LA show: Lambo lobs rear-drive Huracan Spyder

AFTER much speculation, Lamborghini has confirmed a rear-wheel-drive version of its Huracan Spyder, whipping the covers off its latest supercar at this week’s Los Angeles motor show.

The latest addition to the iconic Italian car-maker’s stable will be offered to well-heeled Australian buyers from January next year from $429,000 before on-road costs.

Compared with the $378,900 hard-top RWD Huracan coupe, the Spyder carries a $50,100 premium, but it is also $41,800 less than the all-paw version of the Huracan Spyder.

As with the LP580-2 rear-drive Huracan coupe that arrived earlier this year, the Spyder is powered by a naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine pumping out 426kW at 8000rpm and 540Nm at 6500rpm, driving the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

It can cover 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds – 0.2s slower than the coupe – and 0-200km/h is completed in 10.4s before the Huracan reaches its 319km/h top speed.

The Euro 6 engine features cylinder deactivation technology that shuts off five of the 10 cylinders when full capacity is not required, for an official combined fuel consumption figure of 12.1 litres per 100km – 0.2L/100km more than the coupe – while emitting 283g/km of CO2 emissions.

The two-wheel-drive Huracan Spyder carries a slightly redesigned front and rear that distinguishes it from its all-paw sibling.

It gains different lower air intakes and has unique Pirelli Pzero tyres designed especially for the rear-drive variant, sitting on 19-inch Kari rims.

Lambo says specially contoured steel brakes with aluminium eight-piston front callipers reduce weight and improve cooling without having to resort to the expensive carbon-ceramic versions fitted to the LP610-4. Rear callipers are four-pot.

The lightweight soft-top – the same unit as the all-wheel-drive variant – can be opened and closed in 17 seconds at up to 50km/h and, according to Lamborghini, is stowed to maintain the “perfect centre of gravity and highlight the dynamic design of the open car”.

Stowing the roof reveals a pair of fins that rise out of the folding roof casing, starting at the seat-backs and extending the roof line to the rear of the car. The fins aid airflow through the engine compartment that features a slatted engine cover.

The rear window can be opened electronically with the roof down or up, while an integrated duct helps reduce turbulence when the roof is lowered.

The Spyder also features two removable lateral wind-guards that help lower cabin noise, allowing occupants to converse at high speeds.

The 1509kg (dry) Spyder has a weight to power ratio of 2.6kg/kW and weight distribution is 40 at the front and 60 at the rear.

Anti-roll bars and springs on the double wishbone suspension have been tweaked for the rear-drive version.

Other changes compared with the all-paw model includes a specific electronic power steering setup and recalibrated traction and stability controls.

The Spyder gains the Lamborghini Piattaforma Inerziale (LPI), a sensor system in the centre of gravity of the car that traces all 3D movements and provides real-time information to the optional Magneto Rheological Suspension (MRS), steering and stability control systems.

Lambo says the ESC has been regulated “to adapt to all adherence conditions yet emphasise the rear-wheel drive behaviour in each driving mode”.

Drivers can choose from three drive modes – Strada for everyday driving, Sport and Corsa for track work. All three, according to the company, are tuned to emphasise the rear-drive nature of the car.

Automobili Lamborghini chairman and chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali said the rear-drive Spyder would appeal to drop-top and rear-wheel drive performance car fans.

“The rear-wheel drive Spyder enlarges the Huracan family’s core product range,” he said. “It offers the lifestyle appeal of open-air motoring with the pure thrill of rear-wheel drive engineering. This is a Lamborghini for those with a passion for life and the purest driving experience on the open road.

“It’s also a Huracan for those entering the Lamborghini family, wanting a true Spyder experience without compromising on the performance and dynamic handling of a rear-wheel-drive car.”