The Huracán nameplate is an iconic supercar and one of the cornerstones of Lamborghini’s modern catalog. However, as we all know, the V10-powered Huracán has been laid to rest, signaling the end of a line of mid-engine supercars that have been in production for more than a decade. The Temerario that was unveiled earlier this year is the Huracán’s successor and is the second next-generation Lamborghini to join the firm’s ranks.
It was unveiled at the Monterey Car Week event earlier this year and, in comparison to the model that it supersedes, was a completely left-field offering. Aside from a divisive design that split the consensus of the new model into either the “I love it” or “I hate it” camps, arguably the most notable aspect of the Temerario was its engine. Instead of a revision of the Huracán V10 or the utilization of an entirely new V10, the scowling Lamborghini adopted a potent twin-turbocharged V8. Regardless of what anyone says about the adoption of a smaller engine with fewer cylinders, the fact is that the engine in the Temerario is Lamborghini’s most power-dense engine ever, generating 197.25 hp/liter.
Eight Is Better Than Ten
For some perspective, everyone’s favorite screaming bull, the Lamborghini SVJ, with its 6.5-liter V12 only generates 116.7 hp/liter and has less power than the Temerario event without the assistance of its hybrid system. Lamborghini bucked the average car enthusiast’s “bigger is better” dogma and produced what is objectively one of its best engines ever, at least from a pure performance standpoint. Internally, Lamborghini refers to the engine as the L411, which is one of the most powerful engines in its segment.
One of the most prominent aspects of the L411 engine is its two large turbochargers placed in the ‘hot V’ configuration operating at a maximum boost pressure of 36 psi, featuring an electrical wastegate and wheel-speed sensor. Hidden from the world is the flat-plane crankshaft with a 180-degree angle between the crankshaft bends, which is typically used to ensure optimal fluidodynamic characteristics because of its even firing orders. Additionally, the engine also features titanium conrods that are made from the same material as the conrods used in motorsport applications. Lamborghini has employed a unique configuration of the engine’s accessories like the oil and water pumps which sit in a single file on the right-hand side of the engine.
The Temerario’s engine, despite being a twin-turbocharged V8, is capable of revving to 10,000 rpm and, according to Lamborghini, still features the feel of a smooth-revving, naturally aspirated engine. Similar to a naturally aspirated engine, the peak of its power is generated just a few hundred rpm below its relatively sky-high redline. That’s all well and good, but the question is…
How does it compare to the Huracán V10?
We’ll use the Huracán STO as the comparative model given that it was one of the latest models in the bloodline and one of the most hardcore offerings. When quickly glancing at the technical specs of the Huracán V10 and the Temerario V8, here’s how they compare:
|
Models |
Huracán STO |
Temerario |
|---|---|---|
|
Displacement |
5,204 (317.57 cubic inches) |
3,995.2 cm (243.8 cubic inches) |
|
Bore x Stroke |
84.5 mm x 92.8 mm (3.33 inches x 3.65 inches) |
90 mm x 78.5 mm (3.54 inches x 3.09 inches) |
|
Compression Ratio |
12.7:1 |
9.3:1 |
|
Induction system |
Naturally aspirated |
Twin-turbocharged |
|
Max power (ICE) |
631 hp @ 8,000 rpm |
789 hp @ 9,000 rpm – 9,750 rpm |
|
Max Torque (ICE) |
417 lb-ft |
528 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm – 7,000 rpm |
|
Top speed |
192 mph |
213 mph |
The Temerario’s V8 engine is, as you would expect from the beating heart of the Huracán’s successor, better in nearly every regard. It makes sense considering that Lamborghini developed the engine from the ground up to exceed the Huracán range, offering the same progressive power build-up of the preceding V10 with the torque generation of the new generation turbocharged engine. Aside from the switch from a naturally aspirated configuration to a turbocharged setup, the Temerario is also distinguished by another characteristic. The 10,000 rpm redline is the result of the engine’s oversquare design, meaning the bore is larger than the stroke, which typically allows for the ability to spin faster, subsequently allowing for higher engine speeds. If both the Huracán and Tmerario were to go head-to-head in a sprint from a standstill to 62 mph, it would be the Temerario that would win with a time of 2.7 seconds compared to the Huracán’s 3-second sprint.
However, the Temerario is not the only model in Lamborghini’s current lineup to utilize a V8.
The Other V8-Powered Raging Bull
The entire Urus SUV range, in some form or another, has always been powered by a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8. Although similar to the Temerario’s V8, the two utilize completely different engines. For comparison, we’ll use the most power-laden Urus derivative, the Urus SE. The hybrid SE is the only Urus still available, which means Lambo’s entire range is now officially hybrid.
Displacement, turbochargers, number of cylinders, and even compression ratios are similar between the two engines, but that’s more or less where the similarities end. One of the most significant aspects of the Urus SE’s engine design is the square cylinder design, which refers to a cylinder with the same bore and stroke, which in this case is 86 mm. This design typically offers the benefit of allowing for more air intake and exhaust, increased surface area, fewer vibrations, and a relatively longer lifespan. Relying exclusively on the engine’s output, the Urus SE’s V8 is the weaker of the two with an output of 611 hp, meaning it generates 152.7 hp/liter, whereas the Temerario’s V8 produces 789 hp. What’s interesting is that the Urus SE, being the first PHEV model in Lamborghini’s fleet, is only capable of matching the Huracán’s successor in terms of output when relying on its hybrid drive. However, the Temerario also has a hybrid system that affords it a maximum output of more than 900 hp.
Add CarBuzz to your Google News feed.
An Electric Kick
The Temerario features a lithium-ion battery located in the center tunnel accompanied by an eMotor generator positioned between the V8 and the eight-speed transmission. Power from the V8 is distributed to the rear axle, while two oil-cooled axial flow electric motors are positioned on the front axle purposed to fill the gap in torque lower in the rev range and turbocharger lag. The motors are capable of providing 295 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque at any speed. The composition of the hybrid system allows for limited all-electric operation. This is only the second high-performance electric vehicle, and it won’t be the last.
The Future Of The Raging Bull
A few years ago, Lamborghini stated that it would have an entire range that featured varying degrees of electrification, but that by 2024 its entire range would feature hybrid drive systems of some kind. This goal is one of the reasons why the Huracán is no more, along with a few other nameplates. By 2028, Lamborghini intends to debut its first all-electric model, as we’ve seen the proof of concept in the form of the Lanzador. The future of Lamborghini’s products looks promising as the newest generation of its offerings has pushed the firm’s performance standards to new heights.
Sources:
Lamborghini