DEVIL WORSHIP

The Lamborghini Temerario (Daredevil) is a powerful and driver-friendly hybrid supercar, but an all-electric version would be welcome and timely

- writes Sean O’Grady

What better way to prepare myself for an interview with the boss of Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann, than a spin in their ‘‘entry level’’ (everything’s relative – it’s a quarter of a million quid) supercar, the Temerario.

The name, by the way, means daredevil, even reckless, which, ironically, is exactly the sort of person who oughtn’t be allowed within un milione di chilometri. That’s because it boasts some 900 horsepower and the twin-turbo motor, plus electric hybrid assistance, produces some 10,000 RPM.

“Hybrid”, I hear you say? “Hybrid?” Like a Prius? Well, yes, hybrid, and yes, if a Prius had a state-of-the-art 4-litre V8 with titanium rods plus three electric motors doing the business. It is as near-silent as a Prius running on electric only, but it can’t get very far in that mode, just enough not to disturb the neighbours or pollute the atmosphere along some chichi boulevard.

As with all hybrids, the modest electrification — you can even plug it in – adds a little boost before the V8 climbs up the rev range, and usefully chips a little off the frankly poor CO2 ratings and makes the fuel consumption marginally better. That said, you’re always going to pay a price for getting from rest to 60mph in 2.7 seconds and shortly after to 213mph.