That the launch for the original Lamborghini Huracan Spyder took place in Miami said a lot about intentions for that car. It was a hopeless arena for testing a supercar, but as somewhere to look good in a drop-top Lambo nowhere beats South Beach. The suspicion was, too, that as a significantly heavier (by 125kg) model than the Coupe, the LP610-4 Spyder might have struggled to match the hardtop dynamically.
The suspicion remained when the Performante underwent the same treatment yet those concerns were soon confounded: here was a car every bit as thrilling as the coupe, perhaps even more so thanks to the open air above you. Heavier or not, the Performante Spyder was one hell of a supercar experience. Even in yellow with gold wheels...
And now here we are with latest Huracan Spyder - the EVO Rear-Wheel Drive Spyder. A car reputedly designed for "celebrating life in the open air", it picks up where the old LP580-2 Spyder left off, theoretically delivering the involvement and excitement of both rear-wheel drive and a folding roof.
Let's not forget, either, that this refreshed, revised, rejuvenated Huracan EVO has been very well received thus far. Dan P described it as "so much more rewarding to drive at the limit that it feels like an altogether new model, rather than a mid-life overhaul" on the first drive a point substantiated by Sam's verdict on the EVO RWD Coupe "with such an evocative, exciting powertrain, enhanced front end agility and the moreishness of rear-wheel drive, it pushes down firmly on your adrenal gland." This is a 600hp+, mid-engined Lamborghini, then, one that was already pretty damn good in its original form, made better in every conceivable way when it comes to the half-term update.
Things bode pretty well for this Spyder even if the purists will still bemoan a dry kerbweight in excess of 1,500kg. CEO Stefano Domenicali says of the Spyder: "The Huracán EVO Rear-Wheel Drive Spyder doubles the driving fun, delivering raw driving pleasure with the opportunity to celebrate life outside." A lot of that raw driving pleasure, of course, will come from what the Spyder shares with the RWD: that 610hp, 413lb ft V10, resulting in 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and 201mph, as well as the spookily excellent dual-clutch 'box and bespoke chassis tuning to make the most of just two driven wheels. Lamborghini says the combination of V10, rear-drive, Performance Traction Control System - complete with Sport mode for "drifting fun" - and dynamic steering deliver an "instinctive driver's car", with "unfiltered physical feedback and maximum engagement". Which is promising.
As for where the two RWD Huracans differ, the Spyder's lightweight top can be erected or collapsed in 17 seconds at up to 31mph, apparently "as dynamic in both looks and performance whether roof on or off." Notably the Spyder does without any further aero bits over the coupe that are sometime required for cabrios, with drag and downforce said to be identical. And, of course, the hood comes in a whole variety of colour options to complement the rest of your Lamborghini.
For this self-proclaimed "driver's car and lifestyle choice", Lamborghini will charge customers £188,800 OTR, or £16,400 more than the EVO RWD Coupe. That puts it right in amongst some very talented rivals, notably the AMG GT R Roadster (from £186,975), the new 911 Turbo S Cabriolet (from £165,127) and even the Audi R8, which can cost more than £160k as a Carbon Black Spyder. It should be noted, too, that there are nearly new McLaren 600LT, the Ferrari Portofino and the Bentley Continental GTC all available at similar money - depending on taste, convertible supercar buyers really are spoilt for choice.
With Sant'Agata recommencing production this week, those who plump for the Huracan will take delivery of their Spyder at some point in the summer. Which sounds like one heck of a way to get reacquainted with the great outdoors, whenever that might be. Heavier and ever so slightly slower they may be, but nothing quite does unbridled exhilaration on four wheels like a Lamborghini Spyder. Expect a two-wheel drive one to deliver more of the same.
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