The Lamborghini Huracán EVO represents an evolution and introduces a new “brain”, the Lamborghini Integrated Vehicle Dynamics (LDVI) system.

When you consider that the total production numbers in the lifetime of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. sits at around 50,000 and that a brand like Toyota pumps these numbers out in 3 or so days, you start to understand that Lamborghini has spent the time to be very intentional about everything they do. 

So when they say they have created something that has evolved – they really have.

First introduced in 2013, the Lamborghini Huracán line is the smaller (but no less attention-grabbing) sibling to the Aventador range. With the Italian brand officially retiring the original Huracán and Huracán Performante models from their website this year, the Lamborghini Huracán EVO has now become Lamborghini’s new entry-point vehicle.

Described as the “evolution of the most successful V10-powered Lamborghini ever”, the Huracán EVO is not just the result of learning from the previous Huracán models, but also the Aventador, Lamborghini’s Super Trofeo Racing experience and ultimately Lamborghini’s entire technological and styling history of producing super sports cars.

Having already reviewed the Nürburgring production car record holder, the Huracán Performante, I was very eager with this review to get behind the wheel of the Lamborghini Huracán EVO to see what Lamborghini had forged in its further evolution of the Huracán.

With only a few hours this time to take it through its paces, Anthony De Zen at Lamborghini Brisbane gave a quick introduction, summing it up as, “If you thought the Performante stuck to the road like glue…. You’re going to LOVE this thing”.

He wasn’t wrong.

First, we had to get the EVO out of the congested streets of the city and somewhere it could breathe and stretch its legs, so we headed for the long roads and tight corners of sugar cane country.

Huracán EVO’s Exterior

When you first walk around the EVO, you immediately notice Lamborghini has dramatically redesigned the rear wing and removed the ALA (aerodynamic) wing system that featured on the Performante.

There’s also a new front splitter. Moving away from the angular “shark-like” one of the original Huracán and Huracán Performante, the Huracán EVO features a more honeycomb “Y” shaped looking front bumper.

The rear diffuser is also dramatically redesigned, which, combined with the new front splitter, creates a double airway underneath the super sports car. All this has resulted in the EVO now having 5x more downforce than the previous Huracán, giving it more advantages in accelerating, braking and cornering.

Looking down the side of the EVO, you may also notice the skirt vents have been reshaped and are reminiscent of those on the Lamborghini Murcielago (it’s nice to see some older family DNA still making it through the generations).

The specific Huracán EVO model we were testing featured exterior paintwork in “Bianco Icarus Metallic” (standard color at no extra charge) with exterior details in high gloss black (optional extra) including the front fascia, exhaust pipes, c-pillar air vent frames and backend frame and rear panel.

Another feature of this particular EVO was the transparent engine hood, which comes at an extra cost (roughly around $10K) but, in my opinion, is an absolute must. The engine itself is a work of art, and to cover it up is almost criminal. Not to mention, you’ll likely find your gaze drawn to the interior of the engine bay every time you’re filling up the fuel tank (and be joined by friendly bystanders wanting to do the same).

All-Wheel Steering

But this is still just the beginning of the evolution. For the first time in an entry-level Lambo, All-Wheel Steering has been installed and compliments the EVO’s increased downforce to give it some incredible supercharged handling abilities. While exceptional at high-speed cornering, having all-wheel steering at low speeds also increases the agility and turning circle of the vehicle in every day driving.

New Wheel Design

Also new to the Lamborghini Huracán EVO are 20″ Aesir rims which were graphite grey with orange calipers on the car we were testing. However, if these don’t take your fancy, other options include diamond cut or titanium matt versions, “flower petal” shaped Giano 20″ rims, ten-spoke Navi Forged 20″ rims, or the hexagon-shaped 5 spoke Loge Forged 20″ rims.

The EVO coupe we tested was an All-Wheel Drive version, and typically one would assume that to have fun drifting, a Rear Wheel Drive variant is required. Curiously, this is not the case with the Huracán EVO because of some new tech….

The Super Gene in EVO’s DNA

Lamborghini was still not content with the evolution so far, as all the systems discussed until now only represent the brawn attributes of the EVO. A car’s muscle, agility, strength, and performance are still limited to the brains using them, so Lamborghini built a new super brain for the EVO.

In Italian, it’s called the Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI). In English, we swap the order around and call it the Lamborghini Integrated Vehicle Dynamics. In short, it’s an incredible processor capable of coordinating a complex and sophisticated system and managing driving dynamics.

LDVI works by continually monitoring the vehicle’s all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering, traction, and suspension systems. It also gets orientation data from a series of gyroscopes and accelerometers that sit in the EVO’s center of gravity. Additionally, LDVI is also reading data from the driver via the mode they’ve put the car in, their use of the brake, accelerator, and the steering angle.

