LAMBORGHINI

Far and away the most impressive number is its lap time at Willow Springs International Raceway’s “Big” track. There, it shattered the Porsche 918 Spyder’s long-standing record by a full second with a time of just 1:22.5. Unfortunately, a month before we tested the Performante, we tested the McLaren 720S, whose turbo torque contributed to a blistering 1:21.7 and gave it the official lap record. Still, it’s a monumental accomplishment for a Lamborghin,The second impressive figure is the figure eight, where this European-spec Lamborghini is now tied with the Porsche 918 Spyder for the quickest lap at 22.2 seconds. The Porsche pulled a slightly higher 1.06 average g to the Performante’s 1.00, though. It’s also 0.8 second quicker than a standard Huracán and quicker than contemporaries such as the Ferrari 488 GTB and McLaren 720S.

Indeed, the Performante’s lateral grip in general is staggering but not quite record-setting. On the skidpad, it ranks behind the Camaro SS 1LE, Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R, Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, and the current- and previous-generation Corvette Z06 and the Dodge Viper ACR at 1.12 average lateral g.It’s a similar situation in acceleration. The Performante cuts 0.2 second off the standard Huracán, hitting 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. It’s damn quick but lands in a sixth-place tie with the Audi R8 V10+ and Tesla Model S P90D. Just ahead are the McLaren 720S and Porsche 911 Turbo S at 2.5 seconds, the 918 Spyder and Ferrari LaFerrari at 2.4, and the Model S P100D Ludicrous at 2.3. The 488 GTB needs 2.7 seconds.

If you’re interested in drag racing, you’re going to do well. With a 10.4-second elapsed time at 134.5 mph, the Performante is tied with the Lamborghini Aventador SV and Bugatti Veyron 16.4, and it is fifth overall behind the LaFerrari, McLaren P1, 918 Spyder, and 720S. The 488 GTB runs a 10.6.

The Huracán Performante is top five in braking, too. Tied with the Viper GTS, 911 S, Camaro SS 1LE, 720S, last-gen Corvette Z06, and Ferrari F430 Scuderia, the Performante stops from 60 mph in 93 feet. Ahead of it are the Corvette Z06 and Grand Sport and the 911 Turbo S. The 488 GTB needs 94 feet.More interesting than the raw numbers is the way the Performante delivers them. One of the last naturally aspirated supercars, the Performante’s acceleration curve is a beautifully linear crescendo as the comparatively low torque gives way to world-class horsepower. The longer you stretch it out toward its 8,500-rpm redline, the more power it seems to make. The limiter comes on hard with zero warning, so you’ve got to keep an eye on the tach; the engine sounds like it could spin to double its limit, and the power never lets off.

There’s a certain beauty to that naturally aspirated torque. It allows you a moment to think. In turbocharged cars such as the 720S and 488 GTB, corners are coming at you so quickly that you brake and turn more by instinct than by rational thought. It’s less a feeling of the car accelerating and more as if you’ve reached out, grabbed the horizon, and pulled it to you in an instant. The Performante builds its speed in a less bewildering manner, giving your brain a split second to adjust to the rapidly blurring scenery out the windshield.

It also affords you an additional cushion of control exiting a corner. Driving any car fast is all about smooth inputs, and the need to be smooth on the throttle escalates with power. Having all that turbo torque available the moment you crack the throttle exiting a corner comes with a great responsibility to apply it judiciously, lest you end up backward in a ditch. Less torque and a comparatively gradual implantation eases the mind as you roll into the throttle leaving corners.