Lamborghini Temerario Shatters Records as the Quickest Gas-Powered Vehicle Ever Tested
Move over, Ferrari. The Lamborghini Temerario has officially claimed the title of the fastest vehicle with an internal combustion engine ever tested by MotorTrend. This formidable “entry-level” supercar, producing a staggering 907 horsepower, achieved a blistering 9.58-second quarter-mile run with a trap speed of 148.5 mph, edging out the 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano by a razor-thin margin of just 0.03 seconds.
While the world of electric vehicles offers raw acceleration, the Lamborghini Temerario delivers an unparalleled level of thrill and theater that only a supercar of its caliber can provide. Vehicles like the Tesla Model S Plaid, the Lucid Air Sapphire, and several variants of the Porsche Taycan Turbo may have edged out the Temerario in straight-line speed, but they simply cannot compete with the raw emotion and auditory spectacle of this Italian masterpiece.
The Temerario’s sophisticated plug-in hybrid powertrain represents a masterstroke of engineering, seamlessly blending the instant low-end torque of three electric motors with the sustained, brutal power of a twin-turbo, flat-plane-crank 4.0-liter V-8 engine. This potent combination creates an exhilarating symphony of noise, vibration, and raw velocity, marking a new era for the Sant’Agata Bolognese manufacturer.
Lamborghini has long been synonymous with supercar drama, and the Temerario is no exception. To extract its maximum performance, drivers can engage Corsa handling mode and Performance powertrain mode via the steering wheel-mounted knobs. From there, a quick press of the small checkered-flag button activates launch control. Standing on both pedals, the engine screams to 4,000 rpm before unleashing a perfectly controlled torrent of fury. The Bridgestone Potenza Race tires howl as the V-8 winds up to a breathtaking 10,250 rpm, followed by a brutal, efficient gear change into second. The tires chirp, and the process repeats in a relentless pursuit of speed.
The Lamborghini Temerario’s 0–60-MPH Time: A Blinding Burst of Speed
Achieving a 9.6-second quarter-mile requires more than just a strong launch; it demands a level of immediate acceleration that can leave other machines in the dust. The Temerario delivers this in spades, clocking in a blistering 0–60 mph in a mere 2.2 seconds.
However, in the world of gas-burning vehicles, this is not enough to claim the top spot. The Temerario currently sits in third place in our all-time records for a vehicle with a combustion engine, behind the reigning champion, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano, and the formidable 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S.
But for those seeking immediate victory, the wait is short-lived. The Lamborghini sprints to 100 mph in just 4.6 seconds, by which point it has already overtaken both the Ferrari and the Porsche, showcasing its exceptional power-to-weight ratio and rapid power delivery.
The Weight of Plug-In Hybrid Technology on Braking Performance
When it comes to shedding speed, the Temerario relies on massive carbon-ceramic brakes, bringing the car to a stop from 60 mph in 96 feet. While respectable, this figure is less impressive compared to its acceleration times.
The plug-in hybrid powertrain undoubtedly contributes to the car’s overall weight. Even with the $84,100 Alleggerita package, which shaves off 55 pounds, the test vehicle still tipped the scales at a portly 4,185 pounds. However, when pushed to higher velocities, the Temerario shines. It stops from 100 mph in 266 feet, securing a respectable 12th place among the thousands of vehicles we have tested throughout MotorTrend’s history.
The Lamborghini Temerario’s Handling Prowess: Pushing the Limits
The figure-eight course remains the ultimate benchmark for automotive performance, as it combines cornering, braking, and acceleration into a single lap that reveals a car’s true capabilities, both objectively and subjectively.
Under pressure, the Temerario grips the corners with a lateral force of 1.14 g, completing the lap in a remarkable 22.3 seconds. This places it 0.7 seconds behind our current record holders—the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, the 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring, and the 2022 McLaren 765LT Spider.
The Temerario’s lap time is comparable to other titans of the automotive world, matching the 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, the 2025 Lucid Air Sapphire, and its predecessors, the 2020 Huracán Evo AWD (3,645 pounds) and the 2021 Huracán STO (3,390 pounds).
Navigating the Figure Eight with Precision and Control
When analyzing the figure eight with a second metric—the average g-force experienced over the entire lap due to acceleration, braking, and cornering—the Temerario stands out. Its 1.05 g average means that throughout the entire lap, the driver is subjected to forces greater than gravity itself, constantly pinned against the seatbelt or pressed into the side bolsters.
Despite its impressive performance metrics, the most significant takeaway from testing the Lamborghini Temerario is that the manufacturer has not compromised on the exhilarating driving experience in the pursuit of raw numbers.
Driving Modes: Corsa, Sport, and Drift
The Corsa mode keeps everything in check for focused, high-speed laps, while the Sport mode loosens the reins, allowing for playful yet controlled rotation. And for those seeking pure adrenaline, the three-stage Drift mode is designed to help the driver execute spectacular slides with ease.
The Lamborghini Temerario is more than just a fast car; it is a potent cocktail of caffeine, adrenaline, and testosterone on four wheels.
Disclaimer: This article is a journalistic report based on performance testing data and automotive analysis. All vehicle specifications and performance times are subject to manufacturer changes and real-world testing variations.”
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Lamborghini Temerario: Quickest Gas Car We’ve Ever Tested
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MotorTrend Tests Lamborghini Temerario
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