Lamborghini Huracán STO: A Final Celebration

Lamborghini Huracán: A Farewell to the Combustion Engine

The Lamborghini Huracán represents the marque’s most commercially successful sports car model. However, its tenure as a purely combustion-powered vehicle is drawing to a close.

Since its introduction in 2014, Lamborghini reports global sales exceeding 17,500 units. Despite this success, the V10 engine’s future is uncertain, regardless of continued customer demand.

Introducing the Huracán STO

The newest addition to Lamborghini’s lineup is the Huracán STO, short for Super Trofeo Omologata. This super sports car provides both a preview of Lamborghini’s future direction and a tribute to the outgoing internal combustion engine.

During a press event at Willow Springs Raceway, Andrea Baldi, Lamborghini’s North American CEO, explained to TechCrunch that the Huracán STO is, fundamentally, a celebration of the combustion engine.

The STO, a street-legal vehicle designed with racetrack performance in mind, carries a starting price of $327,838, excluding taxes and delivery charges.

Image Credits: Lamborghini

The Essence of Lamborghini

Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini’s Chief Technology Officer, emphasized the engine’s significance, stating it’s more than just a power source; it’s an integral part of the brand’s identity and a source of auditory pleasure.

This core identity is inextricably linked to captivating design, substantial power, and what executives describe as “emotion.” This abstract concept encapsulates the feeling of exclusivity and enjoyment that attracts Lamborghini’s clientele.

On the Track with the Huracán STO

Although not a professional racing driver, even limited laps on the challenging Big Willow track demonstrated Lamborghini’s achievement in creating something truly exceptional with one of its final combustion-engined vehicles.

Further evaluation of the Huracán STO’s capabilities on public roads is anticipated.

A Performance Vehicle for Both Track and Street

The latest Huracán STO incorporates insights gained from Lamborghini’s triumphs in single-make racing competitions – specifically the Super Trofeo EVO and GT3 EVO series held globally. These learnings are integrated with elements of everyday usability and road compliance.

Essentially, the Huracán STO is a street-legal racing car developed through a reverse-homologation process. It features cutting-edge aerodynamics, lightweight materials, and a sophisticated braking system, alongside telemetry designed to enhance driver performance on the circuit.

Despite its track focus, the STO remains a vehicle suitable for daily driving, offering owners the ability to enjoy both exhilarating performance and practical convenience.

Power and Performance Characteristics

At the heart of the Huracán STO lies a substantial 5.2-liter V10 engine, generating 631 horsepower. This engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, enabling rapid acceleration – reaching 140 mph on a straightaway is achieved with remarkable swiftness.

The vehicle’s top speed is rated at 193 mph, yet the STO maintains composure even at high velocities. Even when the ANIMA (Adaptive Network Intelligence Management) system is set to its most comfortable ‘STO’ mode for street use, the rear-wheel drive configuration delivers impressive responsiveness.

In this mode, the Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI) system manages the suspension and vehicle dynamics, providing a balance between agility and driver comfort.

Driving Modes and Handling

For drivers seeking a more dynamic experience, switching to Trofeo mode via the ANIMA button alters the torque vectoring – controlled by the LDVI – allowing for increased rear-end agility during cornering.

Pioggia mode is specifically calibrated for wet conditions, though such conditions were absent during testing near Rosemead, California, at Willow Springs Raceway.

The Huracán STO exhibits a remarkably approachable character on the racetrack, even when navigating challenging turns like those found at Big Willow. This is largely attributable to the vehicle’s advanced aerodynamic features.

Aerodynamic Enhancements

Notable aerodynamic elements include a prominent shark fin and a large, manually adjustable rear wing. The wing’s angle can be adjusted to three positions – High, Medium, and Low.

These adjustments influence the vehicle’s center of gravity by up to 13% and can increase downforce by over 200 pounds, significantly impacting handling and stability.

• Adjustable wing positions allow for tailored aerodynamic performance.
• The shark fin contributes to overall stability at high speeds.
• LDVI system optimizes torque vectoring for different driving scenarios.

Advanced Materials and Braking Systems

Lamborghini has integrated lightweight carbon fiber extensively, serving to both enhance structural rigidity and reduce overall mass. Over 75% of the Huracán STO’s bodywork consists of carbon fiber, encompassing the distinctive Miura-inspired “cofango” – a portmanteau of the Italian terms for hood and fender – located at the vehicle’s front end.

Beneath this front section is a compact storage compartment, sized appropriately for either a racing helmet or personal belongings, contingent upon the driver’s intentions.

The STO achieves a weight reduction of almost 100 pounds compared to the Performante model it builds upon, a result of the increased carbon fiber utilization and the implementation of lighter interior components.

Braking Performance

Equally crucial as achieving high speeds on a racetrack is the capacity to decelerate rapidly and consistently, maintaining firm brake pedal feel. The STO features the inaugural application of F1-inspired, Brembo carbon-ceramic resin matrix (CCM-R) brakes in a consumer vehicle.

This innovative technology mitigates brake fade during extended track sessions by effectively managing brake temperatures.

Supplemental vents integrated into the fenders channel airflow past the brake calipers and rotors, further preventing overheating. Drivers are provided with real-time brake temperature monitoring via the instrument panel.

Furthermore, Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI) assists in tracking potential brake fade.

Carbon fiber construction is central to the STO’s performance characteristics, while the advanced Brembo CCM-R brakes ensure exceptional stopping power and consistency.

Analyzing Performance with Lamborghini's Telemetry System

Lamborghini provides a connected telemetry system for drivers seeking quantifiable gains in their lap times. This system, functioning similarly to a professional VBOX utilized by racing drivers, allows owners to record and evaluate their performance on the track.

The system meticulously examines various parameters, including brake and throttle application, as well as steering angles, to assist drivers in improving their speed around a chosen circuit. Collected data and video footage are then uploaded to Lamborghini’s exclusive online platform, accessible via the UNICA app on smartphones.

Owners have the option to share their lap times with fellow Lamborghini enthusiasts, friends, or even their driving instructors.

A Confidence-Inspiring Track Experience

While I didn't fully explore the boundaries of the braking system or the specialized Bridgestone Potenza track tires equipped on the test vehicle, the Huracán STO proved to be remarkably confidence-inspiring and communicative. It stands out as one of the most approachable track cars I’ve driven.

The steering response is exceptionally direct and linear. Unlike some other Lamborghini models, both on and off the track, the STO maintains composure and stability even when approaching the limits of its performance envelope.

At higher velocities, the car feels remarkably controlled and refined – qualities not typically associated with a track-focused Lamborghini.

Production and Future Plans for the Huracán STO

For prospective buyers, production of the Huracán STO is currently constrained only by the manufacturing capacity of the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory. According to Baldi, approximately 2,500 units can be produced annually, and the STO is currently sold out through the next year.

“Production is limited solely by our manufacturing capabilities,” Baldi stated. “By 2024, we will be introducing hybrid technology to the Huracán lineup, and the current internal combustion engine versions will be phased out.”

Impressive Acceleration and Overall Capability

Lamborghini claims a 0-60 mph acceleration time of under 3 seconds for the STO. Following professional race driver Richard Antinucci for a limited number of laps, it became evident that the STO delivers a truly exceptional experience for those who possess the financial means and skill to fully exploit its capabilities.