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." A clear point made. He was, naturally, 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 adore this engine just as much. 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 explains. "We didn't develop a standard four-liter bi-turbo V-8; we created something unexpected… We could have easily used a V-8 from our lineup and it might have performed adequately. But building it from the ground up was essential from the start." 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—a robust 789 horsepower before hybrid assistance is factored in.
With a total of 920 horsepower, the Temerario stealthily enters hypercar territory, which also overlaps with the Revuelto. The V-12 hybrid hypercar boasts 1,001 horsepower by comparison. However, Foschini isn't concerned about the Temerario cannibalizing Revuelto sales—in fact, many customers might end up owning both. "Ultimately, there's nearly a 100-horsepower difference. We offer different acceleration, top speeds, and meet different customer needs," Foschini notes. "One is the iconic Lamborghini… the other is more fun to drive yet also more versatile and usable. They cater to different needs, and it's evident that many customers will purchase both… But they are distinct cars… Thus, the strength of our portfolio lies in having 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, a fully electrified lineup marks a significant milestone in the automaker's history. "Today marks the completion of the hybridization of our entire portfolio," he tells me. "You see the three models now in succession. We began in March with the Revuelto. We continued in April in Beijing with the Urus, now a hybrid. And we are concluding the hybridization of our product lineup with the Temerario… It's historic for Lamborghini. We've never had a lineup as strong as it is today."
However, more batteries bring more challenges with weight and weight distribution, a hurdle Lamborghini faced with the Revuelto. On the Temerario, Lamborghini 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 assures me the car is "perfectly balanced," as it should be. At 3,725 pounds dry, the Temerario is heavier than the lightest Huracan, which weighed under 3,000 pounds without fluids. But despite the added weight, Foschini assures me the Temerario is still highly capable on the track. And in some instances, even superior to the Huracan.
"On one hand, the weight is a potential drawback of electrification," he says. "But on the other hand, the two front motors act as active torque vectoring, providing perfect handling on the track, even on a powerful car… So I believe the combination offers an enhanced 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, that doesn't mean Lamborghini will ramp up Temerario production to Toyota's Camry levels.
"In the past, we increased our sales from Gallardo to Huracan… We might increase slightly with the Temerario but in a very deliberate manner. We're not targeting volume records; we aim for exclusivity, maintaining proper residual value, and keeping margins at the right level. So, there is natural growth." The Lamborghini Temerario will go on sale early next year. The company hasn't officially announced a price, but we anticipate the supercar will start around the $400,000 mark—a slight increase over the outgoing Huracan. Whether fans will embrace the V-8 remains to be seen, but it's difficult to imagine they won't. A beautiful bespoke engine, two turbos, electric assist, and nearly 1,000 hp should attract Lamborghini enthusiasts to dealerships.