Lamborghini Temerario: The Fastest Gas Car We’ve Ever Tested in the US
While the world of electric supercars is rapidly pushing the boundaries of acceleration, the Lamborghini Temerario has officially claimed the title of the quickest internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle ever tested by MotorTrend in the United States. Lamborghini’s new 907-hp “starter” supercar just clocked a scorching 9.58-second quarter-mile run with a top speed of 148.5 mph, narrowly edging out the 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano by a mere 0.03 second.
But is it the fastest car on the road?
The Speed Kings: Electric vs. Gas
Of course, there are EVs that will outpace the Temerario in a direct confrontation. The Tesla Model S Plaid, Lucid Air Sapphire, and several variants of the Porsche Taycan Turbo have all posted faster times in MotorTrend testing. However, none of these electric marvels can replicate the sheer drama and visceral thrill of the Lamborghini. The Temerario’s plug-in hybrid powertrain is a brutal symphony of power: the instant low-end torque from three electric motors is combined with the sustained top-end pull of a twin-turbo, flat-plane-crank 4.0-liter V-8, creating a truly wild ride.
Launch Control and Maximum Adrenaline
Lamborghini has mastered the art of supercar theater. For the fastest runs, you flip the steering-wheel-mounted knobs into Corsa handling mode and Performance powertrain mode. Then, press the small checkered-flag button to activate launch control. Stand on both pedals, and the engine revs to 4,000 rpm before you rocket off with controlled fury. The Bridgestone Potenza Race tires howl off the line, the V-8 screams to 10,250 rpm, and then the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission rips off a brutally efficient upshift into second. The tires chirp, and the whole process repeats—a high-octane ballet of mechanical might.
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Lamborghini Temerario: The Fastest Gas Car We’ve Ever Tested in the US
While the world of electric supercars is rapidly pushing the boundaries of acceleration, the Lamborghini Temerario has officially claimed the title of the quickest internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle ever tested by MotorTrend in the United States. Lamborghini’s new 907-hp “starter” supercar just clocked a scorching 9.58-second quarter-mile run with a top speed of 148.5 mph, narrowly edging out the 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano by a mere 0.03 second.
But is it the fastest car on the road?
The Speed Kings: Electric vs. Gas
Of course, there are EVs that will outpace the Temerario in a direct confrontation. The Tesla Model S Plaid, Lucid Air Sapphire, and several variants of the Porsche Taycan Turbo have all posted faster times in MotorTrend testing. However, none of these electric marvels can replicate the sheer drama and visceral thrill of the Lamborghini. The Temerario’s plug-in hybrid powertrain is a brutal symphony of power: the instant low-end torque from three electric motors is combined with the sustained top-end pull of a twin-turbo, flat-plane-crank 4.0-liter V-8, creating a truly wild ride.
Launch Control and Maximum Adrenaline
Lamborghini has mastered the art of supercar theater. For the fastest runs, you flip the steering-wheel-mounted knobs into Corsa handling mode and Performance powertrain mode. Then, press the small checkered-flag button to activate launch control. Stand on both pedals, and the engine revs to 4,000 rpm before you rocket off with controlled fury. The Bridgestone Potenza Race tires howl off the line, the V-8 screams to 10,250 rpm, and then the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission rips off a brutally efficient upshift into second. The tires chirp, and the whole process repeats—a high-octane ballet of mechanical might.
How Fast Is the Lamborghini Temerario’s 0–60-MPH Time?
You don’t achieve a 9.6-second quarter mile by creeping off the line. The Temerario launches from 0–60 mph in just 2.2 seconds. While that’s blisteringly fast, it only places the Lamborghini third among ICE vehicles in our all-time records, trailing the Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano and the 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S. However, you don’t have to wait long for the Lambo to take the lead. It hits 100 mph in a mere 4.6 seconds, by which point it has already surpassed both the Ferrari and the Porsche.
The Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain and Braking Distances
When it comes time to slow down, the standard carbon-ceramic brakes haul the Temerario to a stop from 60 mph in 96 feet. That’s respectable, but it doesn’t quite match the sheer spectacle of its acceleration. The plug-in hybrid powertrain is likely holding the Lambo back in this regard. Our test car was equipped with the optional $84,100 Alleggerita package, which shaves off 55 pounds, but the car still weighed a portly 4,185 pounds. Fortunately, cranking up the velocity once again puts the Lambo in the best light. Stopping from 100 mph in 266 feet, the Temerario ties for 12th place on our comprehensive list of thousands of vehicles tested.
