Lamborghini Huracan Performante (

The name of the new Lamborghini Huracan Performante makes it sound as if the standard Huracan isn't 'performante', which it most certainly is. But this latest iteration is more 'performante' still.It gets this name rather than Superleggera because the focus was on being 'performante' rather than lightweighting: almost every aspect of the car has been reworked, but mass is only down 40kgs.

Actually, the focus was on destroying the Nordschliefe production car record, which the Performante did with a 6m52sec lap. But the requirements of the 'Ring have left us with a car that is both dazzling on the track and usable on the road. It retains its naturally-aspirated V10, of course, but also its all-wheel drive, as that's what Chief Engineer Maurizio Reggiano gauged would be best for the 'Ring attempt.

So not only do we get the best Huracan yet, but the atmo engine and all-paw grip give this car a real point of difference to rear-driven track-focussed specials from the rivals. What separates the Performante from a regular Lamborghini Huracan The top end of the engine has been heavily reworked, including the intake system from the Super Trofeo race cars and a new exhaust which cuts back-pressure, saves 10kgs on its own, and sounds like death metal.

Power is up, from 602bhp to 631bhp. Lambo claims 2.9sec for the 62mph sprint but the standard car has been independently clocked faster than that.

The entire chassis has been revised, starting with stickier, bespoke P-Zero Corsas: the Trofeos on which the record were set are an option. The bushing is 50 per cent stiffer to cope with the higher forces. Roll stiffness is up 15 per cent but vertical stiffness only 10 per cent to cope with the surface of the Nordschliefe, and this helps to maintain the standard Huracan's relatively compliant behaviour on public roads. The steering, braking and stability control calibrations have all been revised too, the latter to allow the 'oo-racan', as Reggiano charmingly calls it, 'more of oversteering, more of an attitude of drift.'

But the big news is the ALA system, for Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva. Active aero isn't new, and there's a fairly standard flap operated by electric motors in the front to help quell understeer. But active elements in the rear bodywork can alter the airflow over either end of the forged carbon rear wing independently, loading the inside rear wheel for higher corner speeds and greater traction out of them. Specifications
Price when new: £215,000
On sale in the UK: Now
Engine: 5204cc V10, 631bhp @ 6000rpm, 442lb ft @6500rpm
Transmission: Seven speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive
Performance: 2.9 sec 0-62mph, 202mph, 20.6mpg, 314g/km CO2
Weight / material: 1382kgs / aluminium, composites
Dimensions (length/width/height in mm): 4506/1924/116