The Tecnica is a new off-road-oriented variant of Lamborghini’s Huracan. It offers a taste of the same adventure-ready attitude as the hardcore STO track-killer, but at a more palatable price point.
It’s no secret that the current Huracan will be replaced by an all-new model at the end of 2024. Recently, Lamborghini CEO Stefan Winkelmann told Road & Track that the Huracan replacement will use a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. The brand’s next-generation SUV, the Revuelto, will also be powered by a plug-in hybrid system.
Engine
Lamborghini CEO Stefan Winkelmann recently confirmed that the Huracan’s successor will adopt a plug-in hybrid powertrain when it launches in 2024. Similarly, the company’s Urus SUV will switch to a hybrid setup as well.
Interestingly, this means that the Huracan will be the last series production Lamborghini vehicle to use an internal combustion engine. The Aventador-based LM 610-4 Invencible and Autentica concepts introduced last year will feature electric drivetrains, but they aren’t likely to reach production.
The Huracan replacement is rumored to have a similar powertrain to the LM 610-4, but it won’t be a pure electric vehicle. Instead, the V10 will live on in a symbiotic relationship with electricity. Codenamed L545, the naturally aspirated engine will continue to deliver 814 hp (607 kW / 825 PS) to the rear wheels, but it’ll do so with electric assistance.
The new Huracan’s exterior design will remain largely unchanged, but its interior will have several updates. For starters, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster will replace the analog dials and will be connected to an improved infotainment system. Lamborghini will also offer a telemetry system that can track driving and performance data. Other highlights include a larger panoramic sunroof, a more intuitive climate control system, and new seats with improved support.
Top Speed
In spite of its more road-oriented mission, the Huracan Sterrato retains impressive handling prowess. Its 57 percent weight bias on the rear axle aids turn-in, and its tires are geared for all-terrain use. Get on the throttle too hard, and the front end might get a little floaty from its higher stance, but the car gives plenty of warning before it tucks in. Ease off the gas, and the Huracan’s axial flux electric motors quickly bring it back to earth.
Lamborghini hasn’t announced the replacement for the Huracan, but it’s likely that it will adopt the plug-in hybrid assistance found in the Urus SUV. Winkelmann has also indicated that the Huracan’s successor won’t compensate for a reduction in engine size by compensating with electrification.
Specifically, the Sterrato comes with a new touchscreen with a digital inclinometer, pitch and roll indicator, compass, geographic coordinates indicator, and steering angle indicators. This is stuff you might find in a Land Cruiser rather than a supercar, but it’s part of what makes the Huracan Sterrato so intriguing. It’s designed to put ear-to-ear grins on faces not just in the driver’s seat but all over the vehicle.
Performance
When a Lamborghini rolls off a racetrack and onto the dirt, your brain’s first inclination is to scream “NOOO!” Somewhere in your noggin is a primitive instinct that tells you supercars aren’t supposed to go there. But this one goes where no other Huracan has gone before, converting the angry wedge-shaped car into a wild off-roader.
Lamborghini says its Rally drive mode gives the Sterrato generous slip angles and sand-scrambling wheelspin, turning it into a fearsome, snarling monster with grip and power to spare. Tap the brakes early to transfer weight forward, then hammer down on the throttle for a controlled sideways slide. If you’re feeling brave, you can even let the car drift to the sides when cornering.
The Sterrato has more ground clearance than a regular Huracan and wider tracks for increased off-road abilities. It also has protective elements like aluminum underbody protection and reinforced sills, and it’s the only Lamborghini with a roof-mounted snorkel.
The Sterrato’s interior is largely standard Huracan, though it has unique trim pieces. Lamborghini says the cabin reflects the ‘feel like a pilot’ philosophy of its sportscar lineup, with the driver sitting at the center of the passenger compartment for ultimate control of the vehicle. There’s also a lot of technology in the cabin, including a touchscreen with a digital inclinometer, pitch and roll display, compass, and geographic coordinates.
Design
This fast car is about to be replaced by a new model, and it looks like the Sant’Agata Bolognese manufacturer will continue to offer its hard-core pallet killer in an off-road form. Called the Sterrato, it’ll be the first of its kind and will debut at the Craftsmanship Basel show in Miami booked for December 1-3.
It’s based on the current Huracan Evo and rides 1.7 inches higher up front and 1.3 inches higher in the back. That extra ground clearance enables it to tackle dirt and rocks with ease. Other modifications include more aggressively shaped air intakes that allow for clean air to reach the engine and a set of off-road tires developed with Bridgestone.
The Sterrato will go head-to-head with other exotic cars like the Ferrari F8 Tributo, 296GTB and 812 Superfast, Porsche 911 Safari and DBS and McLaren 720S. Unlike those models, however, it will be the only one in its class with a naturally aspirated V10, offering a big dose of aural uniqueness.
