Lamborghini’s New V-8: A Replacement for the V-10 That You’ll Love

Federico Foschini, Lamborghini’s Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, is a persuasive figure. At The Quail in Monterey, when asked if enthusiasts will miss the Huracan’s V-10 engine, Foschini retorts with a confident, “It’s not V-10 to V-8, it’s 10 to 10,000,” referring to the Temerario’s V-8 redline of 10,000 rpm.

Despite the new Temerario having two fewer cylinders than the praised V-10 of the Huracan, Lamborghini remains optimistic about its appeal. Foschini emphasizes that the Temerario’s engine, a custom-built twin-turbo V-8, is exclusive to this model and not shared with Audi or any other brand.

Foschini proudly highlights the engine’s unique attributes, such as its 90-degree “Hot Vee” configuration, flat-plane crankshaft, and two turbochargers generating 36 psi of boost. With lightweight aluminum-alloy heads, titanium rods, and DLC-coated valvetrain components, this V-8 achieves 197 horsepower per liter, totaling 789 horsepower before hybrid assistance.

The complete setup delivers 920 horsepower, edging into hypercar territory, though it falls short compared to the 1,001 horsepower of the V-12 Revuelto. Foschini is confident that the distinct characteristics of each model, with the Revuelto being more powerful and versatile, will attract buyers to both.

The Temerario marks a milestone in Lamborghini’s shift toward hybridization, with the Revuelto and Urus also featuring hybrid systems. Foschini views this as a historic development for the brand, noting the strategic placement of a 3.8-kilowatt-hour battery in the center tunnel to maintain a low center of gravity and balanced handling. At 3,725 pounds, the Temerario is heavier than the Huracan but promises superior track performance due to its active torque vectoring front motors.

Despite the increased weight, Foschini remains optimistic about the Temerario’s track capabilities and potential success, projecting it to surpass the popularity of the Gallardo and Huracan. Lamborghini plans to maintain exclusivity rather than aiming for high production volumes, with the Temerario expected to start around $400,000. The new V-8 engine, combined with electric assist and nearly 1,000 horsepower, is anticipated to attract Lamborghini enthusiasts to dealerships.