'Twas a Month Before Christmas

Huracán Drops in as Gallardo Goes

By Bill McLauchlan


Well, here’s a nice little bit of seasonal symmetry. Just a month before Christmas, on November 25th to be exact, the last Lamborghini Gallardo rolled off its assembly line in the Bolognese suburb of Sant’ Agata. With 14,022 cars produced over a 10-year life cycle, the Gallardo has been the most successful Lamborghini ever and helped lift the Italian marque to a whole new level on the luxury super sports car scene.

So it seems suitably timely for me to add a late entry to my wish list for special delivery by Santa this holiday season. You see, the automaker has just unwrapped a very special present in the form of the brand-new Huracán, successor to the iconic Gallardo.

This all-new little Lambo, like most of its company stable-mates, derives its name from the world of bullfighting. The fighting bull Huracán of the Spanish Conte de la Patilla breed was known for his outstanding courage and strong sense of attack.

That characteristic is evident in the new car’s shape, with a profile defined by a single line that merges the front with the cabin and the rear of the car. There are traces of family DNA in the head- and tail-light units too, which bring the bigger Aventador to mind. But perhaps the most dynamic visual impact of this low-slung beauty can be seen in its rear-quarter appearance.

Beneath those muscular panels is a new 5.2-litre V10 with 610 hp dispatched to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Good enough for a top speed over 325 km/h and a zero to 100 km/h sprint in 3.2 seconds. Though there’s more power, torque and lower emissions compared with the outgoing Gallardo, the Huracán delivers better fuel economy, thanks to stop-and-
start technology.

The interior is dominated by an innovative cockpit. A 12-inch full-colour instrument panel provides all the information necessary to the driver, from rpm to navigation maps and infotainment features. All configured by the driver in different set-ups. Fine Nappa leather and Alcantara distinguish the trim aspects while the design of the dash area and central tunnel underline a new lightness in the interior. Superb craftsmanship imparts a feeling of the highest quality and sense of luxury throughout.

The Huracán will make its world public debut at the Geneva auto show next March. Delivery to the first customers is planned shortly after. But, if you’re reading this Santa, I’d be happy to find one wrapped in red ribbon come Christmas morning.



While we’re on the topic of the holiday time, I’m taking a break from writing this blog over the next few days. I’ll return on January 6th. My best wishes to all for a happy and memorable holiday season.