The Huracan Performante is the result of Lamborghini innovations, producing a super sports car balanced between achieving the best lap times on a circuit with the most engaging and dynamic road driving. On 5 October 2016, the Huracan Performante set a new production car lap record of 6:52.01 minutes on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany.
Based on a hybrid aluminum and carbon fibre frame, the Huracan Performante’s body is produced from aluminum in conjunction with significant use throughout of Lamborghini’s award-winning Forged Composite. Using chopped carbon fibers in a resin, Forged Composite allows the creation of lightweight, complex geometrical shapes beyond that possible with traditional carbon fibre composite materials, while maintaining optimum stiffness.
The Performante features Forged Composite in structural components including front and rear spoiler, the engine bonnet, rear bumper and aerodynamic diffuser, contributing to the car’s weight reduction of 40kg.
The Huracan Performante adopts Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva (ALA) – ALA is also the Italian word for wing. This patented active aerodynamic system developed by Lamborghini for the Huracán Performante provides an active variation of aero load for high downforce or low drag.
The system is completely integrated into the vehicle in terms of design, weight and performance. The front spoiler integrates the electric motor of the front ALA system, built in a carbon forged frame with active flaps on the top exterior surface. The rear bonnet is designed around the air ducts to the rear wing as well as the wing pylons.
Lamborghini’s Piattaforma Inerziale (LPI) governs all the car’s electronic systems in “real time” and is perfectly integrated with the ALA system, activating the ALA system flaps in less than 500 milliseconds to ensure the best aerodynamic setup of the supercar in every driving condition.
When ALA is off, the active flaps inside the front spoiler are closed, generating the desired high downforce for high-speed cornering and full-braking conditions. When ALA switches to on, the front flaps are opened by the front electric motor, reducing air pressure on the front spoiler and directing airflow via an inner channel and through the specially shaped underside of the car. This drastically reduces drag and optimises conditions for maximum acceleration and top speed.
In the rear of the Performante, four ducts are installed below the rear bonnet. The two central ducts are always open to allow underhood ventilation and exhaust cooling, while the two external ducts are connected to the inner channels of the rear wing. The airflow through the rear wing channels is controlled by two electro-actuated flaps. The entire system is 80 percent lighter than a traditional hydraulic system.
When ALA is off, the rear flaps are closed, permitting the rear wing to act as a traditional fixed wing. Stability is enhanced in high-speed cornering and full braking by creating maximum vertical downforce – 750 percent more than the standard Huracán coupé.
The LPI turns on the ALA in high-throttle conditions, opening the rear flaps to allow air through the rear wing’s inner channels and directing airflow through ridges underneath the wing. This reduces drag and maximises the car’s acceleration and top-speed capabilities.
In addition, the rear wing’s inner air channel is split right and left, allowing aero vectoring for high-speed cornering. Depending on the direction of the turn, the LPI instructs ALA to be switched on in either the right or left side of the spoiler, increasing downforce and traction on the inner wheel, counteracting the load transfer in rolling conditions. This in turn optimises the chassis’ momentum, requiring a reduced steering angle and improving the car’s overall dynamic stability.
The Huracan Performante contains the DNA of a true Lamborghini, with its design unmistakably describing and emphasising the car’s purpose and inherent technologies, like a piece of technical art.
Reflecting the pure lines and performance of Lamborghini Super Trofeo racecars, the design also takes inspiration, particularly at the rear, from naked performance motorcycles, with their exposed frames and “streetfighter” structures expressing function and performance.
Moreover, the design highlights the active aerodynamics (ALA) and lightweight build that are so integral to the car. Gloss, naked Forged Composite, with its ability to be shaped or moulded in a single piece, is always used in ALA components, alongside matt and gloss black carbon fibre features contrasting with the matt body colour. Matt orange (Arancio Anthaeus) is a new paint job.
The enhanced naturally aspirated Huracan engine is the most powerful V10 produced to date by Lamborghini. Outputting 640bhp at 8000rpm and producing 600Nm of torque at 6500rpm, it is distinguished by a new bronze manifold that draws on the heritage of previous special-edition engines such as the Diablo 30th Anniversary powerplant.
The Huracan Performante’s suspension system has been revised, reflecting the car’s purpose as a track and performance-oriented machine. The suspension has been vertically stiffened by 10 percent over the Huracan coupé, via both springs and bars, and roll stiffness improved by 15 percent. The stiffness of the radial and axial arm bushings has been improved by 50 percent, significantly enhancing lateral control of the car.
The interior of the Huracan Performante reminds the driver of its lightweight and aerodynamic purpose. The air vents, paddles, door handles and the centre console are created from Forged Composite. Referencing its racing heritage, lightweight dark-coloured Alcantara fabric is used throughout, including on the sports seats where an optional “Y” graphic can be lasered. Comfort seats with the same trim are available as an alternative.
Inside, the driver is fully in touch with the active aerodynamics’ activities – not only through the car’s performance, but from the special ALA graphic in the dashboard display which shows when and how ALA is working, including aero vectoring.
Supercar-sharing in Singapore, and one of the choices is a Lamborghini Huracan.