ROAD & TRACK

We put Lamborghini’s hardcore Huracán STO through its paces on some of the most challenging roads we know. But first the racetrack beckons

- JETHRO BOVINGDON

IT’S OPPRESSIVELY HOT IN ITALY. THE SORT of heat that seeps into your eyes, nose and throat and seems to boil you from the inside out. Even so, the magnificence of Rome on a summer’s day is like an ice-cool Bellini for the soul after months of lockdown misery. Nothing could stop me from wandering around this extraordinary city for hour after hour… Well, almost nothing. Today every proud building and monument, every narrow street teeming with life and errant scooters slips by almost unnoticed. Today we head north to the Autodromo di Vallelunga to drive the Huracán STO. Finally, Lamborghini has fully uncorked its baby. No apologies, no excuses and – hallelujah – no front driveshafts. The STO is truly a mouth-watering prospect.

It feels like we’ve been waiting for this car forever. Ever since the Huracán was launched back in 2014 it’s been nearly fantastic. Blessed with a killer V10 engine and shockingly brilliant dual-clutch gearbox, possessed of a stunning, simple shape and with grip, composure and drama to spare. What’s been missing? That last degree of precision, adjustability and balance. In the early days Lamborghini almost celebrated the Huracán’s slightly blunted edges, and as time went on it introduced confusing technology such as Dynamic Steering, which upped the responsiveness but further removed the driver from exactly what the car was doing down at road level.