2018 Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2

The Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2 is a more driver-focused, rear-wheel drive version of the Huracan LP 610-4. Designed to bring out the fun side of the Huracan, the 580-2 is positioned at the bottom of the Lamborghini supercar lineup.

Overview

With fierce, fighter-jet-inspired lines and a full contingent of gaping air intakes, it's impossible to mistake the Huracan for anything but a Lamborghini. There's more than enough muscle to back up the menacing look, with a 5.2-liter V10 mounted amidships producing 572 horsepower at a screaming 8,000 rpm and 398 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. To put those figures into perspective, the four-wheel drive model's V10 generates 601 ponies and 413 lb-ft. of twist.

Bolted to a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the 10-cylinder sends the 580-2 from zero to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds -- merely 0.2 seconds slower than the 610 -- and on to a top speed of 199 mph.

Less power is only a small part of the story. At 3,062 pounds, the 580-2 is nearly 73 pounds lighter than the 610 it's based on. 60-percent of that mass is on the rear axle, a figure that helps Lamborghini's most affordable bull offer the kind of light, precise handling that driving enthusiasts seek. The 580-2 is more than happy to drift, too.

Balancing out the supercar's accelerative abilities are massive, nearly fade-free brakes and an available magnetorheological adaptive damping system that provides nimble handling in addition to a respectable degree of ride comfort. The dampers, engine parameters, transmission settings, and steering ratio can be adjusted to suit the driver's needs. Three different modes - Strada (street), Sport, and Corsa (race) - can be selected via a steering wheel-mounted knob. Notably, the latter offers launch control for fast, easy drag strip runs.

Life aboard

Inside, the cabin continues the outrageous theme of the exterior with an aggressive, futuristic dashboard highlighted by hexagonal air vents and, in place of traditional analog gauges, a 12.3-inch TFT instrument panel. The latter can be configured with a large central speedometer and other vehicle info, a full-width navigation display, or a combination of both.

A sleek "floating” center stack was designed with user-friendliness in mind while also providing a bit of dramatic theatre in the form of the starter button. It's protected by a bright red cover that, like a cruise missile fire control, must be flipped up to get the action underway. As one would expect, stitched nappa leather adorns much of the interior, and Alcantara inserts can also be spec'd. Inside, the Huracan feels as well built as any luxury car on the market.

Key competitors

Those fortunate enough to be considering the Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2 should also test drive the Porsche 911 Turbo S and the McLaren 570S.