Is the Temerario the Ultimate "Starter" Lambo?

Hypebeast

08-08-2025

There areLamborghinis, and then there's theTemerario. More than just the successor to theHuracán, this is a redefinition of the modern supercar and one that's meant to be an entry-level offering into the Italian automaker's supercar lineup.
It's a plug-in hybrid with three electric motors. It's got a twin-turbo V8 that revs to 10,000 rpm. It's loaded with tech and aerodynamic features. But more than that, it's a love letter to performance, written in the unmistakable language of Sant'Agata. From the moment we saw it, heard it and then felt its straight-line fury, it was clear the Temerario isn't just a marketing ploy but rather a thoughtfully designed piece of Italian machinery.
We flew to Estoril Circuit in Portugal, a track where Ayrton Senna carved his name into history, toTest Drivethe Temerario in its natural habitat. The 2.7-mile layout's mix of elevation, technical corners and long straights proved ideal for putting every inch of this new hybrid Lambo through its paces. What followed was a full-throttle exploration into three dimensions of the Temerario: its design, technology and behavior on the limit. What it revealed was not just a successor, but an indicator of Lamborghini's future.
The Temerario doesn't whisper its arrival; it announces itself with a new take on the Lamborghini form: wide, low and futuristic, yet grounded in classic mid-engine proportions. A sharply pointed shark nose leads the charge, its wide-set hexagonal DRLs now double as airflow channels for cooling and aerodynamics. Centro Stile calls this new direction 'essential and iconic,' stripping away unnecessary flourishes in favor of tensioned surfaces and tightly controlled muscularity. From afar, the silhouette reads like a fighter jet poised for takeoff, short overhangs, tight greenhouse and a massive rear haunch that speaks to the power beneath.
Every exterior detail pulls double duty; the hexagonal taillights are also air pass-throughs, helping to cool the engine bay. The sharp creases along the sides direct air toward the V8's hungry intakes, while the subtle roof channel guides flow toward the integrated rear wing. Even the fixed rear spoiler is sculpted for pressure balance. For those who opt for the Alleggerita (lightweight) pack, downforce at the rear increases by a staggering 158 percent compared to the Huracán EVO.
Walking through Estoril's paddock, we admired how the forms evolve in motion. Slats and scoops disappear into tension lines, a new hexagonal exhaust outlet centers the rear visually and the engine — displayed beneath a transparent cover like mechanical jewelry — is cleanly integrated into a wide, muscled back end, framed by a motorsport-style diffuser.
Inside, the 'Feel like a pilot' philosophy manifests in a low-slung driving position and cockpit that's more jet fighter than sports car. Carbon fiber, Corsatex suede and Alcantara frame your view, while the 12.3-inch digital cluster dominates the driver's field of vision. Physical controls are back—rotary knobs, switches and the signature missile launch-inspired start button under a red flip-up guard gives tactile presence to every interaction. A second 9.1-inch screen gives co-pilots their own digital view, offering telemetry, drive mode readouts and the occasional bragging rights.
At the heart of the Temerario is one of Lamborghini's most ambitious engineering feats: a twin-turbocharged 4L V8 with a flat-plane crank, titanium connecting rods and a redline of 10,000 rpm. On its own, the V8 produces 789 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. But that's just the opening act; integrated directly between the engine and the new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is a 147 hp axial-flux electric motor. Up front, two more electric motors provide torque vectoring and all-wheel drive. Together, the system produces 920 hp and torque arrives with surgical precision.
This setup doesn't just boost performance, it reshapes the experience. The electric motor in P1 position works as a torque filler, eliminating lag and delivering seamless power between shifts. It also functions as a starter, generator and power unit for full-electric 'Città' mode. In the city, the Temerario glides silently on electrons. But select 'Sport' or 'Corsa,' and the orchestra comes alive: boost builds to 36 psi, the flat-plane crank sings and the symphony of combustion and electricity hits with force and finesse.
Energy storage comes from a compact 3.8 kWh lithium-ion battery mounted within the central tunnel. This location keeps weight low and central, optimizing balance. It can be recharged via plug-in (in just 30 minutes), regenerative braking, or direct input from the V8. Meanwhile, Lamborghini's LDV 2.0 system uses the front motors for advanced torque vectoring, improving turn-in, stability and reducing brake fade by minimizing reliance on friction braking. Even braking energy gets harvested back into the system, proving that sustainability and savagery can coexist.
Inside the cockpit, Lamborghini introduces its most advanced infotainment and telemetry system to date. Three screens: one for the driver, one for the passenger and one central 8.4-inch unit, which forms the hub of what Lambo calls the Vision Unit. Through it, we access Telemetry 2.0, Memories Recorder and Dashcam apps, all integrated with the Lamborghini Unica app. Want to analyze a lap? Send the data straight to your phone, want to record a hot lap with heart rate, G-force and sector splits? You can do that too.
Estoril is a circuit that demands composure through the quick stuff, agility in the slow and big brakes into Turn One. The Temerario excelled in all three. Acceleration out of the final corner onto the main straight felt explosive — 0 to 62 mph came and went in just 2.7 seconds and we were able to get it as high as 304 km/h on the straight — nearly 190 mph, which is just 20 mph from its top speed. The powertrain's linearity was impressive: no sudden spikes or hesitation, just a relentless surge to 10,000 rpm, with the hybrid motors pulling hard from low revs and the V8 climbing into a howling frenzy. Our biggest critique? The sound. While it was certainly enjoyable, we were left desiring more; however, this has unfortunately become the norm in an industry battling tough regulatory guidelines.
As we braked hard into Turn 1, the car revealed just how much work went into thermal management. The carbon-ceramic 'CCB Plus' setup — 16.1-inch rotors up front, 15.4 inches in the rear — felt unshakeable. Even after multiple laps, fade was nonexistent. New airflow ducts and underbody vortex generators kept the brake temps in check, even under intense load and thanks to the rear e-motor's regenerative assist, braking zones felt shorter and more controlled than expected for a car tipping the scales at 3,725 lbs.
The chassis was the biggest revelation, with over 20 percent more torsional rigidity than the Huracán; the new aluminum spaceframe kept the body taut through Estoril's fast S-curves. Torque vectoring from the front motors made mid-corner balance feel eerily neutral — there was none of the understeer or vagueness that tends to plague earlier mid-engine Lambos. On fast entries like Parabolica Interior, we could brake late, turn in hard and let the hybrid system pull us out with just the right touch of rotation. It was predictable, confident and deeply addictive.
Last but not least there's Drift Mode, three levels let us choose how sideways we wanted to get. On the lowest setting, the car allowed slight rear yaw before subtly pulling us back in line, ideal for playful corner exits. On the highest, the Temerario became a tail-happy missile, letting us hang it out with surgical control. It never felt artificial or gimmicky, just smart engineering applied for maximum fun. Lap after lap, corner after corner, the Temerario lived up to its name: Italian for 'daring,' 'fierce,' or 'courageous.' While it's V12-based counterpart certainly seems to grab more attention, we're excited to see where the brand goes with this 'Starter Lambo' and, after spending time with it, feel it has a promising future ahead.
See the Temerario in motion in our Reel below: