2016 Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2: Not for the Faint of Heart

I’ve driven a few Lambos over the years, but never one that could have just as easily killed me. This, I swear to you, is a very good thing, not my death mind you, but the fact that the LP 580-2 is a true supercar.

I’ve lamented the disappearance of the true balls-to-the-wall sports car for many years and after having driven Ferrari, Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 Turbo and GT3, R and RS Jags, Audi R8 and Lamborghinis and they nearly all share a common trait: They’re great cars in their own right, but my 5-foot tall, 65-year-old mother could drive them.

• Also: Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2: Less Traction, More Fun
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I then take this moment to thank the madmen in Sant'Agata for creating a car that is not designed with the poseur in mind, but a driver, a person that is interested in taking most matters into their own hands and sorting things out.

Vicious and violent

One way to measure a car’s worthiness is through specs. The Huracán LP 580-2 has all the necessary numbers to qualify it as nothing short of a supercar. Its 5.2L V10 produces 580 horsepower and 397 lb.-ft. of torque. It’ll reach the tonne in 3.4 seconds, 200 km/h in 10.1 seconds and tops out at 320 km/h. There, I rest my case.

Ah, but the TRUE measure of such a car, the one that has been overlooked in recent years because of the lack of interest in actual driving from those that can afford these, is alive and well in this Huracán. This car will kick you.

An Audi R8 V10 is just as quick in the 0-100-km/h sprint, but there’s no drama – the car simply surges forward. The LP 580-2 batters the large rear tires, tortures the rear differential all the while the ESP system struggles to keep the car headed in the desired direction. This event is the equivalent of an automotive earthquake. And it’s phenomenal.

The Huracán drive mode selector is the car’s personality switch. From start-up, the Lambo opts for Strada or street mode and if the transmission is left in automatic, the driving experience can almost be relaxed. However, this car in NOT meant to cruise busy downtown streets to show off. Get an Aventador if that’s your bag.

Flicking the toggle to Sport liven things up. This is in fact the ideal “fun” mode where the car truly comes to life and when man and machine become one.

RWD, as it should be

The 2016 Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2 feels very different from the LP 610-4 I reviewed last year. The main difference lies in the car’s grip and handling. The 2WD 580 weighs 73 lbs. less than the 610 and its suspension has been recalibrated for more, well, fun. The Pirellis and the softer front aluminum double-wishbone suspension transforms the front end.

The LP 610 was solidly planted to the tarmac whereas the LP 580 seems to be pulled towards the road. The difference is felt immediately when pushing the car. The front digs hard as the car rotates steadily through an apex. In Sport mode, steering becomes intuitive, the throttle psychic while the suspension bears down for unrelenting grip.

As speeds increase, the Huracán settles in nicely, as though waiting for more. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take the car to the track and one can only explore so much on regular country roads. This explains why I toggled to Corsa only once to find that steering transformed itself into a chore with a large gap in assistance on-center. I’m certain that tracking the car would have immediately settled any concerns I may have had.

The part of this car that has one of the toughest jobs is the Lamborghini Doppia Frizione (LDP) E-Gear seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. It is uncannily gifted with swapping gears in less than a blink of an eye, and works supremely hard to get every last horsepower to the busy rear wheels.

If you’re not in the mood to Bull-y your way on the road, Strada and automatic actually make the car liveable. Said ‘box will actually upshift all the way to 7th at speeds as low as 55 km/h to keep things chill. It truly is a tour de force.

On the topic of force, we’ve established that when prodded, the Lamborghini goes like hell. The noise generated from the V10 warps your neurons and your sense of smell. And this is upon start-up. The rate at which forward momentum increases surprises every time.

The secret comes from the V10’s torque of which 75% is on tap as of only 1000 rpm. Engine speed builds, the V10 hits its second stride just before 6500 rpm when max torque shows up. By now, you’re cleared for take-off. Come 8000 rpm, you reach maximum horsepower and orbit. The Lamborghini may not have air brakes, but the optional carbon ceramic brakes can bring a train to a full stop.

This is an epic experience that will get your adrenaline flowing.

The Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2 seats two adults, carries a little gear and looks supercar fantastic. It features a number of quirky toggle switches and I love them. The remainder of the cabin is well tailored and forward visibility is actually excellent.

Lamborghinis are for those that want to be seen. This Huracán is for those that want to drive their cars. At $220k, a base LP 580-2 is certainly not for everyone as it is one of the most hardcore driver’s tools available.