Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2 2016 review

It's easy to be charmed by this slender green car.

The V10 of Kermit's green Lamborghini howls as we drive into Doohan Corner together at about 200 km/h.

It's a moment of trust and commitment on both sides, and I feel the love as the Huracan wrapped around me fulfills its end of the bargain.

It delivers sharp response - the grip you only get in a mid-engined supersport car - and 427kW of power to punch through the corner and shoot out the other side.

I'm here on Phillip Island for a short time, but this time is quickly turning into a special time. Having driven the track in the past with various Porsches down to a $2 million supercar 918 and even a Nissan GT-R, I know how good the Huracan is.

This car is very, very fast and very, very focused. This is the type of car that can only perform at its best on the race track, rewarding someone with at least $378,000 and a skill level above the average driver.

Even in Lamborghini country, the latest Huracan - let's call it the LP 580-2 - is special.

It has both more and less, which makes driving on the race track even more fun. It was reverted to rear wheel drive, reduced weight by 32 kg and reduced power from 610 horsepower to 580 horsepower, hence the nickname. It may have less power, but it is a sharper tool that offers more challenges and more rewards.

“Driving is more fun,” says Huracan team leader Riccardo Bettini.

That's more power than most people can handle, unless you can drive to the race track every day.

“Technology that brings pleasure is the meaning of this car. You may need to be a little more experienced to reach the level of performance, but you like it better. It's easier to reach the limit in this car."

He compares his two children, the new 580-2 working for The Island, to the 610-4 LP that brought the new name and shape to Australia for $428,000. The rear-wheel drive Huracan is part of an inevitable release of additional models following the convertible and ahead of the Superleggera that will really push the boundaries of what's possible.

Bettini says the 580-2 may be one-fifth slower to 100 km/h than the more powerful all-wheel-drive model and 5 km/h slower than top speed, but for most would-be owners, those are just numbers.

“That's more power than most people can handle, unless you can drive to the race track every day. It's easier for the car to reach the limit."

Lamborghini is on the island for one of their Experienza courses, which introduce owners and special invitees to the talents of their cars. This time it's dealers from Japan, owners from China and a group of Australian journalists.

There are four 580-2 coupes available for hot laps behind 610-4 pace car racers, although there's no way to go into the real world to test the quietness, comfort, or other street stuff. But I already know from big brother Huracan that this is a special car that attracts attention everywhere in the real world.

I choose Kermit green because it is the signature color of Lamborghini.

Today it's all about speed and responsiveness as Chief Instructor Peter Muller - looking more like a drill sergeant than a retired racing driver - takes on the job.

"The car is a little softer, a little safer for people and a little more fun."

Then it's time to choose a car and go to the track. I choose Kermit green because it's Lamborghini's signature color, harking back to the Miura - the original supercar - from the 1970s.

The interior is nicely trimmed in black and green leather, the digital instrument cluster is bold and bright, the seat wraps me around and it feels more like a race car than a road car. Then it's time to drive, and I select the Corsa - track - from three drive modes, flick the stalk to first, and get to work.

The V10 howls to the redline of the 8500. It's quicker than the XNUMXxXNUMX I remember, a little more eccentric but still incredibly punchy.

Most cars on the race track seem slow, but not this Huracan. The numbers on the digital speedometer are flying, and I have to concentrate a lot and plan ahead to get closer to the best.

I always feel the rush of cornering, grip and power to balance cornering performance, and then a punch that will easily get the car to 250 km/h if Muller removes the chicane set for safety at the top of the corner. straight.

The rear-wheel drive Huracan is a special car, extremely fast and very purposeful, but still fun. This is something that will make you think seriously before signing a contract for a Ferrari 488.

I could play Miss Piggy for this Kermit, but we dance a special step together on Phillip Island, and I will remember it for a long time.

What news

Price – The $378,000 price tag is still high, but it conveniently undercuts the all-wheel-drive model. Everything good is preserved, except for the carbon-ceramic brakes.

Technologies “Lamborghini does not plan to follow Ferrari down the road of turbochargers, relying on high power V10 and V12 engines to generate high power. It has multi-mode driving systems and clever stability control settings to unleash performance in safety.

Performance - 3.4-second acceleration to 100 km / h and a top speed of 320 km / h speak for themselves.

Driving The 580-2 is a driver's car in the Huracan range, stripped down and sharpened to reward those who love corners more than straight-line explosions.

Design “Nothing on the road makes such a visual impact as a Lamborghini, and in Kermit Green it looks quite special.

Click here for more pricing and specs for the 2016 Lamborghini Huracan.