Technicolour Dreamcoat Racer |
Just over four years ago, we appraised the Huracán LP640-4 Performante, describing it as Sant’Agata’s performance tribute to legendary Lambo engineer and test driver Bob Wallace. The Huracán STO takes this a step further as a road-homologated super sports car inspired by the Super Trofeo and GT3 Evo racers – in an Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
You cannot miss it, even if you try. Much like the amazing technicolour dreamcoat of the famous 50-year-old play by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, this special model from Automobili Lamborghini stands out from the crowd.
Looking splendid in its unique Pacific Violet (Viola Pasifae) and bright Orange (Arancio Xanto) Ad Personam custom paint coat, the Huracán STO (which stands for Super Trofeo Omologata) is a road-homologated super sports car inspired by Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s one-make racing series with Huracán Super Trofeo Evo cars, as well as their race-winning GT3 Evo models.
Launched in November last year in an exclusive livery of light blue (Blu Laufey) and orange (Arancio California) – reminiscent of the Gulf Racing colours – to exemplify its young and sporty racing spirit but available in a wide array of bright and unusual colours, the STO is the purest incarnation of the Lamborghini Squadra Corse heritage.
Since its launch in November last year, only two STO models have found their way to South Africa, and the owner of this example chose a highly distinctive colour combination for his special raging bull. Superseding the already brilliant Performante, the STO is the first Lamborghini supercar designed for regular track use (including a roll bar in the stripped-out interior, as in our specimen), with everything developed to maximise track performance.
The STO also uses the same naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 powerplant found in the Performante, delivering 470 kW of power but now with a broader and flatter torque curve (565 Nm at 6,500 rpm), which is ideal for track use. As in the GT3 Evo and Super Trofeo Evo racers, all these eager and energetic horses are sent to the wide rear tyres via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Starting up the engine, the familiar V10 burble quickly builds to a visceral crescendo as the STO accelerates away. As expected, it is slightly slower to 100 km/h than the all-wheel-drive Performante but not by much – 3.0 seconds versus 2.8 seconds – reaching 200 km/h in nine seconds and topping out at 310 km/h.
However, with more than 75% of its body made from carbon fibre, a rear fender with carbon “sandwich” formation technology (overall using 25% less carbon material while having the same structural rigidity), 20” Monolock matt black forged wheels made of magnesium and a 20% lighter windscreen, the STO is 43 kg lighter, and stiffer, than the Performante.
Also, according to Lamborghini, the STO is the first production car to have Formula One-derived Brembo carbon-ceramic resin matrix brakes, with 25% more stopping power than the brakes of the Performante, also designed to prevent brake fade in long race stints.
The “Cofango”
Furthermore, the inimitable Huracán profile has been optimised with the front bonnet, fenders and front bumper comprising one single component: the “cofango”. This combines the “cofano” (hood) and “parafango” (fender), including the front bumper, inspired by the Sesto Elemento.
Not only is this a lightweight component, but it’s also a timesaving access feature in motorsports. New front bonnet ducts increase the airflow through the central radiator to improve engine cooling and generate downforce. In addition, the cofango incorporates a new front splitter, directing airflow to the revised underbody of the car and the rear diffuser.
The cofango also pushes airflow to the top of the front fenders, with integrated louvres to maximise airflow from the wheel arch, increasing frontal downforce. The side profile of the cofango directs airflow around the front wheels, reducing drag. A new rear fender (derived from the Super Trofeo Evo) increases rear downforce, and a NACA duct-type engine air intake allows for a 30% decrease in static pressure losses.
The revised rear hood has an integrated air scoop to improve cooling. Dedicated air deflectors, integrated into the rear bonnet’s frame, manage the significant incoming airflow, while an integrated shark fin on the rear bonnet improves the STO’s dynamic abilities, particularly when cornering, by assisting yaw stability and increasing wing efficiency.
The single slotted wing with double aerofoil allows the front part of the aerofoil to rotate into three positions to enhance rear downforce – giving the STO the highest level of downforce in its class, with airflow efficiency improved by 37% and a downforce increase of 53% over the Performante.
Add to this an increased wheel track, stiffer suspension bushing, specific anti-roll bars and MagneRide 2.0 suspension and static aero aids producing a combined downforce of 420 kg at 280 km/h. As it is not restricted by racing regulations, the STO also has rear-axle steering and torque vectoring to assist the front wheels during cornering.
The sporty, responsive engine and gearchange mapping now include three new ANIMA modes (STO for everyday driving, Trofeo for track-attack, and Pioggia for rainy conditions) working with the Lamborghini Veicolo Dinamica Integrata (LDVI) vehicle dynamics system to optimise the car for all conditions.
Inside, the STO is optimised for purpose – as demonstrated by door latch openers, a rear arch (developed with Akrapovič and from high-grade titanium alloys 40% lighter than stainless steel) with four-point seatbelts and a frunk for helmet storage. Carbon fibre, Alcantara and Carbonskin are extensively used, and the touch screen control has a fully connected telemetry system for monitoring and recording track performance and analysing data.
Last Word
With 20,000 Huracán models produced since 2014 (this milestone was reached in April 2022), Lamborghini – fully committed to going hybrid-electric by 2025 – is keeping its most popular model range going by offering special derivatives; the latest being the Huracán Tecnica, in essence, a softer, more road-oriented version of the STO, introduced in April this year.
As such, the focused STO, in essence, a race car for the road, undoubtedly represents the pinnacle of Huracán production derivatives and, together with the Tecnica, will most probably be the last to use the amazing normally aspirated V10 power plant initially developed by Audi.
We adored the Performante while simultaneously wondering how Sant’ Agata could improve on it… Well, they did, as proved by the STO with its even sharper reflexes and enhanced dynamics. Yes, it comes at a price (a heady R7.7 million), but as the ultimate road-legal expression of Lamborghini’s racing prowess, it does not disappoint. It’s a future classic, even with an Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © RYAN ABBOTT