Lamborghini’s new Huracán LP 610-4 burst onto the scene a year ago and immediately impressed us with its stunning looks, screaming V-10 engine and precision handling. Now the lineup is being expanded with a convertible in the form of the Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder, revealed today ahead of an official debut tomorrow at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show.

The car's roof is an automated soft-top similar to the one on the previous Gallardo Spyder, which this model directly replaces. The roof is available in three different colors—black, brown and red—and fits nicely into the Spyder’s silhouette while up. At the push of a button, it folds away neatly in a compartment behind the seats in just 17 seconds. And it’s been designed to operate at speeds of up to 31 mph.

The rear window can be raised or lowered, regardless of whether the roof is up or down. When the roof is down, this window continues to serve as a rear windshield. An integrated duct helps to reduce turbulence during open top driving, and for additional comfort there is a removable wind guard on either side of the cabin. Last but not least, two new fins help to channel air flow to the engine.

That engine, by the way, is identical to the one in the coupe. It’s a 5.2-liter V-10 delivering 601 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. The only transmission remains a seven-speed dual-clutch unit. Lamborghini quotes a 0-62 mph time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 201 mph for the Huracán Spyder.

Lamborghini hasn’t mentioned any modifications to the chassis, which combines aluminum components front and rear with extensive carbon fiber elements in the passenger cell. More aluminum is used for the exterior shell. The quoted dry weight of the car is 3,399 lbs.

The new convertible option isn’t the only change being made to the Huracán lineup. For the 2016 model year, all Huracán models receive a cylinder-deactivation system that shuts off one bank of the engine during light load situations. To further reduce consumption, the cars also come with an engine stop-start system.

“The Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder is the next chapter in the success story of the naturally aspirated V-10 Huracán, and continues a Lamborghini tradition of open air motoring,” Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said at the reveal. “Its predecessor, the Gallardo Spyder, was the best-selling open top model in Lamborghini’s history—we expect the Huracán Spyder to exceed its predecessor in every way.

Automobili Lamborghini presents the new Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder at Frankfurt International Motor Show. The open top version of the Huracán LP 610-4 combines the power and performance of the coupé with the emotion of open-air driving.

"The Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder is the next chapter in the success story of the naturally aspirated V10 Huracán, and continues a Lamborghini tradition of open air motoring," says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. "The Huracán Spyder combines the innovation, performance and appeal of the Huracán coupé, with new technologies and an added emotional dimension. Its predecessor, the Gallardo Spyder, was the best-selling open top model in Lamborghini's history: we expect the Huracán Spyder to exceed its predecessor in every way."

The new Huracán Spyder stands for inspiring technology, outstanding quality and breathtaking performance. Luxurious comfort with a pure and dynamic design ensures the convertible version of the Huracán is an iconic Lamborghini in its own right. Its lightweight, electrohydraulic soft top gives the new Lamborghini a distinctive presence with roof both open and closed, and maximum comfort for driver and passenger with uncompromising handling and performance.

The naturally aspirated 5.2l V10 engine produces 449 kW / 610 hp. The new Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 324 km/h (201 mph). The Spyder also includes new technical features of the 2016 model year Huracán family, including 'cylinder on demand' in combination with 'stop start', and a new electronically controlled all-wheel drive set-up for even improved driving behavior.

Lamborghini is adding a rear-wheel-drive model to its Huracán lineup, which already includes the LP 610-4 that the car was launched with and the LP 610-4 Spyder that we just saw at the recent Frankfurt Auto Show. The rear-wheel-drive model makes its debut tomorrow at the Los Angeles Auto Show and is officially known as the Huracán LP 580-2.

Apart from the rear-wheel-drive configuration, the drivetrain in the Huracán LP 580-2 is pretty much identical to what you find in the LP 610-4 models. You get a 5.2-liter V-10 mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, though performance from the engine has been tamed slightly. As its name suggests, the Huracán LP 580-2 comes with 580 metric horsepower, or 572 regular horses, which is down from the 601 hp in the LP 610-4 models. Peak torque is also down, registering at 398 pound-feet instead of 413 lb-ft.

Before you start complaining, note that weight has also been reduced. Thanks to the removal of the all-wheel-drive system, the Huracán LP 580-2 has a dry weight of 3,062 lb—a saving of 73 lb. This leads to a 40:60 front-rear weight distribution. Performance figures include a 0-62 mph time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph, which is 0.2 seconds and 3 mph slower, respectively, than the figures for the LP 610-4 models.

But while slower, expect the Huracán LP 580-2 to be more fun. That’s because the car gets stiffer suspension, refined steering and re-calibration of the electronic stability and traction control systems aimed at improving feel for the driver. The selectable Lamborghini driving modes STRADA, SPORT and CORSA have also been tuned to make oversteering easier, emphasizing authentic rear-wheel-drive behavior.

Visually setting apart this car are new bumpers. The large, newly formed front air intakes specifically direct the cooling air and headwind to increase down pressure on the front axle. The spoiler lip at the rear works together with the rising diffuser in the underbody to improve airflow around the rear of the car and remove the need for a movable rear spoiler. The car also sports unique 19-inch wheels (20-in wheels are available).

While rear-wheel-drive versions of the previous Gallardo were positioned as the entry-level option, with the Huracán LP 580-2 we’re likely to see a slight premium in pricing over the LP 610-4 model.

