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Lamborghini prototype's exhaust suggests Aventador Performante is in the works

Lamborghini made waves with the introduction of its Huracan Performante, and more specifically, its stunning Nurburgring lap time that challenged million-dollar hypercars. Now, based on these new spy shots, it seems Lamborghini will build upon the success of the Huracan with a Performante version of the bigger, more powerful Aventador. Although the early roadster and later coupe look stock, they feature an exhaust that gives away what's under the skin. At the back, we can see the standard center-exit exhaust used on every normal Aventador, and even the previous top-tier Aventador, the SV. But above that is a strange metal box with slats and a pair of circles cut out. This box appears to hide the car's real exhaust. And if that's the case, they're positioned in the very same location as on the smaller Huracan Performante. Using the Huracan Performante as a model, we expect the Aventador version will make more horsepower than the regular Aventador S. The Huracan Performante made 28 more horsepower than the standard all-wheel-drive version, so we wouldn't be surprised to see just as much of an increase for the Aventador, which would put it at about 770 horsepower. The Aventador Performante will also likely use the Huracan's fancy active aerodynamics that can adjust downforce on the left and right sides independently in corners, and naturally there will be a giant wing at the back. Another interesting thing to note about these prototypes is the use of both a coupe and a roadster. We've seen a nearly production-ready Huracan Performante Spyder out testing, so it wouldn't be out of the question for Lamborghini to do the same for the Aventador. But it's surprising to see Lamborghini testing one this early when we only ever saw Huracan prototypes in coupe guise ahead of the coupe's full reveal. Related Video: Featured Gallery Lamborghini Aventador Performante Spy Shots View 15 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Spy Photos Lamborghini Convertible Coupe Future Vehicles Supercars

Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica boasts STO power and RWD

Lamborghini is bridging the gap between the two core versions of the Huracan with a new variant called Tecnica. Unveiled ahead of the 2022 New York Auto Show, the newest addition to the line packs a 631-horsepower V10, rear-wheel-drive, and aerodynamic updates. Developed to be equally at home on the road and on the track, the Huracan Tecnica fills the space separating the EVO and the STO. "In an era of virtual experiences, [the Tecnica] pays homage to technical purity and physical sensation," explained company boss Stephan Winkelmann. Visually, it stands out from its siblings with a redesigned front end that gains Y-shaped accents inspired by the track-only Huracan EVO2, a redesigned splitter, and air curtains integrated into the bumper (a first for the Huracan). Lamborghini notes that it gave the engine lid a new look to improve visibility, and cool-looking hexagonal exhaust outlets add a finishing touch to the muscular design. One noteworthy addition to the exterior design is the fixed rear wing. It helped engineers increase rear downforce by 35%, yet it doesn't increase drag; in fact, the Tecnica has 20% less drag compared to the EVO. New underbody panels further hone the aerodynamic profile. The cabin receives the same basic suite of technology found across the Huracan range, including a digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen-based infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility, but the interface is exclusive to the Tecnica. Height-adjustable sport seats upholstered in Alcantara come standard, though several other upholstery options are available. Power for the 3,040-pound Tecnica comes from the same naturally-aspirated, 5.2-liter V10 engine found in the Huracan STO. It develops 631 horsepower at a screaming 8,000 rpm and 417 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm, and it spins the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission linked to a pair of massive shift paddles. Lamborghini quotes a 0-to-62-mph time of 3.2 seconds; keep your foot down and the speedometer will display 124 mph in 9.1 seconds. Don't back off, and you'll reach the Tecnica's top speed of 202 mph. Rear-wheel-steering, torque vectoring, carbon ceramic brakes, and a modified Performance Traction Control System (P-TCS) help enthusiasts make the most of the 10-cylinder's output. Lamborghini adds that the suspension system has been tuned specifically for the Tecnica.

Lamborghini NA V12 swan song a track-only 830-hp Aventador SVR?

According to a poster on a McLaren Life forum and picked up by The Supercar Blog, Lamborghini is preparing a small-batch, track-only model to begin deliveries around 2021. At the end of last month, user Champagne612 wrote that he (or she) was "Going to spec next week and test drive the SVR V12 track version of AV." In the words of Champagne612, this Aventador SVR is the last hurrah for Lamborghini's naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12, a flourish before hybridization becomes necessary on the brand's iconic powerplant. Supposedly, only 40 SVRs will be made, each one producing 830 atmospheric horsepower. That would give the SVR 60 more horses than the road-legal SVJ. Lamborghini's only made two other SVR models. In 1968, there was the one-of-one Miura Jota SVR, a customer-request Lamborghini brewed with a mix of outsourced parts. More relevant to this latest car, in 1996 Lamborghini built 31 examples of the Diablo SV-R — based on the Diablo SV — to form a one-make race series. It's not clear if the coming SVR will be just a customer track-day car, a la the new Porsche 911 GT2 RS-based 935, or if Lamborghini has larger plans, a la the Ferrari FXX-K program. The Sant' Agata brand has leaned even more into the customer racing vibe of late, with a Urus one-make series planned, and the customer-request, road-legal Aventador-based SC18 Alston unveiled last year (pictured). Based on that, there's chatter that an Aventador SVR could be a feint at the so-called hypercar class opening next year in the World Endurance Championship. The connection seems more than tenuous, but it's not impossible. Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali said at the Goodwood Festival of Speed that the carmaker was perusing the hypercar regulations taking effect in 2020 until about 2025, and told Autocar that the SC18 Alston "shows that we have internal capabilities for such a [Le Mans] project." Those rules require a minimum weight of 1,100 kilograms, maximum combined output of 750 hp — an optional hybrid system can contribute no more than 270 hp — and a minimum of 20 production versions built over two years. Save for the fact that committed entries from Aston Martin and Toyota are much more slippery than any Lamborghini, the rules on paper put an Aventador-based model firmly in the mix, and unresolved regulations limiting downforce and mandating a minimum drag figure could inch an Italian competitor closer to the mark.