Lamborghini Huracán Spyder review
Lamborghini Huracán Spyder review

Lamborghini Huracán Spyder: A Rear-Wheel Rocket

08 Feb 2018 | Updated on: 27 Sep 2022 |By Jeremy Taylor

Sometimes less is more. That’s the case with Lamborghini’s latest Spyder. The rear-wheel drive version of the Huracán may lack the remarkable grip of its pricier sibling but ultimately it’s a lot more entertaining beast. The

Launch both models down a racetrack, however, and it won’t take long to tell them apart. Admittedly, the RWD model is 30bhp down on the all-wheel drive Spyder but then it’s also lighter – and much more entertaining.If ever a car was built to skid, this is it. The LP 580-2 is a purist’s dream, partly because the weight distribution has been shifted slightly towards the rear. The suspension is more supple and the steering recalibrated. Altogether that equals a lot of fun.

No matter which Huracán Spyder you opt for, the crazy, angular styling and roar from that V10 engine make the raging bull a real crowd-puller. Don’t expect to go anywhere without being jeered, cheered or videoed on a smartphone – this is not a car for shrinking violets.

Yes, Lamborghini is part of the Volkswagen Group and yes, the Huracán is very closely related to the Audi R8. But I drove both cars back-to-back and the response couldn’t have been more different. The Huracán is the big, brash brother who gatecrashes every party and steals the leading lady.

On a day-to-day basis, you could argue that the Lambo is as practical as any supercar. Usually, that means not very practical at all, but there’s room to squeeze two weekend bags under the bonnet. With the roof down you can still hold a conversation with your excited passenger.

That’s partly due to a pair of ‘ears’ on each side of the headrest that keep the wind out of the cabin. The top itself disappears in 17 seconds and you complete the whole operation at speeds of up to 31mph. Inside, the RWD Spyder has the same bonkers dashboard as every other model. A panel of buttons on the centre display is straightforward enough, although like the R8, the Huracán swaps the central infotainment screen for a virtual dashboard.

Just starting a Huracán is a performance, thanks to a red, fighter jet-style button cover. Reverse is a pop-up, bridge lever and there are three driver modes to ponder on the steering wheel. Opt for ‘Strada’ for general everyday use – send the exhaust pipes popping in ‘Sport’.

Everything makes perfect sense, apart from the indicator switch and windscreen buttons on the face of the steering wheel. Impossible to find in the daytime, at night scrabbling around for either is downright dangerous.Otherwise the glovebox really was designed for a pair of gloves and not much else. There isn’t a cubbyhole or door bin big enough to take a small bottle of water. In fact, it’s a bit of an issue just trying to find somewhere to put the key.

All these design issues pale into insignificance after an hour or two behind the flat-bottomed steering wheel. It’s insanely good fun, especially when compared to a Ferrari 488 GTB. There’s something of the maverick about the Lamborghini. It’s radically different, slightly unpredictable and totally unmistakable for anything else. As guilty driving pleasures go, the Huracán Spyder is just a bit naughtier than most.

  • Price: From £178,000
  • Engine: 5.2-litre V10, 580bhp
  • -60mph: 3.6 seconds
  • Max speed: 199mph
  • Economy: 23.7mpg (combined)

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