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Lamborghini’s rear-wheel drive Huracan LP 580-2 is engineered for ‘maximum driving fun’

Andrew Hard
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Lamborghini has just revealed a new Huracan derivative at the 2015 LA Auto Show, and if there’s one thing the brand wants you to know, it’s that this new car is fun.

The phrase “driving fun” appears no less than five times in the manufacturer’s short press release, which gives you real insight into the vehicle’s character. Lighter, cheaper, and more visceral than its all-wheel drive cousins, the rear-wheel drive Huracan LP 580-2 is a shoutout to the hardcore fans, a sports car completely retuned to give drivers a more thrilling time behind the wheel.

“The Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2 continues the Lamborghini tradition of pure, visionary and technology-driven models,” said Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Lamborghini. “The rear-wheel drive model fits perfectly into our Huracan family, appealing to those wanting an even more intense driving experience, or who currently drive other rear-wheel-drive marques and aspire to driving a Lamborghini. This is the purest expression of a Lamborghini to date, with class-leading technological refinements. It is a serious car for serious drivers: It is maximum driving fun.”

Most of the car’s aesthetics are similar, but there have been noticeable variations to the front and rear fascias. The new bumpers feel more exposed and youthful than they do on the all-wheel drive versions, with unmasked aerodynamic components presenting a slightly rougher overall package. Specifically, the new air intakes up front direct cooling air and headwind to increase pressure over the front tires.

Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Under the hood lies the same basic 5.2-liter V10 that powers the LP 610-4 version, yet it’s been retuned to offer maximum power down low. It makes 580 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque here — the AWD model mades 610 horsepower and 413 lb-ft — but the LP 580-2 offers 75 percent of torque at 1,000 rpm for more tail-happy goodness. 0 to 60 mph now comes in 3.4 seconds, and top speed is pegged at 198 mph.

The “Hurricane’s” fan-friendly style applies to much more than the engine tune. The car is 72 pounds lighter than the AWD variant, with more of the weight — 60 percent as opposed to 57 — placed over the rear. Steering has also been retuned to be more responsive and precise, as have the various stability and traction control systems. According to the automaker, the changes emphasize “authentic rear-wheel drive behavior.”

The Huracan LP 580-2 is on sale now for $199,800 before taxes and others charges. For reference, the Huracan LP 610-4 costs $241,945.

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Andrew Hard
Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
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