influenced by keeping things cool, as evidenced by its top-mounted exhaust system, but also by the dire need to fill a torque gap while making the transition to a twin-turbocharged engine. To remedy this, Lamborghini has stuffed an oil-cooled axial flow electric motor between the flat-plane-crank V-8 engine and eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The result is a freight-train-like pull all the way up to the engine's 10,000-rpm redline.
An all-new dual-clutch gearbox helps funnel the massive amounts of power to all four wheels, but its layout isn't typical for a dual-clutch transmission; as in the new Revuelto, it's installed transversely behind the engine. Lamborghini added an additional hollow shaft so the 'box could share the same synchronizers for different torque paths, as compared to the outgoing seven-speed dual-clutch. The result: faster shifts in a lighter package.
The decision to use a flat-plane crank was made not only in the name of generating a healthy wail, but also to ensure optimal fluid dynamics with an even firing order. Even the metallurgy of the L411 engine is fascinating: titanium connecting rods and A357+Cu grade aluminum engine casings make up the engine's structure. Other only-Lamborghini-would touches include 11,000-rpm-capable finger followers, 3D printed engine internals, and a five-stage gear scavenge oil pump mounted with the model's low center of gravity in mind.
The combination of three 34-pound electric motors and two turbochargers may seem like an example of building a bomb to kill a cockroach, but there's a method to the madness. Lamborghini says the primary reason behind the powertrain's complexity is to keep the naturally aspirated feel of the Huracán alive in an era when a naturally aspirated V-10 alone would be hard to swing, emissions-wise. The Bologna-based company is addressing the sonic perils of forced induction by adding an additional sound symposer, a specialized exhaust system, and drive mode-specific acoustic tuning.
You can even be a mindful neighbor by throwing the Temerario in Città mode, which turns the supercar into an EV for a short distance by leveraging its 3.8-kWh battery pack. Charge time to full on a plug is under 30 minutes, and Lamborghini says it can also be charged in full through regenerative braking.
The Temerario's handling chops and its electrified powertrain are linked, according to Lamborghini. While torque vectoring is present, it only activates when absolutely necessary, primarily through the three electric motors — reducing stress on the carbon ceramic 10-piston-front / four-piston-rear brakes. Lamborghini says it employed a body-in-white construction style for its new battery-laden aluminum spaceframe, piecing it together from castings and hydro-formed structures. This reduction in manufacturing complexity accounts for a total of 50% fewer components used in the production process, 80% less total weld bead length compared to the Huracán — and, best of all, a 20% increase in structural rigidity.
Five drive modes (Città, Strada, Sport, Corsa, and Corsa Plus) are available on the Temerario, all of which adjust the throttle response, electronic stability control, suspension, and electric torque delivery as needed. A three-level drift mode is also available, with each tier decreasing the level of aid and increasing the angle of the slide. You'll want to be careful with just how much you drift, however, as Lamborghini teamed up with Bridgestone to make a model-specific Potenza tire that's sure to cost a pretty penny, especially when fitted to the 20- and 21-inch wheels of the Temerario.
The exterior and interior designs of the Temerario are shaped by the themes of hexagons and aviation, respectively. While the outside builds on its shark-shaped, sharp-cornered predecessor with a six-sided shape motif for the lights and exhaust pipes, the interior is made to feel like you're behind the yoke of a plane; the seating position, steering wheel ergonomics, and screen setup are meant to make drivers feel like they're sinking into the cockpit.
But the exterior shares some traits with aircraft as well — namely, aerodynamic magic. The design features airflow channels meant to eliminate turbulent air passing across and through the car. To this end, the side-radiator feeding wing mirrors, beefed-up rear wing, and underbody vortex generators have been tweaked to allow for 103% more rear downforce compared to the Huracán EVO —increasing to 158 percent if the car is equipped with the carbon fiber-rich Alleggerita Pack. Alleggerita-spec models come with a carbon fiber reinforced polymer splitter, recycled carbon fiber underbody panels, carbon rims, and a titanium muffler. The net weight reduction result is only 55 pounds — but, hey, every pound counts in the supercar wars.
The Temerario is also making good on Lamborghini's mission to increase technology integration in its supercars. Featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, an 8.4-inch central screen, and an optional 9.1-inch passenger display, the Temerario is full of screens, all running through one computer brain and using model-specific graphics. One Road & Track-approved benefit of all this technology: the inclusion of a three-camera system that can monitor and record your track laps to help you improve your driving. (These cameras are also used for safety purposes, of course.)
Pricing details and an official production timeline have yet to be announced. Strategically, however, this Huracán replacement represents another big step towards the future for Lamborghini. Filling out the hybridized Lamborghini lineup behind the Revuelto and the Urus SE, the Temerario is blazing a trail towards the future of the supercar — and we're excited to see where it leads.
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