Lamborghini Temerario, testing the 920 hp, 10,000 rpm hybrid supercar on the Estoril track.

ESTORIL – All hell breaks loose upon exiting Senna Curve: floor the accelerator, and the progression is impressive. The engine screams in every gear up to 10,000 rpm—third, fourth, fifth, sixth—until it reaches over 305 km/h before braking hard at the end of the straight, gently downhill. Unperturbed, the car accelerates from over 300 km/h to just over 70 km/h, then revs furiously, weaving from kerb to kerb to round the Vip curve, before unleashing itself once more on the other semi-straight. On the legendary Estoril circuit in Portugal, the Lamborghini Temerario lived up to its promise, proving to be a powerful yet easy-to-drive and highly entertaining car, both in the standard version and, even more so, in the Alleggerita version, which, as its name suggests, weighs 25 kilograms less and boasts greater load capacity and aerodynamic efficiency.

A supercar with a beautiful, muscular line and a comfortable, modern interior, it gives everyone the chance to feel like a driver in complete safety, thanks above all to the incredible thrust of the new plug-in hybrid twin-turbo V8 engine and the stability provided by three electric motors, which ensure superlative traction and lighten a vehicle that still weighs nearly 2 tons. Much to the nostalgia of V10 enthusiasts, this hybrid V8 significantly raises the performance bar compared to the Huracan, to which the Temerario is the direct heir. And it confirms that if electrification is at the service of performance, the leap forward compared to traditional engines is significant.

The new 4-liter, 90-degree V8 engine, codenamed L411 and developed entirely in Sant'Agata Bolognese with the assistance of top-quality Italian component suppliers, delivers 200 hp per liter for a total of 800 hp and 730 Nm of torque. Supercharged by two 2.5-bar turbochargers, it is the first production engine to rev to 10,000 rpm, like a racing engine. It is also supported by three electric motors that bring the total powertrain output to 920 hp: two on the front axle, which, as we experienced at Estoril, ensure all-wheel drive and incredible steering precision; and one positioned between the V8 and the 8-speed automatic transmission, which bridges the torque gap of the turbocharged internal combustion engine and provides immediate thrust and smooth, linear power delivery like a naturally aspirated engine.

The electrification is powered by a 3.8 kWh battery (soon to be upgraded to 7 kWh) that can be recharged with AC at home or at charging stations up to 7 kW, or with regenerative braking and the V8 engine in Recharge mode. But it's clear that it's primarily used to power the three electric motors and, at most, to drive out of the garage on electric power, or little more. After all, those who buy the Temerario don't do it to ride electric but to hear the roar of the V8, reach a top speed (hopefully on a suitable track) of 343 km/h, and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds. A real time, as we witnessed while testing the launch control on the Estoril straight, which digitally makes the new Lamborghini leap like a military jet taking off, nailing driver and passenger into the sporty, super-ergonomic seats.

But the real plus of this super sports car is its ease of driving, which allows for remarkable performance with incredible ease. This is also thanks to the Bridgestone tires, designed specifically for the Temerario, both in the Sport version, which we tested on the standard model and which proved very good even on the track, and in the Potenza version, fitted to the Alleggerita model. Their grip and resistance to stress made them feel like slicks, allowing for a significant increase in pace while being, of course, less slippery. But above all, it's the driving modes, or rather "experiences," that make it possible to achieve the best possible combination of setup and engine depending on the situation.

Using the two rotary controls on the steering wheel, you can select City, Road, Sport, Race, and the most extreme Corsa ESC Off modes (which deactivates all electronic controls). Launch control can be activated by pushing a checkered flag button on the left, and the rotary control on the right allows you to adjust the hybrid system between Recharge, Hybrid, and Performance, ensuring the full 920 horsepower of the powertrain is unleashed while also ensuring all-wheel drive. But that's not all: there's also the new Drift mode, with three levels, which we tested on the track and which is a lot of fun, but given the power available, it should be used with caution, especially in the mode that allows for maximum yaw angle.

The elegant and muscular line reflects the aesthetic vision of chief design officer Mitja Borkert and respects the Lamborghini tradition, with the raked windshield, the widening side section and the extensive use of “hexagons” around the car, which are maximally exalted at the rear with the high-mounted headlights and exhaust outlets, all of which are, indeed, hexagonal.

The refined and modern interior has been significantly improved and enlarged compared to the Huracan, so much so that NBA basketball players could now be among the Temerario's new customers, as even taller drivers have enough space. The sporty, enveloping seats are also very comfortable and can be electric on the standard model. Finding the right driving position is very easy, and the adjustable steering wheel is precise and well-shaped, although it's possible to accidentally activate the windshield wipers using the buttons on the right spoke. The instrument panel is comprehensive and clearly visible, with plenty of physical buttons and small displays to minimize distractions.

The dashboard features a clear and comprehensive 12.3-inch digital display, while the instrument panel features a vertical 8.4-inch touchscreen that controls everything, including the climate control, while the passenger compartment has a long, thin 9.1-inch display. The Sonus Faber audio system is impressive, but the real highlight is the telemetry system, integrated into the Unica app. Thanks to three cameras, including dashcam functionality, it allows you to record videos with data and parameters, including track experiences, as it has more than 100 circuits from around the world stored in its memory.

With the Temerario, as President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann said, "Lamborghini aims to outsell the Huracan," because "it's a car you can drive every day, as one in three of our customers already does." And given that the Huracan represents approximately 30% of the Sant'Agata-based company's total global sales—over 3,000 units out of the 10,687 Lamborghini will sell in 2024—the challenge is significant. But the new Temerario has all the credentials to win, even if it's obviously not for everyone: prices start at €415,000 for the standard version and €458,000 for the Alleggerita. And there are also endless customization options, starting with 400 colors available.