2015 Lamborghini Huracan Video Review

Colum Wood
by Colum Wood

It’s been just over a year since I first drove the Lamborghini Huracan on twisty Spanish roads and flat out on the Ascari race circuit.

Yes it’s awesomely powerful, but one of the things that impressed me most was just how much more livable it had become over its predecessor. But would you really want to drive it every day?

What better way to put that theory to the test than by tackling the Huracan’s greatest challenge . . . my daily commute.

Raging on the Road

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

FAST FACTS

Engine: 5.2 L V10, 602 hp, 412 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: 7-speed DCT
Fuel Economy: 14 MPG City, 20 MPG Highway
Price: $237,250

I spend a lot of my day stuck in traffic. Only I don’t normally look as rich, handsome and fun as I do when I’m driving a Lambo.

Unfortunately driving such a machine does have its drawbacks.

As a professional vehicle reviewer I can tell you the Huracan is much worse than a Honda Accord; or at least that’s true when it comes to sight lines.

While visibility is less than ideal, the plus side is that no one can really see you, It’s like a built-in privacy wall. And that’s nice, because I don’t have to look over to know that every other driver around me is already staring.

It also has far fewer cup holders than an Accord. And by fewer, I mean none.

Playing with Buttons

Sitting in traffic provides a LOT of time to fiddle with buttons, some of which do take some getting used to.

If you’ve ever driven a modern Audi, however, many of these controls will be familiar.

The gauges are easy to read, although something that’s really taken time master are the signals. There are no turn signal stocks. Instead they’re tiny little buttons on the steering wheel – not unlike turn signals on a motorcycle.

The same format goes for the wiper controls.

While a small annoyance, at least there’s a solid reason behind it. With banana-sized paddle shifters, there’s just no room left.

And while on the topic of the interior, I should point out that the seats are a bit of a paradox. They’re not particularly comfy, feeling like a soft coating of Alcantara over a hard plastic frame. And yet, after several hours of driving they’re in no way uncomfortable; a pleasant surprise.

Then there’s the color. This cabin is absolutely ridiculous. However, if you are going buy a Lamborghini, well, this is exactly what you probably want. No one would believe this car has anything in common with an R8.

Dual-Clutch Smoothness

Crawling along in traffic there’s no jerking back and forth like in supercars of recent history. Credit goes to the new dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission. You can shift it yourself with the paddles or just let the car’s more advanced intellect do it for you.

The Anima switch in the middle of the steering wheel, (which, by the way, is a pretty inconvenient place to put it), controls the car’s steering, throttle, gear changes and suspension. A Corsa mode is designed for track use, but for commuting it’s best left in Strada.

That’s the most relaxed driving mode. The exhaust is nearly silent and the gearchanges almost imperceptible. You can even just let you foot up a little and it will creep along in traffic like a Buick – an Italian made, V10-powered, exotic Buick.

SEE ALSO: Lamborghini Huracan First Drive

The suspension is actually comfy and the car wants to be in the highest gear possible for a smooth and reasonably fuel efficient drive.

I say reasonably because at best the car will get 16 mpg combined, though that’s really not going to happen, especially if you switch over to Sport mode, which under light throttle holds each gear until about 4k rpm.

Driving around with the engine revving away is a bit of a douchebag thing to do, but so is not driving a Lamborghini and judging others. So please, don’t judge me.

What about parking, gas and maintenance?

But enough revving and you’re certain to run out of 94 octane rather fast. Thankfully the Huracan has a nice reminder that doesn’t just tell you that you’re getting low, but actually asks you if you’d like directions to the nearest gas station.

Just be careful which route you choose, as there’s no telling what the roads are like and it’s probably best to stay on smoother pavement – and avoid construction zones, which are everywhere near my house, forcing me to take the long way.

When you do stop to fill up, getting into the gas station, or any other parking lot, is now less stressful due to an airlift system on the front axle that can add a few inches of ground clearance. And I’m pleased to report that unlike the Murcielago I drove eight years ago this one stays in the up position even after you turn it off so idiots like me can keep their fancy pearlescent metallic orange paint on the car, and not the asfalt.

Regardless of the added height, I’m confident this car wouldn’t make it into my office’s underground garage unscathed. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m certainly not going to try.

As for filling up, it might not bankrupt you but you’ve probably heard stories about how much Italian exotics like this cost to maintain. But honestly, if you can afford the $240,000 asking price, if an oil change is going to bankrupt you, maybe it’s best to stick with your Corvette.

Lamborghini Huracan Video Review: The Verdict

Let’s recap shall we.

If you own a Lamborghini Huracan you’ll start every morning by waking up all of your neighbors, ensuring that they’re not only jealous but now also sleep deprived.

You’ll have to take the long way everywhere, because short cuts might get the car dirty or scratch the paint.

And when you do get to the office you won’t be able to get it into the parking garage.

And it’s not even 9 a.m.

But in between you’ll look like a badass and maybe, just maybe, traffic won’t be so bad today.

Discuss this story at our Lamborghini Forum

LOVE IT

  • Style
  • Overall refinement
  • Um, it's a freakin' Lambo!

LEAVE IT

  • Poor sightlines
  • Turn signal buttons
  • Constant anxiety about damaging it
Colum Wood
Colum Wood

With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.

More by Colum Wood

Comments
Join the conversation
 4 comments
  • ChiCarGuy ChiCarGuy on Jun 19, 2015

    Great story, Colum! Lots of highlghts, but my favorite part was "And by fewer, I mean none." I think I could tolerate one of these as a daily.

    • AutoGuide.com News Staff AutoGuide.com News Staff on Jun 19, 2015

      Thanks! I was honestly surprised by this. I guess that shows what a jaded journalist is I am. But seriously think about the frappuccino-drinking Los Angelenos. I bet they want cupholders in their Lambo. I remember the original Viper didn't have cupholders. Now it does.

  • Ryan Schwartz Ryan Schwartz on Jun 21, 2015

    @columwood:disqus Do you honestly believe this car can be driver as a daily driver? I am highly considering buying this car as my DD.

    • AutoGuide.com News Staff AutoGuide.com News Staff on Jun 22, 2015

      It's much more daily drivable, but do I think it's an actual daily driver? Not yet. It's smooth and comfortable enough, but the real issues are that you're always worried about scraping that bumper and it is a bit hard to see out of. Honestly, maybe you'd get used to it, but as this wasn't my car, I was terrified to scrape the bumper, so it made driving around town an anxious event.

Next