Used Lamborghini Huracan 2014-2019 review

Junior supercar marks the end of the V10 Lamborghini era – here’s why you should grab a used example

Introduced in 2014 as the successor to the beguiling Lamborghini Gallardo, the mighty Huracán (Spanish for hurricane, appropriately) supercar was – and remains – lauded for the accelerative ferocity and guttural symphony of its naturally aspirated V10.That unit has been replaced by a turbo V8 for the new Temerario, enhancing the old ‘baby’ Lambo’s collectability no end. The time to act, you would have to imagine, is now.The Huracán’s 10-cylinder motor is a masterpiece: Lamborghini reworked the 5.2-litre engine from the Gallardo and first-gen Audi R8, fettling its top end and exhaust system to create a blue-blooded mechanical monster.The boffins at Sant’Agata dialled the Huracán up to 11 in a bid to fend off rivals like the McLaren 650S and Ferrari 488, squeezing out 602bhp for 0-62mph in 3.2sec and a top speed in excess of 200mph.Awakening the Huracán is an event in itself: climb inside and settle into the imposing race-style bucket seat, uncover the F16-style starter button and fire the 10-pot into life with an almighty burst of revs.Raw and unfettered, the Huracán’s exhaust note is an assault on the senses that rises in pitch and aggression as you climb towards an 8250rpm redline.On song, it does an uncanny impression of a mid-2000s Formula 1 car.Among the vast array of mechanical changes over the Gallardo, the biggest improvement was the gearbox.Lamborghini introduced a snappy new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic to replace the languid six-speed automated manual.Meanwhile, electromechanical steering, carbon-ceramic brakes, magnetorheological electric dampers and four-wheel drive ensured that the Huracán rode, steered and handled with the very best of them.That said, we did have some qualms about the amount of understeer the Huracán generated, and its electronics intruded more than we would have ideally liked.If you’re after more tail-out playfulness, the rear-driven LP580-2 is the Huracán of choice. Though it was down 30bhp, the removal of the front driveshafts made it lighter, more adjustable and, crucially, more fun.While the 580 unlocked the Huracán’s playful side, we felt there was still more theatre to be uncorked from its chassis and drivetrain.Step forward the bewinged Huracán Performante, a 1382kg, 630bhp missile that had reconfigured magnetic dampers, a stiffer chassis and an active aero system that reduced drag or boosted downforce at the push of a button.In short, if you want the ultimate version of the Huracán, the Performante is it – and you’ll pay typically about £170,000, not too far off its £215,000 launch price.Overall, the cabin was more refined than the Gallardo’s, trimmed as it was in racy carbonfibre and Alcantara.With ultra-supportive bucket seats and large aluminium shift paddles, it was pure Lamborghini exuberance – as was the extensive list of eye-catching colours that could be added outside, although we would be wary of matt paints (see Buyer Beware, right). The highly effective 12.3in digital TFT screen was excellent too.The Huracán is an evocative supercar that still feels almost impossibly fresh and exciting today, and considering you can have one for a fraction under £110,000, it’s one of the best value-for-money Lamborghinis you can buy.Plus, you can no longer buy a new V10-engined car of any kind, which is good news for residuals. Less so for our eardrums.

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