Having just completed my first track session in the 2023 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica, I naturally reach for my phone to text my friends and colleagues about it but struggle to scrawl a message.
No, it’s not that I can’t find the words to explain what I just went through, but my hands are shaking so much that I can’t accurately type anything at all. “This new Lambo is incredible,” I finally type, and before I know it I’m back on the track.
My adrenaline peaking, my hands shaking, my senses overloaded, my mouth permanently stuck like in a half-giggle – this is all the aftermath from piloting one of the most fantastic supercars I’ve had the pleasure of testing.
Now eight years old, the Lamborghini Huracán is on the verge of retirement, the nameplate soon to be replaced by something new and electrified. That makes the Tecnica the perfect send-off, and one that ties up a fruitful journey for the automaker – all while setting a benchmark for the future.
The Journey to Tecnica
Early examples of the Lamborghini Huracán featured all-wheel drive, which provided impressive traction and straight-line speed. But eventually, the automaker wanted to show how it could transform its entry-level model. The Performante version arrived with lightweight carbon fibre and impressive aerodynamics. It also managed to tackle the infamous Nürburgring in Germany, and even held a lap record for a brief period.
But the on-track performance and racing-focused tech can seem a bit too niche and nerdy, so Lamborghini offered driver-oriented rear-wheel-drive models that emphasized on-road fun. There isn’t much in this world that’s more engaging than trying to wrangle 600-plus horsepower sent to the rear wheels in any car, let alone a Lamborghini.
The Huracán Tecnica sits in the middle of this performance-to-fun spectrum. It’s comfortable, fun to drive on the road, and exudes a ton of presence without featuring massive spoilers. But it’s also a track toy that can deliver speedy lap times.
The Balancing Act
Like other Huracáns before it, the Tecnica uses a naturally aspirated 5.2L V10 engine. This example makes 631 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque. It’s the same engine as the track-oriented STO, and all that power heads to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The car has a top speed of 325 km/h and can sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, as much a testament to the grippy Bridgestone Potenza Race tires as it is to the car itself.
The engine is a star. It sounds brilliant, and you can hear even more of it through the exhaust, depending on the drive mode. Inside, it’s bassy but doesn’t drone, while those outside the car will enjoy its sweet pitch that’ll have bystanders turning heads with breakneck speed.
The on-track experience also features breakneck speeds. A firm stomp of the pedal on the right is instantly rewarding on the road, but roll onto the throttle after a perfectly executed corner on the track and your technique is met with more G forces. This is the duality of the Tecnica: it’s liveable and expressive on the road, but even more fulfilling on the track.
More than just the powerplant and tires, the Tecnica features a new aerodynamic body that increases downforce and reduces drag compared to the rear-wheel-drive EVO model. The design elements help channel air to cool the car’s brakes. After a whole morning at The Thermal Club in Palm Springs, Calif., the brakes still felt strong and confident. It’s easy to dip too far into the brakes when approaching corners, making for a quick lesson that they only need a breath to do their job effectively.
The chassis handles all of this masterfully. Magnetorheological dampers, rear-wheel steering, and a limited-slip differential all work together to keep the car feeling responsive. It all provides plenty of feedback to the driver, which also helps provide a sense of speed and engagement – feelings that are sometimes lacking in supercars.
A Variety of Drive Modes
If you want a simplified, stress-free experience, the Tecnica manages that easily. The so-called strada mode is made for the road and is less engaging than the rest of the settings. The suspension is softer, and the car is comfortable changing gears for you. It feels relatively subtle in terms of power delivery and exhaust note, too.
Switch it into sport mode, and it all changes significantly. This is the unhinged setting. The exhaust is louder, and the car is more responsive. However, in this mode, the car’s computers allow for moderate shenanigans, letting you kick out the rear end at will. The sport mode showcases the respect such a light and powerful mid-engine supercar demands. It’s fun, engaging, and a handful.
The final setting, corsa, is the one you want for serious track duties. It’s just as responsive as the sport mode but will help you stick to apexes rather than drift away. That’s possible thanks to the clever stability control system that makes the car feel more accurate and easier to place on the track. In this setting, the transmission operates in a manual mode, requiring smart shifting, lest you bog the engine down or bounce off the rev limiter. More than just responsive, the car feels sharp, speedy, and plenty capable.
Final Thoughts
Other supercars feel like they take the reins as their computers and gadgets sort out all of the best settings for traction and power delivery – the driver just has to hang on and enjoy. In contrast, the 2023 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica never feels like it takes over and steals the spotlight on the track. It allows the driver to feel like the star of the show. That much engagement is what left me shaking. It’s a sensory overload that’s satisfying in all the ways a supercar should be.
While some worry that whatever electrified car that replaces the Huracán will be compromised, the automaker has proven its capabilities in designing several variants that can be liveable, engaging, and record-holding. The Tecnica feels like all of that and more, and sets the benchmark for whatever comes next.
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