The Lamborghini Temerario: The Fastest Gas-Powered Supercar MotorTrend Has Ever Tested
While an electric vehicle (EV) might beat the Lamborghini Temerario to the finish line of a quarter-mile sprint by a fraction of a second, it simply cannot deliver the same visceral thrills as the Temerario’s screaming 10,250-rpm V-8 engine.
Lamborghini has officially dethroned Ferrari as the manufacturer of the fastest internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle tested by MotorTrend. The Italian marque’s newest “entry-level” supercar, producing a staggering 907 horsepower, laid down a blisteringly fast 9.58-second quarter-mile run at a 148.5-mph trap speed. This impressive feat edged out the 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano by a mere 0.03 seconds.
Naturally, there are EVs that can outpace the Temerario in a direct race. The Tesla Model S Plaid, Lucid Air Sapphire, and various iterations of the Porsche Taycan Turbo have all posted faster times in MotorTrend’s rigorous testing protocols. However, none of these electric marvels can compete with the raw emotion and sheer theater of the Lamborghini. The Temerario’s advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain is a masterpiece of engineering, seamlessly blending the instant torque of three electric motors with the sustained, savage power of a twin-turbocharged, flat-plane-crank 4.0-liter V-8 engine. The result is a wild, heart-pounding thrill ride that few cars can match.
Lamborghini is a master of supercar drama. For peak performance, drivers engage the Corsa handling mode and Performance powertrain mode using the steering-wheel-mounted rotary dials, then press the small checkered-flag button to activate launch control. Stepping on both pedals sends the engine spinning to 4,000 rpm before rocketing off with controlled ferocity. The specially designed Bridgestone Potenza Race tires scream off the line as the V-8 spins to its sky-high redline of 10,250 rpm. The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission executes a brutally efficient upshift into second gear, the tires chirp again, and the entire exhilarating process repeats.
How Fast Is the Lamborghini Temerario’s 0–60-MPH Time?
You don’t achieve a 9.6-second quarter mile by waddling off the line. The Temerario absolutely blasts from 0–60 mph in a mere 2.2 seconds. While this is incredibly fast, it’s not enough to secure the top spot among all gas-powered vehicles tested by MotorTrend. The Lambo currently sits in third place on our all-time performance list for combustion-engine vehicles, trailing the Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano and the 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S. However, claim the lead is only a matter of time. It takes just 4.6 seconds to reach 100 mph, by which point the Lamborghini is already pulling away from both the Ferrari and the Porsche.
The Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain Impacts Braking Distances
When it’s time to bleed off speed, the standard carbon-ceramic brakes haul the Temerario down from 60 mph in 96 feet. This is a respectable figure, but it certainly doesn’t match the astonishing acceleration figures. The plug-in hybrid powertrain is almost certainly hindering the Lamborghini in this specific metric. Our test car was equipped with the $84,100 Alleggerita package, which shaves a significant 55 pounds off the curb weight. Yet, the car still weighed in at a portly 4,185 pounds.
As is often the case with acceleration-focused vehicles, cranking up the velocity places the Lambo in the best possible light. Stopping from 100 mph in 266 feet, the Temerario now sits in a respectable tie for 12th place on our comprehensive list of thousands of vehicles tested over the decades.
How Does This Bull Perform in the Handling Arena?
MotorTrend’s renowned figure-eight course is the ultimate crucible for testing a car’s performance capabilities. This challenging test combines high-speed cornering, aggressive braking, and rapid acceleration into a single lap, revealing invaluable insights into a car’s dynamics through both objective measurements and subjective driver feedback.
When pushed to its absolute limits, the Temerario clings to corners with an impressive 1.14 g of lateral grip on its way to a 22.3-second lap. This places it 0.7 second behind our current record holder—which, coincidentally, 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 starter Lambo’s lap time matches that of the 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, the 2025 Lucid Air Sapphire, and two of its lighter predecessors: the 2020 Huracán Evo AWD (weighing 3,645 pounds) and the 2021 Huracán STO (weighing 3,390 pounds).
We also like to frame the figure-eight results with a second number: the average g-force experienced throughout the entire lap due to acceleration, braking, and cornering. The Temerario’s 1.05 g average means that for the entire lap, you are constantly being pressed against the seat belt, pushed from behind, or pinned against the bolster with more force than the Earth’s gravity pulling you down.
The Lamborghini Temerario: Speed, Thrills, and Pure Emotion
While the raw performance numbers of the Lamborghini Temerario are undeniably impressive, arguably the most significant takeaway from testing this extraordinary machine is that Lamborghini has managed to retain an exhilarating driving experience without sacrificing performance. In its Corsa mode, the car keeps everything firmly in check for focused, fast laps. However, the Lambo truly comes alive in Sport mode, exhibiting playful but easily controllable rotation that makes every corner a joy to navigate.
And if that level of excitement still isn’t enough, the car features a three-stage Drift mode that is specifically engineered to set you up for big slides. The Lamborghini Temerario is a potent cocktail of caffeine, adrenaline, and pure testosterone delivered on four wheels. Stay tuned for our full road test, coming soon.
Key Takeaways for the Lamborghini Temerario Test
Performance Metrics: Quickest Gas Car Tested
Quarter Mile: 9.58 seconds at 148.5 mph
0–60 mph: 2.2 seconds (3rd best for ICE vehicles)
100 mph: 4.6 seconds (1st among tested ICE vehicles)
Powertrain Dynamics: Hybrid Efficiency Meets V-8 Fury
Engine: Twin-turbo 4.0L flat-plane-crank V-8
Electric Motors: Three units for instant torque delivery
Total Output: 907 hp
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch
Handling and Braking: Precision and Control
Lateral Grip: 1.14 g
Figure-Eight Lap: 22.3 seconds (7 tenths behind record holder)
60–0 mph Braking: 96 feet
100–0 mph Braking: 266 feet
Curb Weight: 4,185 lbs (with Alleggerita package)
Driving Modes and Experience
Corsa Mode: Maximum performance, track-focused
Sport Mode: Playful, controlled rotation
Drift Mode: Three-stage setting for epic slides
Overall Impression: A thrilling, emotive driving experience that prioritizes driver engagement over pure numbers.
This car represents a significant milestone for Lamborghini, proving that a plug-in hybrid system can not only deliver extreme performance but also preserve the visceral drama that has defined the brand for decades. As the automotive world continues its electric transformation, the Lamborghini Temerario stands as a testament to the enduring magic of the internal combustion engine, offering a compelling glimpse into the future of hybrid supercar engineering.