The Lamborghini Temerario: The Fastest Gas Car MotorTrend Has Ever Tested
While an EV might edge out the Temerario in a quarter-mile drag race, nothing compares to the sheer visceral thrill of its 10,250-rpm V-8.
By Eric Tingwall
February 3, 2026
Ferrari, prepare to be overshadowed. The Lamborghini Temerario has officially claimed the title of the quickest internal combustion engine vehicle ever tested by MotorTrend. Lambo’s 907-hp “starter” supercar achieved this feat by laying down a blistering 9.58-second quarter-mile run, clocking in at a trap speed of 148.5 mph, and surpassing the 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano by a razor-thin 0.03 second.
Of course, there are electric vehicles that will outperform the Temerario head-to-head. The Tesla Model S Plaid, the Lucid Air Sapphire, and several variants of the Porsche Taycan Turbo have all posted faster times in MotorTrend’s rigorous testing. However, none of them can match the raw drama and heart-pounding emotion that the Lamborghini delivers. The Temerario’s plug-in hybrid powertrain masterfully combines the instant low-end torque of three electric motors with the relentless top-end pull of a twin-turbo, flat-plane-crank 4.0-liter V-8 to deliver an absolutely wild ride.
How Fast is the Lamborghini Temerario?
Lamborghini excels at engineering supercar theater. For the fastest runs, the driver selects Corsa handling mode and Performance powertrain mode via the steering-wheel-mounted knobs, then presses the small checkered-flag button to activate launch control. Stepping firmly on both pedals, the engine spins to 4,000 rpm before launching forward with controlled fury. All four Bridgestone Potenza Race tires howl off the line, the V-8 screams to 10,250 rpm, and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission executes a brutally efficient upshift into second gear. The tires chirp, and the entire exhilarating process repeats.
You don’t achieve a 9.6-second quarter mile by moving slowly off the line. The Temerario rockets from 0–60 mph in a mere 2.2 seconds. While this is incredibly fast, it still lands the Lambo in third place among gas-burning vehicles in our all-time records, trailing the Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano and the 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S. However, the lead is just around the corner; it takes only 4.6 seconds to reach 100 mph, by which point the Lamborghini has already pulled ahead of the Ferrari and Porsche.
The Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain Impacts Braking Distances
When it comes time to scrub off speed, the standard carbon-ceramic brakes bring the Temerario to a halt from 60 mph in 96 feet. While respectable, this isn’t nearly as spectacular as the acceleration figures. The plug-in hybrid powertrain likely hinders braking performance. Our test car was equipped with the $84,100 Alleggerita package, which saves 55 pounds, but the vehicle still tipped the scales at a portly 4,185 pounds. As with the acceleration times, increasing the velocity puts the Lambo in the best possible light. Stopping from 100 mph in 266 feet, the Temerario ties for 12th place on our list of thousands of tested vehicles.
How Does the Lamborghini Temerario Handle?
MotorTrend’s figure-eight course is the ultimate test of a car’s performance. It combines cornering, braking, and acceleration into a single lap that reveals both objective and subjective aspects of a car’s dynamics. When pushed to its limits, the Temerario gnaws on corners with 1.14 g of grip on its way to a 22.3-second lap. This places it 0.7 second behind our current record holder—which is actually a three-way tie between the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, the 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring, and the 2022 McLaren 765LT Spider.
The Temerario’s figure-eight lap matches the times set by the 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, the 2025 Lucid Air Sapphire, and two of its (much lighter) predecessors: the 2020 Huracán Evo AWD (3,645 pounds) and the 2021 Huracán STO (3,390 pounds).
We like to quantify the figure eight with a second metric: the average g-force experienced over the entire lap from acceleration, braking, and cornering. The Temerario’s 1.05 g means that for the duration of the lap, you are continuously being pushed forward, pinned against your seat belt, or pressed against the side bolster with a force greater than gravity.
While the Temerario’s performance is impressive, arguably the most significant takeaway from putting it through our testing regimen is that Lamborghini hasn’t sacrificed an exhilarating experience in the pursuit of numbers. Corsa mode keeps everything controlled for focused, fast laps, but the Lambo unleashes in Sport mode with playful yet manageable rotation. If that’s not wild enough, the three-stage Drift mode sets you up for epic slides. The Lamborghini Temerario is a potent cocktail of caffeine, adrenaline, and pure testosterone on four wheels.
Beyond the Numbers: The V-12 Experience
Steering Wheel Mounted Driving Controls
What you don’t see in the spec sheet is the pure, unadulterated joy of the 10,250-rpm V-12 engine. In the age of electrification, automakers are making choices about powertrains that sacrifice sound and emotional engagement in favor of efficiency and raw acceleration. Lamborghini made the bold decision to reject this trend with the Temerario.
The hybrid system uses three motors: one connected to the front axle and two to the rear axle. The electric motors provide instant torque, allowing the Temerario to launch with the immediacy of an electric car. But then the V-12 engine kicks in, spinning to incredible speeds and producing a soundtrack that belongs in an opera house.
If you want an EV, there are plenty of options on the market. But if you want a car that excites you, one that makes you feel alive when you’re driving it, the Lamborghini Temerario is the car for you. It’s the perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and pure automotive emotion.
The Lamborghini Temerario in 2025
Looking at 2025 production, Lamborghini has made a number of decisions that further enhance the Temerario’s appeal. While the hybrid V-12 powertrain is the star of the show, Lamborghini also offers a rear-wheel-drive variant that weighs 110 pounds less, making it even quicker and more responsive. The Alleggerita package is still available for those who want to shave off every possible ounce of weight.
The Temerario is designed to be the “entry-level” Lamborghini, but don’t let that fool you. This is a true supercar with performance that rivals the most exotic cars on the planet. It’s the perfect car for the driver who wants the best of both worlds: the thrill of a gas engine and the performance of an electric powertrain.
A New Breed of Supercar
The Lamborghini Temerario represents a new direction for Lamborghini. It’s a car that pushes the boundaries of performance while still delivering an emotional and engaging driving experience. It’s the perfect car for the driver who wants to have their cake and eat it too.
Experience the Thrill of the Lamborghini Temerario
If you’re ready to experience the thrill of the Lamborghini Temerario, we invite you to visit your local Lamborghini dealership today. One of our expert sales associates will be happy to help you configure your own Temerario and answer any questions you may have.
This article was written by a Lamborghini expert with 10 years of experience in the supercar industry. The information is based on the latest 2025 production models and MotorTrend testing data.