Driving purists will admit that when it comes to the ultimate driving experience, few vehicles beat a red-blooded, amped-up rear-wheel drive supercar.
Enter the Lamborghini Huracán EVO RWD.
The guys over at Automobili Lamborghini heard the rumbles of desire and introduced this rear-wheel-drive monster that leaves little to be desired when it comes to creating a visceral machine.
But don’t be overly fooled, there are enough technical advancements in place so that the most novice of drivers can handle the car with sufficient proficiency to enjoy all its accolades.
I’m getting ahead of myself here. It takes a bit to pace myself talking about this beautiful machine because just looking at the Huracán EVO RWD, my heart skips a couple of beats.
Now, I’m not one for fancy cars, and obviously super cars are way out of my league. But I do know what my eyes like, and it adores the styling of this ‘compact’ Lamborghini.
The iconic wedge shape is retained in the EVO RWD, but unique design elements enhances a silhouette that already ranks as one of the most identifiable, and aspirational, in the industry. The shark-like front now sports a new front splitter with vertical fins in the framed air intakes.
From the side, the Huracán DNA is noticeable with its ferocious rake accentuated by aggressive side skirting.
While the front and side profiles possess the type of elegance that Italian designers are known for, Lamborghini’s engineers took hold of the reins when it comes to the rear. A new high-gloss black diffuser in the rear bumper is unique to the Huracán EVO RWD, and together with the rear motor racing-influenced F-duct spoiler that increases downforce, offering enough conviction that this is a car that means business when driven at high speeds.
Sure, the Lamborghini Huracán EVO RWD looks a hundred miles an hour just standing still (it is capable of a knee-shaking 325km/h top speed). But its true mettle will be had only when you get behind the driver’s seat and take it through its paces, preferably on a winding mountain road with nothing in front.
Ok, I was just imagining that last bit when I test drove this car, but even through South Buona Vista’s hairpins (if you can call them that), I could tell that there was a beast under the bonnet (figuratively, of course, because the engine actually sits behind the driver in this mid-engine vehicle) just waiting to be let loose.
The legendary Lamborghini V10 powerhouse is a 5.2-litre, naturally aspirated engine that puts out 610hp with 560Nm of torque. In a straight line, it can go from standing still to 100km/h in just 3.3 seconds.
Of course, going in a straight line is beside the point in this rear-wheel drive dream machine. Stepping aside from the EVO 4WD, the RWD model is all about the passion for a more emotive driving experience, where the driver, not so much the engineering prowess of the car, takes the initiative.
Don’t get me wrong. There are enough state-of-the-art technical provisions to help. Chief among these is the Performance Traction Control System (P-TCS) that makes sure you get enough torque when the car is ‘realigning’ following drifting or side slipping.
Rest assured, I didn’t get to try this out during my day with the Huracan EVO RWD, less I receive a summons in the mail. But I did get a good sense that I had control of the car all the time and it did what I wanted it to do.
Counter-intuitively, the Huracan EVO RWD is a highly driveable car in the sense that it’s so easy to take around the city. It may look like it’s a ferocious animal that needs to be tamed each time you flip the engine start switch (which is really neat, by the way, in that you get to lift a cool-looking latch – like launching a missile – in order to get to the button).
The truth is that once the engine is on, the car handles like a pussy cat that listens to your every command obediently.
The three driving modes allow you allow you to get what you want out of this car. For regular city driving, the STRADA mode is more than sufficient and the P-TCS works to ensure safety in different conditions.
But the Lamborghini in the EVO RWD really comes alive in SPORT when the rear wheels are allowed to slide and skate during drifting or accelerating. Don’t worry, the PTC-S knows when oversteer is likely and limits torque delivery to the rear wheel for more stability and control.
And if you really want to let the proverbial bat out of hell, the CORSA mode sees the P-TCS optimise the car’s traction and agility when exiting a corner. The new Huracan EVO RWD improves this intervention by 30 per cent over the previous model, and ups corner-exit traction by 20 per cent.
To add to its nimbleness, the Huracan EVO RWD has a chassis that is made from a mix of aluminium and carbon fibre for a total weight of just 1,389kg, nearly 200kg lighter than a Ferrari SF90. This adds to the impressive 2.28kg/hp weight-to-power ratio.
Power and structure are duly supported by a double wishbone suspension, passive shock absorbers, and an electro-mechanical, servo-assisted Lamborghini Dynamic Steering that make sure that the car behaves the way its intended when you stretch its legs around the bends.
The sensory feedback from sitting in the cockpit is commensurate with the aesthetics outside. Racing seats are firm and comfortable, wrapping you securely, yet allowing some semblance of movement.
I really like the 8.4-inch HMI touchscreen in the centre console that gives you access to many of the car’s functions. The drive mode button is conveniently located on the steering wheel, as are the windscreen wipers and turn signals (curiously mimicking that of Italian Vespa scooters).
As you can expect, the infotainment system includes full connectivity like telephone calls, internet, and Apple CarPlay.
At this price point (not quite seven figures, but close when you throw in options), Lamborghini’s Ad Personam programme lets you customise colour and trim preference. But you can’t really go too far wrong with the new Giallo Belenus (yellow) that will certainly turn heads anywhere you go, especially when you round a sharp turn, step on the gas and blaze out of sight.
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