Lamborghini Huracan Spyder 2016 review

Spectacular supercar - for the elite, with a front and finances.

Now I know how a rock star feels. The paparazzi were ready every time I ventured out in a Lamborghini Huracan Spyder; speeding up, slowing down and changing lanes to photograph the boastful supercar from all angles.

And there are many angles. Aside from the edgy styling and flashy green coloring, there's something to look at... the design, inside and out, is entirely based on planes and hexagonal shapes.

It's a wilder relative of the Audi R8, so the 5.2-liter V10 hides behind the seats, paired with a well-calibrated seven-speed dual-clutch "automatic" with all-wheel drive, saving you $470,800 invested in bitumen.

The V10 engine is naturally aspirated, so it rewards—physically and acoustically—by spinning the top of the tachometer, which hits 8500 rpm.

Physical performance is really fast at 3.4 seconds from standstill to 100 km/h, and Spyder carbon-ceramic brake discs keep speed down. The acoustics are outrageous, thanks to a tiny rear window that can be flipped up or down to amplify the roar of the Raging Bull.

While there isn't much room in the cabin, access is more elegant than in some supercars.

Inside the luxurious and well-finished cabin, bespoke switchgear from Lamborghini and Audi blend in. Audi's stuff is kept low and mostly out of sight, allowing toggle-style switches to dominate the dash.

The seats are excellent, and despite not having much room inside, they are accessed more elegantly than in some supercars.

On the way to

This Spyder doesn't so much sneak up on you as it drums its way towards you. It's pure theatrics, from the looks to the guttural growl of the exhaust pipes, even at idle.

The fabric roof folds and lifts in 18 seconds (at speeds up to 50 km/h, for those who are not afraid of gusts of wind).

The Spyder can be driven fairly comfortably at city speeds, provided the "anima" button at the base of the steering wheel is in the "strada" (road) position and you remember to turn on the toggle switch, which raises the nose 40mm.

In this mode, the throttle requires more pressure to force wild acceleration and has automatic upshifts from 60km/h, dampening the exhaust note to a level that doesn't bounce off storefronts and cause them to vibrate.

Switch to Corsa (race) and it's a bull that reacts accordingly.

Even with the front raised, caution is required when driving over speed bumps and uneven roadways. The nose drops automatically at 70 km/h and from that point on the chin is as thick as a decent woolen carpet away from the road. Looks amazing but needs to be handled with care on some of our dirtiest patches of tarmac.

Find the right patch of pavement, turn on Sport mode to boost drivetrain, engine response and stability control, and the Huracan Spyder is almost as fast and accurate as its coupe counterpart.

The ride is shaky from the increased pace, but the front wheels continue to follow where they're pointed, and corner-exit acceleration is so exhilarating that you'd expect — and demand — from a $471,000 supercar.

Switch to Corsa (race) and this is the bull that reacts accordingly. It charges to the limiter and some quick action of the large paddle shifters is required to avoid a soft-off in the first pair of gears.

Lamborghini adds 120kg in the form of a soft top and associated chassis reinforcement, increasing the 0-km/h time to 100 seconds.

Add to that a set of track-specific brakes and a composite chassis that increases dry weight to 1542kg and you have all the components for a very fast machine, plus the extra party trick of letting in the sunshine.

Lambo reckons the extensive aerodynamic work keeps the wind out, making talking at speed bearable.

Sleek styling also means the baby supercar is capable of a top speed of 324 km/h with the top up or down.

Only a select few Australians will have the front and finances to join the Huracan Spyder set.

They will see the Lamborghini at its most daring and they must love this adventure.

When it comes to this car, unlike all the other convertibles that have been in the CarsGuide garage, violets should not be applied.

What news

Price - The privilege of going up or down at the top costs $42,800 more than the equivalent Huracan coupe. At $470,800, the Spyder is still significantly cheaper than its main competitor, the $488 Ferrari Spyder.

Technologies A high-resolution "digital cockpit" pioneered by Audi is at the wheel, albeit with brighter Lambo-inspired displays than ever.

Performance “Fast enough to get booked or confiscated before the car is out of second gear. From zero to 200 km/h, it takes 10.2 seconds.

Driving - Incredibly fast and loud, the Lambo can't be learned on Australian roads, even on the Northern Territory sections without restrictions. The all-wheel drive provides some serious traction, and that tenacity translates into a decent acceleration zone if you push the limits.

Design “Equally mobile art, like a car, the Spyder takes the same approach to corners that a Ferrari takes to curves. Hexagons have an obvious impact and extend to details such as hex vents.

Which would you prefer: the Spyder or the hardtop version? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Click here for more pricing and specs for the 2016 Lamborghini Huracan.