First look: Lamborghini Huracán Performante Spyder

Body and Aerodynamics

A stiff carbonfibre and aluminium structure means torsional rigidity isn’t too badly affected by the loss of a fixed roof, but the addition of the folding roof mechanism, plus chassis strengthening, means the Lamborghini Huracán Spyder is a hefty 125kg heavier than the Lamborghini Huracán Performante coupe – although it is 30kg lighter than the standard Spyder. Active aerodynamics, including the huge rear wing, are retained, and sculpting of the buttresses behind the cabin aims to reduce wind turbulence.

“Despite the extra mass to haul around, the Spyder is still shatteringly fast, managing 0-100kmph in 3.1seconds”

Engine

There are no real changes here, with the Spyder getting the same naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 and seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox, plus the same titanium valves, dry sump and revised exhaust and inlet manifolds as the hard-top. It develops 631bhp at 8000rpm and 599Nm at 6500rpm. Despite the extra mass to haul around, the Spyder is still shatteringly fast, managing 0-100kmph in 3.1seconds (two tenths behind the coupe) and a top speed of 324kmph.

Chassis

Like the engine and gearbox, the rest of the Spyder’s underpinnings remain largely unchanged. The hood and its mechanism have been designed to not unduly affect the car’s weight distribution and centre of gravity, but expect tweaks to the calibration of the springs and dampers to compensate for the extra mass. There’s the same four-wheel drive system, plus double-wishbone suspension front and rear. Passive dampers are standard, adaptive items an option.

Lamborghini Huracán Performante Spyder : evo comment

While the idea of chopping the roof off your most focused and engaging model might seem like an anathema to people like us, to the typical Lambo customer (and yes, I know we’re dealing with very sweeping generalisations here), being seen driving is almost more important than actually driving – this car is more likely to be spotted crawling along the King’s Road than it is scything along the Stelvio Pass, after all.

That said, the regular Lamborghini Huracán’s conversion from coupe to convertible is impressive, so on the right road the Performante Spyder should have the capacity to thrill, while any opportunity to get closer to that sensational V10 soundtrack should never be sniffed at.