How Does This Bull Perform in the Handling Arena?
MotorTrend’s figure-eight course is the ultimate test of a car’s performance, combining cornering, braking, and acceleration into a single lap. It reveals so much about a car’s dynamics, both objectively and subjectively. Pushed to its limits, the Temerario claws onto corners with 1.14 g of grip, completing the lap in 22.3 seconds. This places it 0.7 seconds behind our 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 starter Lambo’s lap is comparable to times set by the 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, the 2025 Lucid Air Sapphire, and two of its lighter predecessors, the 2020 Huracán Evo AWD (3,645 pounds) and the 2021 Huracán STO (3,390 pounds).
We like to frame the figure-eight with a secondary metric—the average g-force experienced over the full lap. The Temerario’s 1.05 g means that for the entire lap, you are either being pushed from behind, pressed into your seat belt, or pinned against the bolster with a force greater than gravity holding you on the planet.
The Verdict: Emotion Over Numbers
As impressive as the Temerario’s performance is, the biggest takeaway from putting it through our testing is that Lamborghini hasn’t sacrificed an exhilarating experience in the pursuit of numbers. Its Corsa mode keeps everything perfectly in line for focused, fast laps, but the Lambo truly lets loose in Sport mode with playful yet easily controlled rotation. And if that’s not wild enough, the three-stage Drift mode sets you up for spectacular slides.
The Lamborghini Temerario is a cocktail of caffeine, adrenaline, and pure testosterone on four wheels. It’s a car designed to thrill the driver, not just break records.
The Evolution of Lamborghini: From V10 to Hybrid V8
The Lamborghini Temerario marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., signaling a clear departure from the beloved V10 engine that defined the Huracán lineup. This new model not only serves as the spiritual successor to the Huracán but also represents Lamborghini’s strategic move to hybridize its supercar portfolio, aligning with the Automobili Lamborghini 2025-2027 strategy. This shift is driven by a combination of regulatory pressure and the pursuit of cutting-edge performance technology.
Architectural Innovation: The New Platform
To accommodate the complex plug-in hybrid system and a larger V8 engine, Lamborghini developed a new platform specifically for the Temerario. This platform is designed to be lightweight and rigid, integrating the electric motors, battery pack, and traditional combustion engine seamlessly. The weight distribution is optimized to maintain Lamborghini’s signature handling characteristics while managing the increased mass of the hybrid components. The use of carbon fiber and advanced composites throughout the chassis ensures that the car remains agile and responsive, despite the added weight of the electrification system.
The Powertrain: A V8 Hybrid Symphony
The heart of the Lamborghini Temerario is its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, developed in collaboration with Porsche. This engine marks a significant departure from the naturally aspirated V10 of the Huracán, which was praised for its linear power delivery and high-revving character. The new V8, however, is designed to deliver more torque and power while still allowing for high-revving performance.
The engine is paired with three electric motors: one positioned on the front axle (providing all-wheel drive) and two on the rear axle (offering torque vectoring). This setup allows for an electric-only mode, as well as a powerful hybrid boost during acceleration. The total system output reaches 907 hp, providing the breathtaking performance that Lamborghini customers expect. The 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is optimized to handle the combined power of the V8 and electric motors, ensuring smooth and rapid shifts during both spirited driving and everyday use.
Performance Benchmarks: Dominating the Straight Line
The Lamborghini Temerario has shattered expectations in the acceleration department. Its 9.58-second quarter-mile time at a trap speed of 148.5 mph makes it the quickest production car ever tested by MotorTrend. This performance places it firmly at the top of the hypercar rankings, outperforming electric hypercars and gasoline-powered rivals alike.
The 0–60 mph time of 2.2 seconds is equally impressive, demonstrating the immediate torque delivery of the electric motors and the brute force of the V8 engine. While some electric cars may offer faster acceleration off the line, the Temerario’s combination of raw power, visceral sound, and driver engagement sets it apart. The car’s ability to maintain acceleration through the quarter-mile highlights the effectiveness of its hybrid system and aerodynamic design.
Braking and Handling Dynamics
Despite the significant weight of its plug-in hybrid system, the Lamborghini Temerario features advanced braking technology to ensure safe and controlled deceleration. The carbon-ceramic brakes, combined with the regenerative braking from the electric motors, provide stopping power that rivals the world’s fastest hypercars. The 60–0 mph time of 96 feet is respectable, especially when considering the car’s curb weight of 4,185 pounds.
In handling tests, the Temerario demonstrates