Lamborghini Temerario Super Trofeo Whets Our Appetite For RWD Temerario STO

Lamborghini unveiled the upcoming competition machine at the season-closing Lamborghini World Finals race at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. It's the sixth Super Trofeo model from the automaker's Squadra Corse customer racing division.

What Makes The Temerario Super Trofeo Special
Compared to the road-going Temerario, the Super Trofeo version is rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive. It packs a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 producing a total of 641 horsepower, and there's no longer hybrid assistance. The six-speed sequential gearbox comes from the company Hoer and is the same unit as the Temerario GT3 racer. Anti-lock brakes and 12-point adjustable traction control help the driver maintain control. The car's underpinnings include an ALU/CFK hybrid chassis with a fully integrated FIA-certified roll cage. Lamborghini is also touting the vehicle's Dinamica Infinity upholstery. The material is the world’s first 100% PES mono-component non-woven suede for automotive applications.

"The Temerario Super Trofeo is the ultimate expression of our ‘fun-to-drive’ philosophy. We created a car that is the pure racing evolution of the road-going Temerario. Thanks to its direct link to the Temerario GT3, which shares many components, including the engine and gearbox –it is the ideal entry point for those eager to experience the world of GT competition."
- Rouven Mohr, chief technical officer of Automobili Lamborghini

The Temerario Super Trofeo has a lot in common with the GT3 racing version. It features revised front and rear subframes to make service easier at the track. Both variants go without hybrid assistance, but the GT3 produces just 550 horsepower due to competition rules in the class, making it even less powerful than the Super Trofeo. Modifications to the powerplant include smaller turbochargers, titanium connecting rods, and a Capristo exhaust. It rides on six-way-adjustable KW dampers. The revised bodywork features a design that directs more air to the engine and brake cooling system.

Since launching the Super Trofeo competition program in 2009, over 1,383 drivers have participated in 563 races to date. The series began with the Gallardo Super Trofeo, before upgrading to the Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo in 2013. The Huracan LP 620-2 Super Trofeo arrived in 2015. Two evolutions of the model gradually updated it before the upcoming arrival of the Temerario Super Trofeo.

Looking at Lamborghini's model evolution over the past few decades, it routinely launches new models with all-wheel drive before eventually building a rear-drive variant. However, the Temerario has to be a bit different. According to Mohr, the hybrid-assisted powertrain is a key reason why the car's twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 is capable of revving to 10,000 rpm. The powerplant doesn't make much torque at low revs and uses fairly large turbos. The electric motors provide the necessary torque to balance the output.

The situation is likely going to complicate building a rear-drive Temerario. The car has a pair of electric motors assisting the front axle and one at the rear. One solution might be to follow the GT3 version by fitting smaller turbos while turning up the motor's output. Regardless, Mohr told CarBuzz that we shouldn't expect a non-hybrid version for a road-going model. Regarding the hybrid system, he said, "It's not a 'nice-to-have.' It's a fundamental part of the concept."

At least at the moment, the only way to enjoy a rear-drive Temerario is to drive either the Super Trofeo​​​​​or GT3 on the track. However, this situation might change someday.