Federico Foschini is an exceptional salesman. When I inquired with Lamborghini's Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at The Quail in Monterey about fans' potential nostalgia for the Huracan's V-10, he responded: "It's not V-10 to V-8, it's 10 to 10,000." He was, of course, 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, Lamborghini is confident that enthusiasts 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 exclusively for the Temerario, a decision they 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 lineup, and it might have performed adequately. But starting from scratch was essential from day one."
Every aspect of this V-8 is distinctive. It features a 90-degree "Hot Vee" layout, a flat-plane crankshaft, and two turbochargers that generate 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 up to redline. The result is 197 horsepower per liter, totaling 789 horsepower before hybrid assistance.
With a combined 920 horsepower, the Temerario stealthily 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; he believes many customers might purchase both. "Ultimately, there's nearly a 100-horsepower difference. The cars offer different acceleration, top speeds, and cater to distinct customer needs," Foschini noted. "One is the iconic Lamborghini... the other is more fun to drive yet also more versatile and usable. They address different needs, and it's clear that many customers will buy both... They are two distinct cars... This diversity is the strength of our current lineup, featuring two highly differentiated, top-tier products."
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, this marks a significant milestone in the automaker's history. "Today marks the completion of the hybridization of our entire portfolio," he stated. "We began in March with the Revuelto, followed in April in Beijing with the hybrid Urus, and we're concluding with the Temerario... It's a historic moment for Lamborghini. We've never had a lineup as strong as it is today."
However, more batteries bring challenges with weight and weight distribution, a concern Lamborghini addressed on the Revuelto. On the Temerario, they ingeniously placed the 3.8-kilowatt-hour cell in the center tunnel and mounted 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 additional 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 the track with 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 era. Foschini believes the Temerario will surpass both in success. However, Lamborghini won't ramp up Temerario production to Toyota's scale for Camrys. "In the past, we increased sales from Gallardo to Huracan... We might increase slightly with the Temerario, but in a very conscious manner. We're not targeting volume records; we aim for exclusivity, maintaining proper residual value and marginality. So, there will be natural growth."
The Lamborghini Temerario will go 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. With a bespoke engine, two turbos, electric assist, and nearly 1,000 hp, Lamborghini enthusiasts should be flocking to dealerships.
