How to enjoy a N/A V10: buy a Huracan Evo RWD Spyder

It’s a mouthful of a name but can be easily simplified: here is the open-top version of the rear-drive only Huracan in latest Evo form. In other words the convertible version of what to many is the most involving and rewarding car that Lamborghini makes – and possibly one of the best ways to hear a normally-aspirated V10 yet invented.

In most ways apart from the missing roof it’s a dead ringer for the Evo RWD coupe, the version that in most testers’ eyes showed just how good a car the Huracan had evolved into. The Huracan has always been fast and dramatic looking – it’s a Lambo, of course it is – but with no driveshafts to the front wheels and less weight, the already much-improved Evo came alive: less digital, more analogue and more fun.

There is always a risk that chopping off a roof will take the handling shine off things and the Spyder does weigh in at a hefty 120kg more than its coupe equivalent, putting back almost four times as much weight as the RWD version saves. At 1,509kg (versus the coupe’s 1,389kg) the RWD Spyder is still in touch with what promises to be its biggest rival and light-weight champion, the McLaren 570S Spider (1,486kg).

How the extra weight affects ride and handling is yet to be seen, but in the performance stakes the RWD Spyder’s deficit to the coupe is two tenths of a second to 62mph (now 3.5s) and 1mph off hood-up top speed, at 201mph. Lamborghini says RWD Evo design cues including new front splitter and vertical wings within the air intakes, and gloss black bumper and new diffuser at the rear, not only set the new Spyder visually apart from the 4WD Spyder but also allow it to match the coupe’s drag and downforce profile without requiring additional aerodynamic appendages.

The electric soft-top sets no record for speed at 17 seconds – the Macca 720S Spider goes topless six seconds sooner, if that’s important to you – but it can be operated at 31mph and it does come in a range of colours. It is complemented by an electric rear screen wind/noise break that can be up when the hood is down.

Mechanically it’s the same as the coupe, with the 5.2-litre V10 bellowing out 610PS (602bhp) and 560Nm of torque to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and then to the rear wheels only. Weight distribution is 40:60 with traction further helped by a P-TCS traction control system recalibrated for what Lambo says is unfiltered physical feedback and maximum driver engagement, up to and including wild drift manoeuvres when requested via the Sport setting of the Anima driving mode selector on the steering wheel. Like the coupe, the brakes are ventilated and cross-drilled steel discs on 19-inch rims (carbon brakes and 20s optional) with Pirelli P Zero tyres.

Lambo chief Stefano Domenicali says of his firm’s latest creation that it delivers “raw driving pleasure”. He goes on: “The driver is perfectly in touch with Lamborghini’s engineering heritage, experiencing the feedback and engagement from the set-up of a rear-wheel-drive car where electronic intrusion is minimized, while enjoying the sense of freedom and spirit of life that only open-top driving provides.”

Add the ever-present Lamborghini visual drama, inside and out of the car, much more manageable dimensions for UK roads than fully-grown supercars, and there’s an argument that this is all the baby Lambo anyone ever needs, at a price including tax from £181,320. Order now and have one in time for the summer.