LDVI takes all of this information and, in just 20 milliseconds, anticipates the driver’s wishes, shifting from the usual reaction model to one of anticipation. The LDVI “brain” is the fulfilling evolution of the Huracán EVO, wired to pre-empt your next move. For example, if a driver is about to understeer or oversteer into a corner, the LDVI brain makes slight corrections before the predicted event and adjusts accordingly (especially helpful when throwing an EVO around the real-life roads surrounding cane farms that feature corners foreign to engineered racetracks).

Switch the Huracán EVO into sport (fun) mode, and the car will know when you want it to drift. Putting the vehicle into Corsa (track) mode, you are telling it that lap times and accuracy are essential, and under the same scenario, drifting will be prevented. LDVI will allow a driver to feel bulletproof, and when driving a super sports car, this is exactly how you want your driving experience to be.

Inside the EVO

The most significant change from the Huracán Perfomante to the Huracán EVO interior is undoubtedly the large 8.4-inch touchscreen “Human Machine Interface” sitting smack bang in the center console. More easily remembered as the HMI, the new giant touchscreen does away with the previous panel of tactile buttons and knobs and the former small monochrome display of the Performante. This offers both the driver and passenger the ability to see navigational maps easily, make music choices, connect to Apple Play, use telemetry, and view the car’s LDVI outputs in real-time.

The HMI graphics are on point and fit perfectly in with the dashboard and hexagonal theme throughout the car. Once you have spent a few minutes playing with the HMI, you’ll find getting around the menus is a breeze. I also liked the look and functionality of EVO’s navigation maps, and in my opinion, Lamborghini has succeeded where many other automakers fail.

In terms of styling, the cabin featured extensive use of leather and Alcantara, with this particular EVO model spec’d in the “EVO Trim – Sportivo Alcantara” package with the seating in Nero black Alcantara material and contrasting seat/interior panels, seat belts, headrest embroidery and stitching throughout the cabin in a bright orange called Arancio Leonis. For the first time, Lamborghini now also provides a new interior trim option for customers called Carbon Skin®, which is exclusive to Lamborghini.

While previous Lamborghini’s I’ve driven have had firmer sport or racing seats, this Huracán EVO had fully electric-adjustable and heated seats and certainly increased the creature comforts of this particular bull.

Softer and more comfortable for every day driving than the racing seat, the fully electric seat is adjustable in both horizontal and vertical directions and offers both 2-way lumbar support and seat heating.

Granted, this isn’t WHY you buy a Lamborghini, but if you plan on doing any more driving than a quick milk run down to the corner store or a few race laps, it makes a massive difference to the overall everyday functionality.

EVO’s Power

Learning from Lamborghini’s Super Trofeo racing division, Lamborghini had already worked and evolved it’s V10 for the previous record-setting Huracán Performante, generating 471 kW / 631 hp / 640 CV at 8,000 rpm and 601 Nm / 443 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. It was only natural that Lamborghini would pass this on to the Huracán EVO generation as well.

With the incredible bark of the V10 behind you, the sunset before you, and spearing down a 2 km straight road, it’s hard to truly describe the effortlessness with which the Lamborghini’s 7-speed dual-clutch transmission switches between gears, but faster than lightning is a good start.

Capable of accelerating 0-100kmh (0-62 mph) in 2.9 sec with a top speed of 325 km/h (201 mph), and sharing the same engine as its predecessor, it’s no surprise the straight-line performance stats of the Lamborghini Huracán EVO mirror those of the Huracán Performante. But it’s in the corners, where the all-wheel steering, 5x downforce, and LDVI brain are working harmoniously to see the EVO rise above the Performante. Already this has been recognized with the EVO performing faster around some sections of the Nardo test track.

Lamborghini Huracán EVO Fast Facts

• Vehicle type: Two-door/ two-passenger super sports car
• Base price: $US274,390 (in Australia $483,866 + $97,760 for optional extras featured on this particular car + $50,954 on-road costs = AU$626,014)
• Available in AWD Coupe, RWD Coupe, AWD Spyder & RWD Spyder
• Max speed: 325 kmh / 201 mph
• Acceleration: 0-100kmh / 0-62 mph in 2.9 sec
• Acceleration: 0-200kmh / 0-124 mph in 9.0 sec
• Engine: V10, 5.2 litre naturally aspirated engine
• Transmission: 7 speed dual-clutch automatic
• Power: 640CV / 470kW / 631Hp
• Torque: 443 pound-feet at 6500 rpm

Highs

Everything. In summary, this EVO knocked it out of the park on all five criteria: speed, sound, style, handling and comfort.

Lows

I dream of a future where the Huracán has factory-made vertical doors.