The convertible version of Lamborghini’s Huracan supercar is more provocative, negligibly slower and 120kg heavier.
AFTER nearly 30 hours of travel, I reach Miami in the middle of winter, only to be greeted by balmy 27 deg C weather and humidity not unlike Singapore’s.
Miami Beach has become a playground for the rich and famous, who have taken up most of the beachfront homes, replete with berths for their huge yachts and luxury boats.
It is precisely this sun-loving, laid-back glamorous lifestyle that Lamborghini wants associated with its newly launched Huracan Spyder.
If you thought the Huracan is beautiful, wait till you see the supercar topless!
Form may have followed function in the coupe, but this convertible has been blatantly styled for sex appeal, despite the similar silhouette.
Lest you think the latest Lambo is more soft car porn than hardcore sex on wheels, it’ll zip to 100km/h in a blistering 3.4 seconds and reach a thrilling top speed of 324km/h.
Even more remarkable is the fact that you can reach said velocity with the roof down as well, if your ears can take that sort of beating.
To put the searing performance in perspective, the Huracan coupe is only two-tenths of a second and a mere 1km/h faster in those parameters.
While the race towards the horizon is impressive, the car’s “race to the sky” takes a little longer – 17 seconds to drop the top and transform into an open convertible.
This transformation can be carried out on the move, at speeds below 50km/h, addressing a common complaint levied at the old Gallardo Spyder, which has to be stationary to open/close its soft-top.
The new canopy is made from multiple layers of materials that insulate against weather elements and external noise when it’s deployed.
With the Huracan Spyder’s roof stowed, the full effect of the naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine is heard and felt.
The rumbling/revving of the V10 and the crackling/roaring of its exhaust system are really palpable, while the ensemble of the engine at sky-high revs is astounding. Only the Aventador Roadster is more overwhelming than this.
The 7-speed dual-clutch LDF (Lamborghini Doppia Frizione) gearbox is much better than the previous E-gear system in the Gallardo. At low speeds, the LDF does a good job of mimicking the smoothness of a traditional automatic, while at high speeds and on the attack, it delivers the lightning-quick responses that a supercar demands.
I haven’t waxed lyrical about the Spyder’s handling because Miami doesn’t have any curvy roads to speak of, and the nearest racetrack isn’t available.
I’m reassured by the engineers present that the Spyder has almost the same suspension setup as the coupe, tailored for the convertible’s transitions from understeer to oversteer, with power transferred from back to front in a more seamless fashion.
For me, there are just two issues with the new Huracan Spyder.
One, the rearward vision is poor for drivers below 1.8m in height, because of the raised rear deck and buttresses behind the headrests, although the rear-view camera improves visibility during parking.
And two, the optional carbon fibre bucket seats are rock-hard and too uncomfortable. They aren’t needed in the first place because the standard sports seats, with their multiple electrical adjustments and generous cushions, do a fine job of accommodating all body shapes.
With the roof down and the sunlight streaming in, the colourfully decorated cockpit seems even more eye-popping than the Huracan coupe’s, even though the Spyder shares essentially the same spectacular interior and digital instrument panel.
The Lambo Huracan Spyder hasn’t lost any of its coupe sibling’s incisive dynamics, impressive ride comfort and everyday driveability. It’s simply a stunningly attractive supercar.
“The huracan spyder looks like soft car porn and goes like hardcore sex on wheels”.
