The Temerarios lining up at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ont.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Lamborghini axed plans earlier this year to introduce its first all-electric vehicle, which was initially slated for 2028. Meanwhile, exotic rivals went ahead, with Ferrari unveiling its first EV – the Luce – in May.
“Our focus has never been on reacting to competitors,” Stephan Winkelmann, chief executive officer and chair of Automobili Lamborghini, said in June after an exclusive, closed-door event showcasing two new high-performance vehicles in Modena, Italy.
Instead of pure electric vehicles, the luxury Italian automaker is focusing on hybrids.
“What we are seeing today is that the pace of electrification differs significantly from one market to another,” said Winkelmann. “Regulations are evolving, customer expectations are evolving and our responsibility is to remain flexible without compromising Lamborghini’s DNA.”
In other words, the car can’t be fully electric because it has to perform well – Lamborghini customers still want high-performance vehicles.
Currently, Lamborghini’s lineup consists entirely of plug-in hybrids: its flagship V12 Revuelto, the twin-turbo V8 Temerario – which replaces the Huracan – and its best-selling Urus SE SUV.
The modern cabin includes a new 8.4-inch centre screen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 9.1-inch passenger display with crisper graphics.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The Temerario has 907 horsepower and 1,106 lb-ft of torquePetrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Reducing emissions plays a part, but electric motors allow for greater performance, which remains a top priority for the brand. Lamborghini recently unveiled its quickest and most powerful production vehicle to date, the 2027 Revuelto Super Veloce – Italian for super fast – as well as the 2027 Urus SE Performante SUV, the fastest Urus ever built.
Winkelmann said Lamborghini customers aren’t ready for pure EVs. Hybridization is the right solution today because it delivers what customers want – more performance, better driving dynamics and lower emissions.
To test that philosophy, I recently got behind the wheel of a 2026 Lamborghini Temerario at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ont. At the heart of this raging bull is a new four-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with three electric motors and all-wheel drive. Together, they deliver 907 horsepower and 1,106 lb-ft of torque.
With a bold shark nose, short overhangs and large air intakes on its body, it’s instantly recognizable as a Lamborghini.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
A new spaceframe chassis gives the Temerario more interior space than its predecessor.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
When the Temerario first debuted as the successor to Lamborghini’s legendary Huracan and its iconic, naturally aspirated V10 engine, critics initially complained. But sentiments are slowly changing. I understood why after a few laps behind the wheel of a menacing Verde Mercurius, or green, Temerario fitted with the new Alleggerita package, which means lightweight in Italian.
With lighter interior elements, carbon rims, a titanium muffler, recycled carbon fibre underbody panels and lightweight glass, the package reduces the base Temerario’s weight by more than 25 kilograms. This makes it more exhilarating and fun while tearing around the track in the Corsa, or race, and new Performance driving modes.
Nail the throttle and you’re thrown back into your seat – the torque from the electric motors is instant. While the official numbers are zero to 100 kilometres an hour in 2.7 seconds, it feels faster. Hitting nearly 250 kilometres an hour on the long straightaways and almost 150 kilometres an hour in the corners was no match for the Temerario.
At high speeds or cornering quickly, it was stable and well-planted. On sharp turns, the vehicle was balanced with little body roll. Shifting through the eight gears using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel was quick and smooth. The handling was razor-sharp; the steering inputs were instant and responsive.
There’s no question – the driving dynamics and braking have improved over its predecessor. Another surprising highlight was the exhaust sound. When pushed toward its 10,000-rpm redline, the engine growls fiercely in true Lamborghini form.
“We are more committed to electrification as a PHEV or HEV than a full BEV because we don’t see from a technical point of view the capability and performance of that vehicle,” Davide Bizzarri, Lamborghini’s head of vehicle motion and energy management, said after my laps.
“We still don’t believe in terms of power-to-weight ratio, the technology of fully BEV, from a sustained performance standpoint is the best one. You can buy a cheap electric car and the acceleration is a commodity – you get it straightaway. But what you don’t get is the performance on the track because the car is too heavy.”
I agree – the Temerario’s twin-turbo V8 and electric motors give it an edge over its predecessor, the Huracan, and make saying goodbye to Lamborghini’s iconic, naturally aspirated V10 engine a little easier.
The Temerario is a PHEV, but with only eight kilometres of all-electric range.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Looks
Clean, athletic and unapologetically Lamborghini in its design. With a bold shark nose, short overhangs and large air intakes on its body, it’s instantly recognizable as a Lamborghini. The Alleggerita package adds lightweight and aerodynamic design touches, as well as the cool Verde Mercurius colour that makes it look snake-like at first sight.
Interior
The modern cabin includes a new 8.4-inch centre screen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 9.1-inch passenger display with crisp, 3D graphics, animations and widgets. A new spaceframe chassis also gives the Temerario more interior space than its predecessor, complemented by comfortable, supportive 18-way adjustable heated and ventilated seats.
Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Performance
Who needs V10 power? The Temerario’s twin-turbo V8 and electric motors do not disappoint. Exciting to drive and powerful, it also offers 13 driving settings. A red rotor on the left-hand side is used to select between Città, Strada, Sport, Corsa and Corsa Plus – where electronic stability controls are deactivated – while a rotor on the right lets you access three new plug-in hybrid modes: Recharge, Hybrid and Performance. It only offers about eight kilometres of electric range.
Technology
There’s more cutting-edge technology compared to the previous Huracan. Advanced connectivity features include over-the-air map updates and real-time traffic information, as well as a voice assistant and wireless smartphone connection via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety tech includes an active lane departure warning system and cruise control.
Cargo
Although there’s no traditional rear trunk, there is a 112-litre front trunk and extra space in the cabin behind the two seats for items such as a purse or gym bag.
The verdict
Who needs the power, performance and sound of a V10 engine? Lamborghini’s Temerario plug-in hybrid does not disappoint.
Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Tech specs
2026 Lamborghini Temerario
- Base price: $432,490 plus freight and pre-delivery inspection (approximately $5,000, depending on dealer and province); Allegerita Package starts at $483,950 plus freight and PDI
- Motor/battery: Four-litre twin-turbo V8 plus three electric motors – two in the front and one in the rear/3.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery
- Horsepower/torque (lb-ft): 907/1,106
- Drive: All-wheel drive
- Power consumption (NRCan ratings, Le/100 km)/charging capacity: 10.0 Le/100 km
- Charging time: 30 minutes (Level 2)
- Curb weight: 1,700 kilograms dry weight
- Range (claimed): Eight kilometres electric-only range
- Alternatives: Ferrari 296, McLaren 750S, Porsche 911 Turbo S
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