Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2: Range expands with two-wheel-drive variant

The substantially re-engineered rear-wheel drive LP580-2 is set to arrive early next year

The new model was unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show

Lamborghini has revealed a new rear-wheel-drive Huracan at the Los Angeles Motor Show.

The substantially re-engineered LP580-2 is set to arrive early next year, boasting a more modest, 571bhp version of the all-wheel-drive LP 610-4’s 602bhp 5.2 litre V10. Thanks to a lighter, 1389kg dry weight, however – down 33kg on its sibling’s – this still means a 3.4-second 0-62mph speed and 199mph top speed. Three-quarters of the slightly reduced 384lb ft torque is available from only 1000rpm, too.

Subtle visual changes all round include redesigned front air intakes to improve downward pressure on the forward axle, and fresh 19in Kari wheels shod in bespoke Pirelli P Zero tyres.

The car has a projected UK price of around €150,000

With 40:60 front-to-rear weight distribution and three selectable driving modes – Strada, Sport and Corsa – the car is said to have been tuned to provide oversteering characteristics, in contrast to the LP 610-4’s ultra-stable handling.

There is no manual box, unlike in previous rear-drive Lamborghinis, such as the six-speed manual Gallardo LP550-2. With the standard-fit seven-speed dual-clutch auto, the model will be the brand’s cleanest car with 23.7mpg and 278g/km of CO2 emissions. The more powerful AWD model gives out 290g/km.

Future variants should include a Spider, and more extreme versions of the car

A projected, if as yet unofficially confirmed, UK price equating to a quoted €150,000 compares against the LP 610-4’s £180,000, and is up to £10,000 cheaper than Ferrari’s 488 GTB. Boss Stephan Winkelmann describes the LP580-2 as: “The purest expression of a Lamborghini to date, and a serious car for serious drivers.” The marque believes it’ll enable the Huracan to compete more effectively in the ‘sub-$200,000’ supercar class, a category which accounts for almost three-quarters of the market.

Future variants should include a Spider, and more extreme versions of the car. But according to Winkelmann, no cheaper, manual transmission: “There are technical reasons why we cannot do one… but there is also no feedback from customers really wanting this either. There will not be a manual Huracan.”

There is no manual box, unlike in previous rear-drive Lamborghinis

He also explains: “Our research says that in this area of the market there will be 55% rear-drive sales between 2015 and 2020. So there are clearly some buyers – younger customers, I think, but also more experienced enthusiast drivers – who want rear-drive.”

Expansion at the top end of the Huracan range also sounds likely, with a future SV version possibly matching the more powerful V10 to the rear-drive chassis. If the sell-out success of the Aventador SV in both open and closed forms is anything to go by, this could be a big success.