FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Huracan Spyder debuts

The cover and the roof have come off the latest raging bull from Lamborghini, the Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder.

Still fitted with a cloth roof like its Gallardo predecessor rather than making the shift to a folding hard-top, the Huracan can go topless electro-hydraulically in 17 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h.

The Huracan’s show-eve unveil will be followed today by the official motor show launch of its arch-rival, the Ferrari 488 Spider, although on claimed figures the Fezza has the edge.

When the Huracan Spyder turns up in the local market next year it will be priced at $470,800.

The technical fundamentals of the Spyder are basically identical to the year-old coupe, as it is powered by the same mid-mounted 449kW (or 610 metric horsepower) and 560Nm V10 engine attached to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and reworked electronically controlled all-wheel drive.

Weighing in 120kg heavier than the coupe at 1542kg, the Spyder is 0.2 sec slower to 100km/h at 3.4 sec, while it is 0.3 slower to 200km/h at a still blistering 10.2 sec.

Top speed is rated at 324km/h and claimed average fuel consumption is 12.3L//100km, the latter aided by new cylinder-on-demand and start-stop functions that will be added to the coupe’s engine for the 2016 model year.

Lamborghini is claiming the Huracan Spyder’s predominantly aluminium chassis is 40 per cent torsionally stiffer and offers 50 per cent more downforce than the old Gallardo convertible.

The Spyder has some bespoke styling flourishes including new buttresses behind the seats and air intakes and above the rear wheels in an attempt to diversify its look further from the coupe with the roof on or off.

Lamborghini claims the Spyder is almost as quiet as the coupe with the lightweight roof in place, while top-down buffeting is reduced by an electronically operated rear screen. Pop-up roll-over bars are hidden in the bodywork.