Flush with Audi technology and betting the Urus will double company sales, Lamborghini is willing to radicalize the Huracán beyond a typical supercar refresh.
When an updated Huracán arrives in late 2018 or early 2019, it could adapt rear-wheel steering from the Aventador S and a 48-volt electrical subsystem similar to those in the Audi SQ7 and Bentley Bentayga. As we’ve experienced, Lamborghini’s rear-wheel steering shrinks the Aventador’s impossibly wide, truckish footprint to that of a lighter, smaller sports car, so imagine what it could do for the lighter, smaller Huracán. According to a senior Lamborghini engineer, the issue of cost?even in a Lamborghini?has executives wavering since the Huracán is supposed to be the “entry level” supercar.
As for the higher voltage, next-generation Lamborghini models will employ a 48-volt subsystem that runs concurrently with the primary 12-volt system. Since the Urus will share much of its hardware with Bentley, it’s likely that the 200-mph SUV will feature adaptive anti-roll bars that twist by means of high-powered electric motors. The Huracán may introduce this feature?or others powered by the 48-volt subsystem, such as Audi’s electric rotary dampers?before it is replaced, although the complexity of adding a secondary battery, a belt-alternator starter, and more wiring may not fit so neatly in a mid-engined Lambo.
If the engineers can make it work, don’t expect the Huracán ...