Automobili Lamborghini presents the Lamborghini Huracán rear-wheel drive Spyder, combining the lifestyle appeal of the convertible with the pure on-road experience of the Huracán’s rear-wheel drive technologies.

“The rear-wheel drive Spyder enlarges the Huracán family’s core product range,” says Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali. “It offers the lifestyle appeal of open-air motoring with the pure thrill of rear-wheel drive engineering. This is a Lamborghini for those with a passion for life and the purest driving experience on the open road. It’s also a Huracán for those entering the Lamborghini family, wanting a true Spyder experience without compromising on the performance and dynamic handling of a rear-wheel drive car.”

The rear-wheel drive Huracán Spyder features a newly designed front and rear with a dynamic but more aggressive look distinguishing it from the four-wheel drive version. Its naturally aspirated V10 5.2 l engine sends 426 kW / 580 hp to the rear axle, with its dry weight of just 1,509 kg providing a weight-to-power ratio of 2.6 kg/hp. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is achieved in 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 319 km/h.

The rear-wheel drive Spyder will be available in markets worldwide from January 2017, priced between the two and four-wheel drive coupe models and completing the core Huracán product range.

Soft-top design for a true Spyder

The front and rear of the car have been redesigned, with its dynamic good looks accented by the large front air intakes that direct cooling air and headwind to increase down pressure on the front axle. Pirelli PZero tires, exclusively developed for the rear-wheel drive Huracán, sit on 19” Kari rims. Specially contoured steel brakes with aluminum brake disc pots assist in weight reduction and improved cooling. Inside, the cockpit features the latest Lamborghini Infotainment System II with a 12.3” hi-res TFT instrument panel.

The latest addition to the Huracán family adopts the soft-top solution of a true Spyder, distinguishing the convertible from its coupe sibling through a unique profile, with roof both up and down. Opening and closing in just 17 seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h, the lightweight soft top is efficiently stowed to maintain the Spyder’s perfect center of gravity and highlight the dynamic design of the open car.

With the roof down, two distinctive fins rise out of the folding roof-casing to perfectly define the unique lines of the open car. Accenting the Huracán Spyder’s low, powerful appearance, the rear fins start at the seatbacks and continue the roof line to the rear, creating the Spyder’s flowing profile. The two fins contribute to optimizing airflow through the engine compartment, which is covered by a slatted engine bonnet specific to the Spyder.

An integrated duct reduces turbulence in the headroom during open top driving. With soft top both up and down the driver can also electronically open the rear window, which functions as a windshield when up and highlights the V10 engine’s unique sound when down. Two removable lateral windguards dampen lateral aerodynamic noise in the cabin, permitting conversations even at high speeds.

Engineered for rear-wheel drive performance

As it does in the rear-wheel drive Huracán coupe, the Spyder’s V10 5.2 l naturally aspirated, mid-mounted engine provides a maximum 426 kW (580 hp) power output at 8,000 rpm and 540 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, with 75% of torque already available at 1,000 rpm.

Like the coupe, the rear-wheel drive Spyder promises the thrill of two-wheel drive dynamics, roof up or down. Weighing 1,509 kg dry, the rear-wheel drive Huracán Spyder achieves a weight to power ratio of just 2.6 kg/hp. The Huracán’s exceptionally stiff hybrid aluminum and carbon fiber chassis is complemented by springs and anti-roll bars on double wishbone suspension, optimized for two-wheel drive. The power management system of the rear-wheel drive includes a specific steering set-up and recalibrated stability and traction controls, connecting the driver as directly as possible with the road. Weight distribution is biased 40% at the front / 60% at the rear, reducing inertia on the front axle compared to the Huracán 4WD version.

The Lamborghini Doppia Frizione (LDF) seven-speed dual clutch architecture ensures the fastest gear changes and includes ‘launch control’ for maximum acceleration from a standing start. The electronic power steering and optional Lamborghini Dynamic Steering (LDS) are tuned specifically for the rear-wheel drive Spyder, ensuring maximum agility and control in every driving condition, depending on driving mode and speed.

Rear kinematics heighten the car’s ‘centered’ feeling and the new Spyder features the Lamborghini Piattaforma Inerziale (LPI), the Huracán’s sensor system placed in the center of gravity of the car, tracing all 3D movements. It provides real time information to the optional Magneto Rheological Suspension (MRS), steering and stability control systems: the ESC has been regulated to adapt to all adherence conditions yet emphasize the rear-wheel drive behavior in each driving mode.

The ANIMA (Adaptive Network Intelligent Management: ‘soul’ in Italian) button on the steering wheel allows the driver to adopt different driving modes, calibrated to suit the spirit of the rear-wheel drive model. STRADA for daily use, SPORT for sporty driving fun, and CORSA for maximum track-oriented performance are tuned to provide over-steering characteristics, emphasizing authentic rear-wheel drive behavior.

As in all Huracán models, cylinder deactivation improves engine efficiency, reduces fuel consumption and reduces CO2. When full engine capacity is not required, five of the ten cylinders are temporarily deactivated by switching off one cylinder bank. When the driver accelerates, the system switches back instantaneously to ten-cylinder mode, with the changeover being virtually impossible to detect by the driver.