Deal Killer?

Hardly. Just look at our test numbers.

With the same 630 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque as the STO being routed through the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to the rear tires, the Tecnica matches the STO's acceleration to 60 mph (2.8 seconds) and beats it to the quarter mile by 0.1 second and 2.2 mph. Lacking race-level downforce presents as a double-edged sword here. The lower-drag Tecnica can beat the STO to higher speeds. Once at those higher speeds, however, it lacks the STO's more sure-footed feel, as its spoilers aren't pressing it into the pavement as hard.

Lower-speed handling isn't impacted as much by the Tecnica's lower downforce, with our test car notching a 96-foot stop from 60 mph and 1.09 g (average) on our skidpad, just 1 foot longer and 0.05 g behind the STO's performances. Just 0.3 second separates the Tecnica from the STO on our figure-eight lap—22.6 seconds at an average 0.94 g versus the STO's 22.3 at 0.99 g. More impressive is how close these data points are despite the Technica weighing just shy of 100 pounds more. These figures place the Tecnica in heady company, among the twin-turbo McLaren 720S (which we've tested) and the Ferrari 296 GTB (whose performance estimates line up with the Lambo's).

Ferociously … Friendly?

Unless you spend your commute cornering at well above highway speeds, the 2023 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica gives up little to its STO counterpart. In fact, the slightly relaxed limits let you play around with the Lambo more at regular paces. Go ahead, step the tail out a little exiting that tight bend; the Bridgestones along with Lamborghini's imperceptible rear-wheel steering work together to deliver progressive rear-end breakaway. For a wedge-shaped supercar with so much power delivered to only half its wheels, the Tecnica is almost shockingly approachable, with its clearly telegraphed limits available for exploration rather than being vague barriers to trip over and get into trouble with.

Yes, you must respect the V-10's full might. And definitely pay attention to the temperature or lack thereof in the near-slick tires. But provided the car and you are warmed up and it isn't snowing outside, you can spend all day simply going faster and faster. The STO offered a similar experience but left your head buzzing from the noise, while the rest of your body felt as if it went through a rock tumbler. The Tecnica keeps the STO's best parts and blends them with a smoother, quieter ride and a little extra high-speed edge. We'd say it even looks better without all the STO's wings 'n' things, but Lamborghini's latest restyle of the Huracán clutters up a lot of the clean, angular surfacing that gave earlier models more appeal. The X-shaped front end, in particular, is laid on pretty thick.

Our only other complaints? Some narrower-bodied drivers on our staff found the front seats weren't supportive enough, as the wide backrests allow torsos to slide left to right in hard driving. And like in the STO, the Strada (street) drive mode and automatic gear selection are too lazy even for, well, street driving. Every time we flipped the missile-arming-style door on the center console and pushed the starter button, our next hand movements were to the "M" manual-mode button below it, and then to the steering wheel drive mode switch, which we thumbed to the Sport setting (or, if on track, Corsa mode).

If you missed out on the STO, the 2023 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica is now the one to buy. Even if you didn't miss out, it's still the Huracán to buy—unless you want to go off-road, in which case, have you seen the new Huracán Sterrato? Maybe Lamborghini isn't killing the Huracán so soon after all …

2023 Lamborghini Huracan LP 640-2 (Tecnica) Specifications
BASE PRICE	$244,795
PRICE AS TESTED	$332,095
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Mid-engine, RWD, 2-pass, 2-door coupe
ENGINE	5.2L port- and direct-injected DOHC 40-valve 90-degree V-10
POWER (SAE NET)	630 hp @ 8,000 rpm
TORQUE (SAE NET)	417 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm
TRANSMISSION	7-speed twin-clutch auto
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	3,470 lb (41/59%)
WHEELBASE	103.2 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	179.8 x 76.1 x 45.9 in
0-60 MPH	2.8 sec
QUARTER MILE	10.6 sec @ 134.5 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	96 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	1.09 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	22.6 sec @ 0.94 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	13/18/15 mpg
EPA RANGE, COMB	317 miles
ON SALE	Now