What is it?
It’s Lamborghini’s take on the road-going race car, like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Ford GT or McLaren Senna. STO stands for Super Trofeo Omologata, which is the Italian brand’s way of drawing a direct connection between this road-legal Huracán and the one-make Super Trofeo racer and even its GT3 machine.
We’ve already been lucky enough to test the Huracán STO on the track but as the whole point of this car is that you can get it numberplates, we needed to sample it on the road.
Does it have any racing pedigree?
The STO is all about its racing pedigree. Lamborghini has tried to design a car that conforms to road rules while bringing as many elements from the Huracán Super Trofeo and GT3 as possible.
That means the STO is rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive and has a completely unique body which has been honed by the racetrack and the windtunnel.
What’s under the bonnet?
It’s the same 5.2-litre V10 found in the rest of the range but for the STO it’s tuned to make 470kW of power and 565Nm of torque, which is actually less pulling power than the Huracán Evo (which makes 470kW and 600Nm). The reason for this new engine tune is down to the switch to the rear-wheel drive layout, allowing the rear tyres (as enormous as they are) to better transmit all that grunt to the tarmac.
And trust me when I say, you won’t miss those 35Nm. The STO absolutely flies, the acceleration is intense, rocketing from 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.0 seconds and taking just 9.0 seconds to get to 200km/h. It feels every millisecond that quick, with an almost immediate forward surge anytime you stand on the accelerator.
It feels even faster thanks to the noise. At a time when the Huracán’s rivals are switching to hybrid power (and its successor is expected to as well) the scream of this V10 engine is something special and worth savouring. It’s impossible to put into words just how glorious this engine sounds but from the cabin you do feel like you’re in a race car.
How does it handle?
This was one area we didn’t get to fully explore on our track drive because Phillip Island was drenched in one of its trademark rain showers the day we were there. Thankfully the skies were clear this time around and we were able to get a representative experience of what the STO is capable of.
And it is capable of a lot.
There are a lot of cars these days that claim to be ‘race inspired’ but really aren’t. The Huracán STO is not one of those. Lamborghini completely redesigned the aerodynamics of this car, including an all-new clamshell bonnet, unique front and rear guards and the unmissable rear wing.
The result is a car that turns with absolute precision and an immediacy that few supercars can match. The STO turns so sharply that you actually need to adjust your driving style to get the most out of the car.
Where the STO feels a little over-the-top is anytime you’re not driving it hard. This is a car designed for the racetrack, not the school run. So the low speed ride is firm and the cabin is noisy, even with the engine running at low rpm.
Where would you most like to drive it?
As impressive as it is on the road the Huracán STO really needs a racetrack to enjoy it. But that’s the beauty of this car, compared to opting for a Super Trofeo or a Huracán GT3 – you can drive it to the track, have some fun and then drive home without needing any tow trucks, transporters or a race crew.
What’s the interior like?
Like the rest of the Huracán line-up the STO offers an excellent blend of Italian design with the reliability and user-friendliness that comes from the company’s Audi owners. Every element of the design looks and feels like a true Lamborghini, right down to the switchgear.
The STO takes things to the next level with hard floor coverings, like a race car, and unique seats. Unfortunately, these seats (which are the only ones available to Australian customers) are too high for my 180cm frame. I found myself hunching when I drove to get some clear space between my head and the roof, and it reminded me of how cramped it felt on the track with a helmet added to the equation. Ideally a new, lower seat would be a great option for taller owners.
How much does the Lamborghini Huracán STO cost?
The official price is $596,000 plus on-road costs, but if you’re trying to buy one now you’re about two years too late. The STO was revealed way back in early 2021 so every Australian bound example is officially spoken for. Instead, you’ll need to look on the used market, where low kays examples are already asking for well above retail price.
Would I buy one?
Even if I could, I’m not sure I would. A Huracán Super Trofeo is actually cheaper, even more so now you have to pay a premium, and the STO isn’t exactly a supercar you can ‘daily’ unlike the less-extreme Huracán Evo.
Given you’ll be paying about the same money to get both a Huracán Evo and a Super Trofeo to find an STO, I think I’d prefer to go for the two-car option and maximise both ends of the spectrum.
