What It's Like to Test Drive the 2017 Lamborghini Huracán Spyder
By Nick Mafi. Photos courtesy of Lamborghini.
For anyone who grew up loving cars, Lamborghini was among the brands that were placed in the highest of echelons, right there with Ferrari, Bugatti, and Maserati, among others. Over time, the Italian carmaker hasn't lost any of its luster. In fact, they continue to produce some of the fastest and most beautifully designed cars in the world. And while the likes of a few newcomers, such as McLaren and Pagani, have muscled their way to the table of luxury automobiles, Lamborghini still builds cars that turn nearly every head on the road. I know this because I spent a weekend earlier this summer test-driving the 2017 Lamborghini Huracán Spyder through the streets of New York City. I don't believe I have ever received more attention in my entire life than I did during those few days. Everywhere I drove, people were stopping, staring, taking pictures, begging me to rev the engine, or running up to take selfies and give high-fives (at red lights). There was even a group of teenagers following me in their own car with their windows rolled down, recording the Lamborghini gliding through the streets. Never have I felt like more of a celebrity, or realized how quickly my star power would fade the moment I parked and left the car. Below is my take on driving the 2017 Lamborghini Huracán Spyder.
Exterior Features
It's almost a guarantee that in the brand's 54-year history, no one has ever looked at a Lamborghini and thought, That looks like a boring car. And the 2017 Huracán Spyder is no exception. The vehicle is not only close to the ground, but also is designed to always look aggressive and ready to accelerate. The lines of the vehicle (doors, base, etc.) all gently slope toward the nose. The car includes 20-inch wheels (which roughly cost $1,400), as well as a convertible roof that can open in 17 seconds.
Interior Features
To sit in the Lamborghini Huracán Spyder is something special. It's the closest I have ever felt to being inside of an actual race car. Perhaps it's because of flip switch controls (that look like those in an airplane cockpit), the snugness of the seating, or the close proximity to pavement below, but once you sit in the car and place your hands on the steering wheel, the urge to drive fast is there and it's real. It must be said, for anyone (driver or passenger) that is 6' 3" or taller, the car will likely be too small to comfortably fit you. You probably won't be seeing many NBA basketball players in this Lamborghini Huracán Spyder. Other, much smaller initial nuances do arise as well, such as the placement of turn signals. Which is to say, there are no turn signals (something that took me an embarrassing amount of time to figure out). Rather, to indicate if you want to switch lanes or make a turn, there is a button right next to your left thumb on the steering wheel that you press to the left or right.
Engine
Nestled into the rear of the car is the roar of the powerful 5.2-liter, V-10 engine that operates a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with 610 horsepower. In more everyday terms, that means the car drives anywhere from 14 to 20 miles per gallon. According to Lamborghini, the Huracán Spyder can zip from zero to 62 m.p.h. in 3.4 seconds. But it certainly felt to be quicker than that. The acceleration seemed to be more on par with the 2017 Audi R8, a car that can go the same speed in 2.9 seconds. And that makes sense, after all, as the two cars share the same engine and transmission. (In fact, Lamborghini is owned by the Volkswagen Group through its subsidiary Audi).
Selling Points
The 2017 Lamborghini Huracán Spyder is the type of car that truly allows you to appreciate the highest levels of design and engineering. At $262,450, the driving pleasure (and attention) that owners will receive from the car is more than other vehicles in similar, if not higher price points. Enjoyable throughout multiple seasons due to the convertible rooftop, this is the type of vehicle you do not want to keep in the garage to simply admire. It's far too much fun to drive.
This story originally appeared on Architectural Digest.
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