Federico Foschini is an exceptional salesman. When I inquired with Lamborghini's Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at The Quail in Monterey about whether enthusiasts would miss the Huracan's V-10, he responded: "It's not V-10 to V-8, it's 10 to 10,000." He was referring to the Temerario V-8's 10,000 rpm redline. Despite the new engine having two fewer cylinders than the Huracan's celebrated V-10, the company is optimistic that fans will embrace it just as passionately. Foschini is particularly enthusiastic about it.
One of the Temerario's standout features is its unique engine; you won't find its twin-turbo V-8 in any Audi. Lamborghini designed it from scratch specifically for the Temerario, a decision made from the outset. "There is no other engine with these characteristics," Foschini explained. "We didn't opt for a standard four-liter bi-turbo V-8; we chose something unexpected... We could have used an existing V-8 from our portfolio, and it might have performed adequately. But starting from scratch was essential from the beginning."
Every aspect of this V-8 is distinctive. It features a 90-degree "Hot Vee" layout, a flat-plane crankshaft, and two turbochargers producing a maximum pressure of 36 psi. Aluminum-alloy cylinder heads and titanium connecting rods contribute to its lightweight design, while Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coated finger followers enhance the valvetrain's reliability. This results in 197 horsepower per liter, totaling 789 horsepower before hybrid assistance is factored in. With a combined 920 horsepower, the Temerario enters hypercar territory, comparable to the Revuelto, a V-12 hybrid hypercar with 1,001 horsepower. However, Foschini isn't concerned about the Temerario cannibalizing Revuelto sales; many customers might opt for both.
"Ultimately, there's almost a 100-horsepower difference. We offer different acceleration, top speeds, and the cars cater to different needs," Foschini noted. "One is the iconic Lamborghini... the other is more fun to drive and versatile. They address different needs, and it's clear that many customers will buy both... They are distinct cars... This is the strength of our portfolio today, with two highly differentiated products at the top of the range."
Alongside the Revuelto, Lamborghini's lineup is now fully electrified. The Revuelto combines a V-12 with electric motors, and the Urus recently transitioned to a V-8 PHEV setup. For Foschini and his team, a fully electrified lineup marks a significant milestone in the automaker's history. "Today marks the completion of the hybridization of our full portfolio," he said. "We started with the Revuelto in March, followed by the Urus in April, now a hybrid, and we're concluding with the Temerario... It's historic for Lamborghini. We've never had a lineup as strong as it is today."
However, more batteries bring weight and weight distribution challenges, which Lamborghini addressed on the Revuelto. For the Temerario, Lamborghini cleverly integrated a 3.8-kilowatt-hour cell into the center tunnel, mounting it as low as possible to maintain a low center of gravity. Foschini assured me the car is "perfectly balanced." At 3,725 pounds dry, the Temerario is heavier than the lightest Huracan, which weighed under 3,000 pounds without fluids. Despite the added weight, Foschini assured me the Temerario is highly capable on the track, and in some cases, even superior to the Huracan.
"On one hand, the weight is a potential drawback of electrification," he said. "But on the other hand, the front motors provide active torque vectoring, offering perfect handling on a powerful car... So the combination enhances the track experience compared to its predecessor."
The Huracan and Gallardo were both top sellers before the Urus SUV arrived, proving to be two of the most popular sports cars of their time. Foschini believes the Temerario will surpass them in success. However, Lamborghini won't ramp up Temerario production to Toyota's Camry levels. "In the past, we increased sales from Gallardo to Huracan... We might increase slightly with the Temerario but consciously. We're not aiming for volume records; we aim for exclusivity, maintaining proper residual value and margin. So, there's natural growth."
The Lamborghini Temerario goes on sale early next year. Although the company hasn't officially announced a price, we anticipate it will start around the $400,000 mark, slightly higher than the outgoing Huracan. Whether fans will embrace the V-8 remains to be seen, but it's difficult to imagine they won't. A bespoke engine, twin turbos, electric assist, and nearly 1,000 hp should attract Lamborghini enthusiasts to dealerships.
