SimplyAbuDhabi XIV

2 5 4 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I character that is refined enough to adapt comfortably to everyday use when required – when talking Lamborghini, of course much of that goes without saying. So it’s time to get up close and personal with the Huracán, starting, naturally enough, with its looks. Seen from the front, it’s clear to see that the car takes some styling cues from its big brother, the Aventador. Those hungry looking trademark air intakes are present and correct, although a little shorter than the Aventador’s and meeting slightly closer to the middle. I can’t help thinking that perhaps Lamborghini have tamed them somewhat to make the Huracán look less ferocious than its big brother. A wise move, as both cars demand their own identity and should never try to steal each other’s thunder. The Huracán also has the advantage of those stunning LED headlamps. They share the same technology as those on the Aventador but instead of having just one Y-shaped headlight on each side, the Huracán has a pair, which combine with those air intakes to create a fabulously aggressive ‘face’. Viewed from the side you immediately notice that this car is shorter than the Aventador, and the lack of that car’s bold sweeping strokes makes for a cleaner, simpler look in my eyes. That more pared-down approach continues to the air intakes behind the doors. They’re substantially smaller than the Aventador’s. Maybe because the Huracán’s V-10 doesn’t take as much cooling but, for me, they also enhance the overall silky-smooth look of the car. Moving towards the back of the Huracán the car really takes on a look that’s all its own and is truly a thing of beauty. Those fabulous rear lights and an intake that stretches across the entire rear end of the vehicle give a spectacularly smooth effect, while four enormous tailpipes provide a fantastic view to all those drivers who will inevitably be left in the car’s wake. Having taken in those views, it’s time to open the door (a door which, incidentally, opens the conventional way, rather than in the upwards scissor motion that has become almost synonymous with Lamborghini) and slip inside. And from the driver’s seat I have to say that the Huracán’s interior is quite simply one of the most special places that I’ve ever visited. The quality of the materials is absolutely impeccable both to look at and to touch, with a subtle mix of brushed and satin surfaces in alcantara and carbon fibre creating a backdrop to the dramatic feel of that seductive starter switch beneath its fighter-jet styled red cover and the sensually tactile steering wheel. Lamborghini are particularly proud of this newwheel, which integrates controls for the new "ANIMA" drive mode, taking care of wipers, indicator controls, and more. They should be too, as this design removes the need for traditional stalks behind the wheel and makes room for the new, larger shift paddles, which fall within easy reach and are a delight to use. There’s also a completely redesigned dashboard, housing the essential A/C vents, while the centre console includes a large 12.3- inch TFT display, covering everything from the tachometer to the infotainment system, alongside all the knobs, switches, and buttons you’ll ever need in just one beautifully designed place. Naturally it’s impossible to talk about a Lamborghini without mentioning what lies beneath its skin and, in the Huracán, that’s nothing less than spectacular. As is usually the case in a Lamborghini, the engine lies beneath the louvered rear window. For the Huracán, that engine is a new, naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 that not only propels the car at quite astonishing speeds, but it also creates a sound that’s music to the ears of every dedicated