Lamborghini Temerario: a fearless 907 bhp V8 hybrid to raise the bar?

Dubbed ‘a genuine fuoriclasse’, is Lamborghini’s new high-revving hybrid a car in a league of its own?

After 10 years of exemplary service the Huracán has officially stepped down as the marquee little-bull super sports car, and it’s taken the fan-favourite 5.2-litre V10 with it into retirement. Step up its predecessor: the new Lamborghini Temerario, aiming to fill this void with high-powered hybrid performance, innovative style, and ‘a peerless driving experience’.

Heart of a beast: the powertrain.

In line with the Italian brand’s hybridisation plan — set in motion by the electrified Revuelto and Urus SE — the Temerario may not harbour a beloved V10 in its midriff, but the new twin-turbocharged ‘hot V8’ engine is a satisfyingly ferocious replacement. This 4.0-litre unit, combined with three electric motors, delivers an impressive 907 bhp and a top speed of over 210 mph.

Temerario translates to fearless, and we reckon you’ll need to be in order to floor it. Using its hybrid system to plug the acceleration gaps left by the turbo lag, 0-60 mph flies past in just 2.7 seconds. The sophisticated hybrid system doesn't just enhance performance, it also improves efficiency, allowing the Temerario to boast a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to its Huracán predecessor.

That said, performance is always at the forefront, and the Temerario is the first (and only) production super sports car capable of 10,000 rpm, taking it firmly into motorsport territory. This goes some way to preserving the ‘highly emotive and unmistakably Lamborghini’ engine soundscape through into the new generation. Well, that and the symposer (or tube, for the uninitiated) which directs acoustic waves into the interior for an immersive sound experience.

Taming the beast: tyre technology.

Translating this performance down to the tarmac, Bridgestone have put together three custom-engineered sets of tyres to maximise the Temerario’s capabilities in all conditions. There’s bespoke Bridgestone Potenza Sport rubber to enhance grip and stability during the summer, Blizzak LM005 for traction and stopping power through the winter, and Potenza Race tyres for weaving the Temerario’s broad shouldered frame from apex to apex out on track.

But wait, there’s more. To further adapt to any conditions, the e-4WD system can be cycled through 13 driving modes via the steering wheel’s rotors. There are sport modes, eco modes, launch control, and — a Lamborghini first — drift mode. Great for the truly temerario who are willing to take almost 1000 hp sideways.

A symphony of power and innovation.

Low, sharp lines. Minimised overhangs. A shark-like nose. Angular fins. From the outside, you don’t need to look to very hard to identify that this is a Lamborghini — and minimalism has never really been its thing.

From the sly hexagonal light signatures, to the less subtle door intakes and expansive exhaust of the same shape, these geometric throwbacks to the Lamborghini design language of the 1960s are integrated nicely into the modern aesthetic. These elements are then harmoniously blended into the aerodynamic silhouette, directing airflow for both cooling and downforce, and culminating in a signature Lambo look. Oh, and as a side note, we reckon there must be at least one automotive paint technician at Lamborghini enjoying a brat summer…

Feel like a pilot.

Step inside the Temerario, and you're greeted with a driver-centric cockpit that’s designed around Lamborghini’s ‘feel like a pilot’ philosophy. A new, lower seating position, a slim dashboard, and an angled steering wheel create an immersive driving experience. 

The Temerario features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on the driver side, an 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen in the centre, and an all-new dedicated passenger display strip measuring 9.1-inches on the far side. If this was an airplane, we think you’d be flying first-class, as Lamborghini hasn't compromised on comfort, all the way down to the newly developed 18-way adjustable heated and ventilated seats.

So, are the impressive performance and refined design enough to help you forget the absence of a V10 engine? If so, would you be brave enough to test out the drift mode?

Hero image credit:  Lamborghini