Lamborghini’s mind-reader Huracan stays a step ahead of the driver

It’s impossible to explore the limits of a supercar on public roads without losing your licence. But for the priveleged few, the Italian brand has a solution.

Richard Blackburn

3 min read

October 3, 2019 - 4:00PM

Lamborghini claims the latest evolution of its Huracan supercar can read your mind. An on-board “brain” — dubbed the Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI) — allows the key dynamic components to “talk” to each other.

So rather than work in isolation, the engine, brakes, suspension and stability control tech are continually adjusting, according to feedback from each and the driver’s inputs to the steering wheel, brake and accelerator.

At the same time a bunch of sensors at the car’s centre of gravity monitor its attitude, instantaneously adjusting the suspension and stability software to provide maximum control at the limit.

Lamborghini Huracan Evo: Scorching Phillip Island track day at upwards of 250km/h

The aim is to stay one step ahead of the driver and predict what might be asked of it next. The car can also analyse the road or track conditions and adjust to the prevailing grip levels on the surface.

The predictive tech is among a host of changes that make the new Huracan Evo much more than a midlife facelift.

Rear-wheel steering and torque vectoring make it more agile and stable through the corners. Numerous aerodynamic changes are claimed to create seven times the downforce of its predecessor.

There’s a new bumper with a redesigned front splitter, underbody design that allows air to move more freely and the rear spoiler also creates cleaner air flow.

Huracan Evo: Extra grip and stability, making the midlife update more than just a facelift

New 20-inch rims are wrapped in super sticky Pirelli P Zero tyres.

The upgraded 5.2-litre V10 is the same as that developed for the brand’s limited edition Performante. Its outputs increase to 470kW and 600Nm, enough to propel the Evo from
0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 325km/h.

Massive carbon-fibre brakes that barely fit within the front wheels haul the supercar from 100km/h to a standstill in a little more than 30 metres.

Inside, there’s a much more modern look and feel to the cabin, including a new high-definition digital touchscreen fitted low on the dash.

Essential for a brand that needs to be as brash and colourful as its owners, there’s also a new retina-searing shade of orange that goes by the suitably exotic name of Arancio Xanto.

ON THE ROAD

Lamborghini took the brave (some would say foolish) step of choosing the daunting Phillip Island circuit to introduce the Evo to prospective owners and the media.

Its invitingly long straight and plenty of high-speed changes of direction provide ample opportunity to test the Evo’s limits — and get things horribly wrong.

To the limits: Booming V10 and sharp steering invite drivers to push the Huracan Evo harder

So with some trepidation I climb into the tight confines of the Lamborghini’s cockpit for three quick laps of the famed Moto GP circuit.

The cabin is snug and a little claustrophobic with a helmet on — basketballers need not apply. But the dash layout looks and feels like a race car should, there are beautiful styling touches throughout and the bucket seats are supremely comfortable and supportive.

The magic really starts when I fire up the wonderful V10 and give the throttle a blip. Rolling out of the pit lane, I hear the burble bouncing off the pit wall before the pace car takes off into the distance — and the burble transforms into a high-pitched scream as I scramble to keep up.

Huracan cabin: Beautiful styling, snug seats — and race-car look and feel to the dash

It may be old-world and un-PC in these times of smaller turbocharged V8s and silent electric motors but exploring the higher reaches of the Evo’s V10 remains an intoxicating and richly satisfying experience.

I leave the twin-clutch seven-speed in auto for the first lap — while I adjust to the high speeds, the nerves and the adrenaline — and it does a remarkable job of picking the right gear and holding it for the right amount of time.

The steering is sharp and communicative and the car feels predictable, composed and stable at high speeds, encouraging me to push harder at each corner, with just the occasional squirm of the tail under acceleration and heavy braking to keep me focused.

At the end of my three laps I feel I’ve only scratched the surface of the Evo’s abilities and a lap with one of the instructors confirms this. The 250km/h top-speed turned into 275km/h and corners were dispatched at breathtaking speeds.

It’s the complete package — brains, beauty and brawn, all wrapped in bright orange.

LAMBORGHINI HURACAN EVO