Lamborghini

Blending classic design with modern style, it features better aerodynamics, more space and advanced tech 

by SHAUQI WAHAB 

MALAYSIA was graced with the exciting arrival of a new, bold hybrid automobile which might be a game-changer for the luxury car brand segment. 

The Italian luxury auto brand Lamborghini unveiled the Temerario, a groundbreaking model that Automobili Lamborghini Asia Pacific regional director Francesco Scardaoni called as the completion of Lamborghini’s hybridisation strategy. 

As the second model in Lamborghini’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) line-up after the Revuelto and following the hybrid Urus SE, the Temerario marks the brand’s full transition into a hybridised product portfolio. 

“The Temerario represents a new chapter. It’s the successor to the Huracan, but it’s more than that — it pushes the boundaries of design and performance while staying true to the Lamborghini DNA,” he said in an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Reserve (TMR) earlier this month. 

The Temerario is Lamborghini’s second high-performance electrified vehicle after the Revuelto, but it stands out with an entirely new design direction. 

The car’s styling draws inspiration from past icons while forging a bold new visual language. 

“We wanted a car that still feels like pure Lamborghini — iconic and emotional — but also introduces a new design era. 

“There are lines from the Gallardo at the front and rear, and the DRL design comes from the Sesto Elemento, but they’ve been reinterpreted into something unmistakably new,” he said. 

Underneath its sculpted frame lies an advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain that fuses a naturally aspirated engine with an electric front axle. 

Lamborghini’s engineers placed electric motors on the front wheels, enabling active torque vectoring without relying on traditional braking. 

This leads to better stability, sharper cornering and higher responsiveness. 

He said that the Temerario achieved over 600Nm of torque at just 1,200rpm. 

“And for the first time ever, a Lamborghini engine revs up to 10,000rpm in a production car — that’s something truly unique,” he said. 

From V10 To V8 Twin-turbo Hybrid 

Engineered entirely from scratch in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, the Temerario introduces a dramatic departure from its predecessor, the Huracan. 

Most notably, Lamborghini has replaced the naturally aspirated V10 engine with an all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain. 

This internal combustion unit is paired with three electric motors — including a P1-position axial flow e-motor located between the engine and gearbox and two front-axle electric motors — delivering a combined 920 CV, a massive upgrade over the Huracan EVO’s 640 CV. 

The new powertrain also allows the engine to rev up to 10,000rpm, making it the highest-revving production engine ever created by Lamborghini. 

In terms of performance, the Temerario accelerates from 0kph to 100kph in 2.7 seconds, surpassing the Huracan EVO’s 2.9-second time. 

It also achieves a top speed of 343kph, a slight but meaningful increase over the Huracan’s 325kph. 

Braking performance is similarly improved, stopping from 100kph in just 32m, aided by Lamborghini’s upgraded CCB Plus carbon ceramic braking system. 

The Temerario’s design is a bold evolution of Lamborghini’s visual language. 

The exterior is marked by a new hexagonal DRL signature, redesigned aerodynamics and a sharp, compact silhouette. 

A completely new aluminium spaceframe chassis improves torsional rigidity and interior space has been significantly enhanced — with 34mm more headroom, 46mm more legroom and the ability to accommodate drivers up to 200cm tall wearing helmets, a clear nod to track-day utility. 

Inside, Lamborghini has adopted its “feel like a pilot” philosophy with a new-generation cockpit. 

A 12.3-inch digital dashboard is paired with intuitive drive-mode selectors, including 13 driving modes — a vast upgrade from the Huracan’s simpler Anima system. 

These include five road and track settings (Città, Strada, Sport, Corsa and Corsa Plus) and three hybrid-specific modes (Recharge, Hybrid, Performance), all instantly configurable via steering wheel rotors. 

The Temerario’s aerodynamic prowess is another significant leap forward. It delivers 103% more rear downforce than the Huracan EVO and up to 158% more with the optional Alleggerita track-focused package, which also shaves over 25kg from the car’s weight through carbon components. 

Further enhancements include Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Race tyres tailored for both road and track use, a new Lamborghini Vision Unit multimedia interface and improved luggage capacity — 112 litres in the front trunk, compared to the Huracan’s more limited space. 

Electrification with Emotion

While many automakers have faced setbacks in EV adoption — especially in Europe — Scardaoni maintains that Lamborghini’s customer-centric strategy is proving successful. 

“We never wanted to be the first to go electric; we wanted to be the best,” he said. 

He added that hybridisation is not a compromise for Lamborghini: It adds performance, emotion and sustainability. 

The Temerario fulfils this vision by delivering more, not less: More power, more responsiveness and more versatility. 

“You can drive it silently through your neighbourhood in the morning in electric vehicle (EV) mode, then hit the racetrack in the afternoon with the full 10,000rpm scream of the engine,” he said.

Multiple modes are available, ranging from EV mode, night mode and also drift mode.

Furthermore, other features which separates Temerario from its predecessors lies in the model’s broad usability, too. He said that with the new model, users can f i t two cabin trolleys in the frunk and two more behind the seats.

For die-hard Huracan fans, Scardaoni has a simple pitch. “Drive the Temerario, feel the torque at 1,200rpm, hear that 10,000rpm scream, and you’ll understand it’s not just a successor — it’s an upgrade in every possible way,” he said. 

Despite recent EV market slowdowns globally, Lamborghini is not revising its roadmap. 

Being a very customer-centric brand which prioritises users’ feedback, Lamborghini decided to not abandon the internal combustion engine. 

“That’s why hybrid was never a stopgap. It’s a deliberate, long-term step,” he said. 

He then confirmed that Lamborghini remains on track to deliver a fourth model — a fully pure electric 2+2 GT — by 2030, complementing its existing line-up, not replacing it. 

On concerns whether rivals might follow the Temerario’s path, he viewed it as a positive thing as the brand raises the bar which could lead to more innovative designs and features. 

“We welcome competition, but as we say in Italy, the Temerario is ‘fuoriclasse’ — in a class of its own,” he said. 

Leading the Charge in Asia Pacific

Scardaoni believes that Asia Pacific will be a crucial region for Lamborghini’s electrified future. 

As the region are embracing electrification with the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) roadmap along with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aspirations, Malaysia and other Asian countries have a strong infrastructure support. 

A prime example is China’s fully automated automotive factory, where its technology marvel propels its automotive industry, as well as other sectors. 

“In fact, many young customers today won’t even consider a car if it isn’t eco-friendly,” he said. 

The Temerario, therefore, isn’t just a halo model — it’s a pioneer for a new customer era. 

Above all, Lamborghini wants to preserve the visceral emotion that defines its brand, even in a hybrid future. 

“Our cars must always be emotional, where the hybrid system in the Temerario doesn’t dull that. It enhances it. 

“More performance, more flexibility, less carbon emission and more reasons to smile every time you get behind the wheel,” he said. 

With a starting price of RM1.35 million before duties and options, the Lamborghini Temerario is now available for order in Malaysia. 

Its debut not only concludes the brand’s hybridisation roadmap but signals a future where performance and sustainability co-exist without compromise.

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• This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition

The post Lamborghini Temerario: Bold step into hybrid era without compromise appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.