The evolutionary trend of super cars has witnessed a shift to greater comfort, refinement , daily usability and modern amenities. Emotion, unfortunately, has been the collateral damage to the grind of technological progress. Modern super cars are faster, more objectively capable yet the cars have replaced individual model personalities with a push towards conformity. For many car enthusiasts, this movement has been embraced with enthusiasm, while with others, not so much. The genesis and raison d'etre of high end sports cars was to create vehicles that ooze driver involvement and arouse the senses. Getting behind the wheel and starting the power plant would create a rush of excitement that signalled the commencement of a memorable journey.
This preamble is especially relevent in discussing the EVO RWD. Lamborghini has created a distinctive marque as a purveyor of uniquely and unmistakeable aesthetically stunning or at the very least, singularly provocative designs with driving dynamics to match. However, the latest V10 models- especially the 580 and the 610 have epitomized the modern trend discussed above which while attracting new adherents to the brand, have been proved disconcerting to devotees. In the quest to create greater technical capabilities and creature comforts, the magic has in the process been diluted. When I was seeking to replace my Balboni a few years ago with the Huracan, my first encounter with the 610 was a dramatic disappointment. While the car was undeniably superior on every objective metric, it noticeably was bereft of driver involvement. It was excessively compliant, and refined. I then experienced the 580 with passive suspension and was pleasantly surprised to the extent at how much it elevated the personal connection to the car. I subsequently purchased it and ultimately traded it for the Performante which represented the synthesis of objective superiority with thrilling driver dynamics.
Over this weekend I was offered an opportunity by the most accomodating, knowledgable, and customer service dedicated dealer- Grand Touring Uptown, to experience the EVO RWD. Within a few moments of the drive, I was stunned at the dramatic difference of this car to the EVO AWD model. While the AWD was extremely capable , fast, with precise handling and grip, it is in essence a tamer Performante. The RWD is a completely different animal. Think of it as the younger sibling of the Performante. Not nearly as accomplished and matured but with a huge personality, boisterous and the life of the party. The RWD is all about thrills, and excitement. Driving it with gusto is invigorating, exhilirating and adrenaline inducing. There is the absence of adaptive dampers, LDS and the brakes are steel. Yet, the suspension, which is firm, provides tactile feedback to allow the driver to experience exactly what the road surface offers. The braking is linear, smoothly modulating to the driver's command. The steering, at higher speeds is direct and uncannily weighted so that it is neither heavy nor too light. Point the car in the intended direction and it will obey like a military trained German Shepherd. And then there is the sound! It has gravitas, plays at high SPLs with a baritone authority. It is an aural symphony with a melifuous sound unmatched by any other current car. To fully appreciate this quality, revs need to be kept at 4-5K. For those who wish to calm the beast, earlier shifting will accomplish the task. Downshifting results in a fireworks display of pops. As for sound volume. Imagine a potentiometer that controls sound pressure levels with demarkations from 0-10 ( being the loudest). The 720S would be a 3. The Ferrari 488 a 6. The EVO RWD is an 11.
The RWD is alive, raw, yet still civilzed if you wish it to be. Driving in STRATA in auto mode will turn this tiger into a domestic pussy cat. Appropriate when driving in heavy traffic or when warming the engine. Otherwise, you should be sentenced to jail if this car is not driven in Sport or Race- manual. Technically, the RWD is not as capable of the AWD. Upon launch, the rear wheels will spin and the rear end will become skittish and squirrelly. It will also, at times, slightly stutter upon take off but will recover quickly. Grip at high speeds and during hard corning will have a slight tendency to slide. But the overwhelming glory of this car is the fun factor. It is so extremely engaging and compelling, that it takes the driving experience to an exalted level.
For those who own a 580 or a 610, drop everything and rush over to your Lamborhini dealer and arrange a trade for the EVO RWD. Get ready for the hairs on the back of your neck to stand at attention and goose bumps to trickle down your spine as you gasp for breath and an ear to ear grin appears on your face.
This preamble is especially relevent in discussing the EVO RWD. Lamborghini has created a distinctive marque as a purveyor of uniquely and unmistakeable aesthetically stunning or at the very least, singularly provocative designs with driving dynamics to match. However, the latest V10 models- especially the 580 and the 610 have epitomized the modern trend discussed above which while attracting new adherents to the brand, have been proved disconcerting to devotees. In the quest to create greater technical capabilities and creature comforts, the magic has in the process been diluted. When I was seeking to replace my Balboni a few years ago with the Huracan, my first encounter with the 610 was a dramatic disappointment. While the car was undeniably superior on every objective metric, it noticeably was bereft of driver involvement. It was excessively compliant, and refined. I then experienced the 580 with passive suspension and was pleasantly surprised to the extent at how much it elevated the personal connection to the car. I subsequently purchased it and ultimately traded it for the Performante which represented the synthesis of objective superiority with thrilling driver dynamics.
Over this weekend I was offered an opportunity by the most accomodating, knowledgable, and customer service dedicated dealer- Grand Touring Uptown, to experience the EVO RWD. Within a few moments of the drive, I was stunned at the dramatic difference of this car to the EVO AWD model. While the AWD was extremely capable , fast, with precise handling and grip, it is in essence a tamer Performante. The RWD is a completely different animal. Think of it as the younger sibling of the Performante. Not nearly as accomplished and matured but with a huge personality, boisterous and the life of the party. The RWD is all about thrills, and excitement. Driving it with gusto is invigorating, exhilirating and adrenaline inducing. There is the absence of adaptive dampers, LDS and the brakes are steel. Yet, the suspension, which is firm, provides tactile feedback to allow the driver to experience exactly what the road surface offers. The braking is linear, smoothly modulating to the driver's command. The steering, at higher speeds is direct and uncannily weighted so that it is neither heavy nor too light. Point the car in the intended direction and it will obey like a military trained German Shepherd. And then there is the sound! It has gravitas, plays at high SPLs with a baritone authority. It is an aural symphony with a melifuous sound unmatched by any other current car. To fully appreciate this quality, revs need to be kept at 4-5K. For those who wish to calm the beast, earlier shifting will accomplish the task. Downshifting results in a fireworks display of pops. As for sound volume. Imagine a potentiometer that controls sound pressure levels with demarkations from 0-10 ( being the loudest). The 720S would be a 3. The Ferrari 488 a 6. The EVO RWD is an 11.
The RWD is alive, raw, yet still civilzed if you wish it to be. Driving in STRATA in auto mode will turn this tiger into a domestic pussy cat. Appropriate when driving in heavy traffic or when warming the engine. Otherwise, you should be sentenced to jail if this car is not driven in Sport or Race- manual. Technically, the RWD is not as capable of the AWD. Upon launch, the rear wheels will spin and the rear end will become skittish and squirrelly. It will also, at times, slightly stutter upon take off but will recover quickly. Grip at high speeds and during hard corning will have a slight tendency to slide. But the overwhelming glory of this car is the fun factor. It is so extremely engaging and compelling, that it takes the driving experience to an exalted level.
For those who own a 580 or a 610, drop everything and rush over to your Lamborhini dealer and arrange a trade for the EVO RWD. Get ready for the hairs on the back of your neck to stand at attention and goose bumps to trickle down your spine as you gasp for breath and an ear to ear grin appears on your face.