What is it?
I am fortunate to have been able to drive all manner of exotic sports cars, including several variants of the Lamborghini Huracan. The epitome of extreme Italian sports cars, the Huracan has a mean, aggressive look and the power and performance to match. But one Huracan stands out from all the others, designed for high performance on or off the road. That would be the unique Huracan Sterrato. I may be a somewhat jaded auto journalist, but to say I was excited about spending time in this off-road supercar was a major understatement. I was not disappointed.

New Driving Thrills
“With the high-speed all-terrain concept of the Sterrato, we have uniquely combined the driving experience of a true sports car and the fun of driving a rally car,” said Rouven Mohr, Lamborghini Chief Technical Officer. “Lamborghini cars always deliver emotion; the Sterrato delivers a new degree of driving thrills.”

What I Drove
Lamborghini provided me with a Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato, painted in the eye-catching Arancio Xanto. The option list was quite extensive, including the special Sterrato livery, Sport Seats, carbon ceramic brakes, 19-inch forged Morus wheels, matt black crossbars, and a fire extinguisher. The total MSRP was $384,394, including the $3,695 destination charge and $2,100 gas guzzler tax.

Muscular Looks
The Lamborghini Huracan has a distinct presence—one look at its wide stance, low hood, and sleek shape that flows seamlessly from the tip of the nose to the rear spoiler, and you know it’s built for high-speed performance. The Sterrato takes that athletic look and bulks up like it’s been working out. Adding to the aggressive stance is the Sterrato’s raised ground clearance.

Unique Elements
The Sterrato is the first Huracan built to leave the pavement (intentionally), and the unique styling elements are designed to protect and enhance during off-road excursions. Up front, the large air intakes have protective grilles, and there are underbody aluminum protective plates. Bright running lights attached to the front help illuminate the way forward and make it look very cool.

Extra Protection
Wheel arches get extra cladding that protects the car from rocks and dust and gives the Sterrato a bold look. The updated rear diffuser also helps reduce dust accumulation, while mud flaps (yes, mud flaps on a Lamborghini) and extended side sills help prevent rock chips. A roof scoop keeps clean air coming into the engine, away from the dust and dirt.

Custom Bridgestone Tires
When creating a supercar that needs to deliver extreme performance both on and off the pavement, the right tires play a significant role. For the Huracan Sterrato, Lamborghini teamed up with Bridgestone to develop a special tire specifically for this unique Lamborghini. The result was the Bridgestone Dueler AT002, made with an advanced compound with a unique pattern designed to provide proper grip without diminishing high-speed performance. The tires also have run-flat technology and can drive about 50 miles with a puncture.

V10 Power
Powering the Huracan Sterrato is Lamborghini’s 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 engine, putting out 602 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The Sterrato can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.4 seconds, and in 9.8 seconds it is going 124 mph. Top speed is limited to 162 mph (260 km/h).

Fuel Economy
The Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato is an amazing machine capable of incredible performance in a range of conditions; however, fuel economy is not its forte. According to the EPA, the Sterrato is rated at 13 mpg city / 18 mpg hwy / 15 mpg combined. During my drive, the trip computer indicated 13.9 mpg – not stellar, but not unexpected.

Inner space
The Huracan Sterrato’s cabin is replete with high-quality materials, with almost every surface covered in carbon fiber or Alcantara. Floor mats are made from aluminum, and there’s contrasting stitching throughout the cabin. Like other Huracans, the Sterrato features a start button under a red cover – starting it feels like you’re about to launch a missile.

Seats
Adding to the sporty nature of the Sterrato are the sport seats with carbon fiber shells, substantial bolsters, and integrated headrests for excellent support and comfort. Seats feature multiple adjustments with manual controls, and the tire-tread design going up the middle of the seat is a nice touch. Contrasting piping and stitched “Sterrato” on the side bolsters, along with the Lamborghini logo on the headrests, add to the overall appeal.

Infotainment
The infotainment system display screen is not large, but it is well laid out and easily accessible. There are no physical controls for audio, navigation, or climate functions – everything is operated through the display screen. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available, and surprisingly, when I plugged my Samsung Galaxy S23+ into the USB port (located behind the seats), Android Auto just appeared with no request to load it.

Rear View
Perhaps the biggest issue with the Sterrato is the view to the rear. There is a rearview mirror, but all you can see is the engine cover – there is no way to see out the rear window. This would be an ideal situation for a digital rearview mirror, but my vehicle was not so equipped. However, when the car is in reverse, there is a rear camera view, which certainly helps.

Start Me Up
The Huracan Sterrato has a look that will get any enthusiast’s heart racing – climbing in and hitting that start button just amps up the reaction. The roar of that big V10 is intoxicating, from inside or outside.

On the Road
Heading out of Dexter, Michigan (west of Detroit) towards my favorite back roads that take me to Hell (Michigan) and back, the Huracan was surprisingly docile and easy to drive. Throttle response is smooth and predictable, making this exotic easy to drive at slow speeds or in traffic. Unlike driving most exotic supercars, I didn’t have to worry about speed bumps or curbs – the Huracan has the ground clearance to eliminate any concerns.

Excellent Performance
Once the roads opened up, I put my right foot down, and the Huracan launched like it had been stung. Not only is acceleration strong and immediate, but speed builds at an alarming rate. I’m sure my eyes were as wide as my smile as I was shoved back into the seat.

Great Handling
I was concerned that the Huracan Sterrato’s handling would suffer with off-road tires instead of high-speed performance rubber, but it never became an issue. The grip was excellent, and while I pushed the Huracan hard in the corners, the car stayed flat and stable, delivering a confident and thrilling ride.

In The Dirt
While I didn’t have the opportunity to drive the Huracan like a rally car down a dirt trail, I did venture down many of the unpaved roads in Southeast Michigan. Not only does the Sterrato provide excellent grip thanks to the unique Bridgestone tires and all-wheel drive, but it handles the rough terrain without the ride being jarring. The Huracan Sterrato would have been perfectly at home to cruise on dirt roads all day, and that’s not something I ever thought I would say about a 600-plus horsepower supercar.

Swan Song
Lamborghini has already announced that the Huracan will be replaced next year by the all-new Temerario. With a powerful hybrid powertrain and all-new styling, the Temerario will be better than the Huracan in almost every way. But as the last Huracan I’m likely to drive, the Sterrato will stand out as one of the most exciting – and unusual – sports cars I’ve ever experienced. For those with the means and opportunity, the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato is an exceptional choice among supercars.

The post Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato Review: The Ultimate Off-Road Super Car appeared first on autoNXT.net.