Lamborghini’s newest bull arrives in Manila

AUTOMOBILI Lamborghini S.p.A. marketing & PR Manager Michelle Yow and Lamborghini Manila general sales manager Enrique Jarlego II present the Huracan, successor of the Gallardo.

During a trip to Italy many years ago, my jaw dropped when I saw two policemen emerging from a white Lamborghini Gallardo marked “Polizia” at a gasoline station. So Italian cops carom around in a $250,000 luxury super sports cars when on duty? The lucky stiffs!

And three months after the newest Lamborghini bull, the Huracan LP 610-4, made its world debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in March,

Automobili Lamborghini replaced the Polizia di Stato’s two Gallardo squad cars with two especially-equipped Huracan Polizia interceptors.

Now, the successor of the iconic Gallardo is here. Last week, the Huracan LP 610-4 was launched by Lamborghini Manila at its Bonifacio Global City showroom beside PGA Cars. PGA Cars chair Robert Coyiuto Jr. welcomed the media and other guests.

Unveiling a red unit and a white unit parked indoors a meter or so apart, Sebastian Henry, Southeast Asia head of Automobili Lamborghini, said that the Sant’Agata Bolognese-based manufacturer continues to set new benchmarks in the luxury super sports car industry with its pure and cutting-edge technology.

Henry claimed that “with its pure design, breathtaking dynamics and excellent quality, the Huracan delivers an unparalleled sports car experience.”

More important, at least to most of the people present at the launch, was Henry’s statement that the Huracan “unites mighty performance with a character perfectly suited to everyday

THE FIRST 25 units of the Huracan allocated to Manila are all spoken for already.

use.” Modern super cars need to be as usable in the city as on traffic-free expressways and twisting mountain roads.

“We expect the Huracan to be well-received in this country,” Henry said. That was an understatement since the first 25 units allocated to Manila were all spoken for already.

Small wonder that people who can afford the Huracan’s astronomic price would plunk down the cash without question for a car that is comparable to the Ferrari 458 and McLaren 650S.

The all-wheel-drive Huracan LP 610-4 is powered by a naturally aspirated V10, 5.2-liter engine matched to Lamborghini’s new seven-speed dual clutch automated gearbox. With a combination of direct and indirect fuel injection, the Huracan delivers 610-horsepower slingshots from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 3.2 seconds, and achieves top speeds exceeding 325 kph.

The severe and elegant wedge-shaped angular design of the Huracan immediately identifies it as a Lambo. Lighter but faster than the Gallardo, the Huracan is built on a hybrid chassis made from carbon fiber and aluminum.

THE STEALTH fighter-like cockpit with fully integrated controls

The stealth fighter-like cockpit with fully integrated controls has a virtual 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster and features impeccable craftsmanship with a host of available individualization options such as variable steering and adaptive suspension.

In keeping with the Lamborghini tradition, the Huracan takes its name from the world of bullfighting. Huracan was a fighting bull of the Spanish Conte de la Patilla breed famous in 1879 for an unyielding, invincible character.

At the launch, when the media present asked about the retail price of the Huracan, Lamborghini Manila sales manager Enrico Jarlego tactfully dodged the question by saying that the price would depend on the options added. Aside from Manila, Automobili Lamborghini, which was founded in 1963, has 128 dealerships worldwide.

The Gallardo, which the Huracan replaces, was the most successful Lamborghini model ever. During its 10-year production run from 2004 to 2014, a total of 14,022 units were sold globally except for the two Polizia variants that were given to the state police in 2004 for use in Rome and Bologna, and the two updated LP 560-4 editions given in 2008.

The Aventador LP 700-4 belongs to the niche of V12-powered luxury super sports cars.

ALL-WHEEL drive feature

In 2013, Automobili Lamborghini celebrated its 50th anniversary. The other Lamborghini products during its half-century of history include the Miura, Contach, Diablo, Murcielago and Sesto Elemento.