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Electrification

Even in the segment where only the super-rich can shop, electrification is the order of the day. That’s not even talking about all-electric models like the Rimac Nevera, but cars from traditional supercar makers, which are also going to be plugged in. Think of the McLaren Artura and Ferrari SF90 as well as 296 GTB, all three plug-in hybrids. Insane cars, which, thanks to electric assistance, leave the stoplight faster than ever. But they can’t make us forget the raw, pure sound of an unblown V10.

Successor Lamborghini Huracán

Fortunately, you can still turn to Lamborghini for a dose of old-fashioned V10 violence. Not that the Italian brand is not moving with the times. The Huracán will get a successor in 2025, which will be partly electric. They have to, if the Italians want to keep selling cars in Europe. But not to worry, the Huracán successor will get a V8, unlike its competitors, the Ferrari 296 GTB and McLaren Artura, both of which go through life with a V6.

Lamborghini Sterrato

Anyway, it’s not that far off yet. Before the brand finally hangs up the V10, it will first introduce two new versions of the Huracán: the Tecnica and the Sterrato. The latter is an off-road study model, which the brand will market in a limited edition in 2023. Then – after ten years of production – it was definitely over for the Huracán. Until then, the brand also builds the Tecnica, which has been on the market since 2022.

EVO – Tecnica – STO

As a result, the Lamborghini Huracán lineup currently looks as follows: the “entry-level” is the Huracán EVO, which is available with all-wheel and rear-wheel drive, with or without a roof. The top model is the Huracán STO, which can be thought of as a street-legal racing version. In between, the brand positions the Tecnica. It is between the two models in terms of comfort, but not in terms of specifications. Indeed, like the STO, the Tecnica boasts 640 hp and 656 Nm. Sufficiently so.

new face

You recognize the Tecnica right away. The designers redesigned the front almost entirely. The front bumper is even sharper and features a special Y-design element, which is a nod to the Lamborghini Sián. There are also a host of new aerodynamic elements, such as a new splitter that sends cool air to the radiators and carbon-ceramic brakes, or simply routes it around the car.

Defensive Artillery

The rear bumper is also trimmed and features an eye-catching diffuser and two fist-thick cooling vents that can fit almost your entire arm. This is where heat can escape from the engine compartment. Thanks to the new bumper work, the Tecnica is 6.1 centimeters longer than a Huracán Evo. Two hexagonal exhaust pipes protrude from the rear like defenses, and a fixed spoiler provides 35 percent more downforce compared to the Evo, but with 20 percent less drag.

Molto grasso

The rear bumper is taken in a bit on the sides, so more rubber from the Bridgestone rear tires is visible from behind. That adds nothing to the car’s aerodynamics, but looks nice and fat, according to the Italians. We’re paraphrasing a bit, but that’s the bottom line. The monstrous Potenza Sport slippers are visible almost throughout. Looking for even more grip, Lamborghini puts Potenza Race tires on the 21-inch rims.

Ordine di accensione

The hood is partially made of carbon fiber and is considerably lower than on an EVO or STO. There, the hood is part of the roofline; on the Technica, the roof stops abruptly behind the driver’s seat, after which the low hood continues. Because of this, the Tecnica has a small rear window, so you can just barely see anything. After all, a titanium tubular frame is in the way. With any luck you can see the spoiler in the rear view mirror you, but you can forget about other traffic. These are things you take for granted with a Lamborghini. On the hood, the brand has pasted a small plaque, which shows an Italian flag and the firing order (ordine di accensione) of the 5.2-liter V10. Small details that make a car lover’s heart beat faster.

Hearing protection

As soon as you start the Huracán, the heart pounding turns into solid banging. The Tecnica comes to life with a loud roar, making us wonder if this is the more civilized Huracán compared to the STO. Once the car starts moving, the sound quickly subsides, as intended. In fact, at low load, the valves of the intake and exhaust system remain closed, so you can simply have a conversation with your passenger. Pretty nice, a Lamborghini that lets you drive quietly from point A to point B, without hearing protection.

Old-fashioned fun

As soon as you press the gas deeper – or switch from Strada driving mode to Sport or Corsa – all the valves open and the ten-cylinder beast comes alive. A raucous Italian symphony is the result. A sound they envy in Formula 1 right now. No turbos, no batteries, no supporting electric motors. Just ten cylinders, filled with gasoline and oxygen. Hopelessly outdated on paper, but still unbeatable in terms of perception.

The V10 engine is in a class of its own. All the way above 6,000 rpm, the goosebumps on your arms turn into pure sandpaper, so intense is the experience when you give the V10 the spur. The Lambo engages more additional musical instruments every 1,000 rpm and then plays a soundtrack right up to the limiter that hits you full in the soul.

Performance

Of course, sound is only part of the experience. Performance is also impressive. The Tecnica sits at 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds. Only 0.2 seconds slower than the STO. The sprint 0 to 200 km/ goes in 9.1 seconds and the top speed is 325 km/h. That’s 10 km/h higher than the STO, thanks to the Tecnica’s modest rear spoiler.

Extremely precise

Weighing 1,339 kilograms, the Tecnica weighs only 40 kilograms more than an STO. Like its circuit-worthy brother, the Tecnica steers extremely precisely. Never does the steering feel too heavy or too light; it’s just right. Rear-wheel steering adjusts when necessary and allows you to go even faster through a corner. The Tecnica’s brakes are as impressive as its acceleration times. The ceramic discs bring the car to a stop in 31.5 meters from 100 km/h in 31.5 meters if necessary.

Daily driver?

But then, is the Tecnica really a Lamborghini you can comfortably use as a daily? That depends on your definition of comfort. If you drive the Tecnica over a euro coin, you can’t tell if it was heads or tails. You can do that with the STO. But really comfortable we cannot call the Tecnica, the suspension is simply too hard for that. Even in Strada mode, the variable shock absorbers, which use magnetic fluid, are too stiff to really provide comfort. It is and always will be a supercar. But for a supercar, it’s easy to live with, and for a long road trip to the Amalfi Coast with the blue Italian, you can wake us up in no time.

Photography: YN – Automotive Photographer