Lamborghi Temarario different way to past Lambos

FIRST DRIVE Baby supercar is raucous and engaging, but in a very

- Jan Götze

LAMBORGHINI has set about replacing its highest-selling model ever with an all-new car that doesn't only have two fewer cylinders, but also a hybrid system. However, this is Lamborghini, so while it might feel like downsizing has gone too far for the supercar brand, the Temerario has plenty of tricks to make up for the lower cylinder count.

The name comes from a Spanish fighting bull, but also means “brave” or “daring” in Italian. Yet while the Huracán successor is clearly a Lamborghini, there was a huge outcry when it was announced.

This was mainly because it brought an end to the V10 era. Lamborghini said the new Temerario would feature a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, but as more details were revealed, it became clear there was no need to panic. This isn't just the V8 from the Lamborghini Urus, but a totally bespoke unit that is able to rev to a crazy 10,000rpm redline.

It can do this for a couple of reasons, chiefly because it has a flat-plane crankshaft - the same as in Ferrari's V8 engines, plus a couple of top-spec AMGs and Chevrolets - and a hybrid system that keeps the engine pulling strongly at low revs thanks to the instant shove of the three electric motors.