2018 Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder

The Spyder is the topless version of Lamborghini's Huracan LP 610-4 supercar. Its outrageous styling and blistering track performance are in the best Lamborghini tradition, but the Italian automaker has also made of point of baking in enough high-tech luxury and convenience features to make the Huracan less of a raging bull in daily driving situations.

Overview

With fierce, fighter-jet-inspired lines and a full contingent of gaping air intakes, it's impossible to mistake the Huracan for anything but a Lamborghini. There's more than enough muscle to back up the menacing look, with a 5.2-liter V10 mounted amidships producing 601 horsepower at a screaming 8,250 rpm and 413 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm.

The mill, which utilizes both port and direct injection to maximize power and efficiency, pairs with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and a traction-enhancing all-wheel-drive system. This setup enables the Huracan to rocket from zero-to-60 mph in a claimed 3.4 seconds -- 0.2 seconds slower than the coupe on which it's based -- on the way to a top speed of 201 mph.

Gas mileage is kept in check by a cylinder deactivation feature and an automatic stop/start system.

Balancing out the supercar's accelerative abilities are massive, nearly fade-free carbon ceramic brakes and an available magnetorheological adaptive damping system that provides nimble handling in addition to a respectable degree of ride comfort. The dampers, along with AWD system, engine parameters, transmission settings and steering ratio, can be adjusted to suit the driver's needs. Three different modes - Strada (street), Sport, and Corsa (race) - can be selected via a steering wheel-mounted knob. Notably, the latter offers launch control for fast, easy drag strip runs.

Life aboard

Inside, the cabin continues the outrageous theme of the exterior with an aggressive, futuristic dashboard highlighted by hexagonal air vents and, in place of traditional analog gauges, a 12.3-inch TFT instrument panel. The latter can be configured with a large central speedometer and other vehicle info, a full-width navigation display, or a combination of both.

A sleek "floating” center stack was designed with user-friendliness in mind while also providing a bit of dramatic theater in the form of the starter button. It's protected by a bright red cover that, like a cruise missile fire control, must be flipped up to get the action underway. As one would expect, stitched Nappa leather adorns much of the interior, and Alcantara inserts can also be spec'd.

Available in either black, brown or red, the cloth roof can be stowed in just 17 seconds while the car is traveling up to 31 mph. The Spyder also includes a power rear window that can be operated whether the roof is up or down.

Key competitors

Those fortunate enough to be considering the Huracan should also test drive the turbocharged Ferrari 488 GTB Spider and the Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet.