Skip to main content

Lamborghini’s Rear-Wheel Drive Huracan Spyder Is Open-Top Ecstasy

2017-Lamborghini-Huracan-LP580-2-Spyder-1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In 2013, Lamborghini retired its best-selling model ever, the Gallardo. One year later, the Huracan assumed the brand’s entry-level supercar mantle. Since then, the Italian automaker has expanded its Huracan model range to include an all-wheel drive coupe (LP610-4), roadster, and rear-wheel drive coupe (LP580-2).

Recommended Videos

This year, Lamborghini adds one more model to its stable, the LP580-2 Spyder. Lamborghini’s most affordable roadster applies 571 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Unlike the LP580-2 coupe, however, there isn’t a pesky roof to muffle that 5.2-liter V10 sonnet.

The LP580-2 doesn’t just introduce affordability to the topless Lamborghini portfolio; it pioneers Forged Composite materials on a mainstream model. Forged Composite is Lamborghini’s term for a revolutionary carbon fiber manufacturing process. Far easier to produce, and yet lighter than both steel and aluminum, this material will become integral to the company’s future products. For now, though, the marble-looking substance has only been applied to the LP580’s air vents, door handles, and steering wheel paddles.

“We first saw the benefits of Forged Composite as a structural solution with the Sesto Elemento, and now, with advances in technology, the possibilities have grown,” said Federico Foschini, Lamborghini’s Commercial Director.

Apart from the nouveau-carbon-fiber treatments, the Huracan LP580-2 Spyder wears a distinctive Giallo Pearl exterior paint, 20-inch alloy wheels, and dark chrome accents. These add-ons alone tack $26,600 to the Spyder’s $219,780 starting figure, but they combine for a completely unique aesthetic. Both the Huracan Spyder and the Audi R8 Spyder (upon which the Huracan is based) are among the most beautiful roadsters ever built. Only a handful of designers can craft a roadster that’s dazzling with its top up and with it stowed.

Like the rear-wheel drive coupe, the LP580-2 Spyder features a reworked front and rear fascia to distinguish it from the LP610-4 Huracan. Black slats embedded within the air intakes enhance the front’s aggression compared to the all-wheel drive model, and a taller honeycombed grille above a redesigned lower diffuser spice up the rear. The same distinctive fins from the LP610-4 Spyder appear behind driver and passenger when the roof has been stowed (a task which takes just 17 seconds).

The Huracan Spyder’s cockpit feels as if it were pulled directly from a fighter jet, save for the seating configuration. Lamborghini’s signature ignition switch, toggles, and driver-focused cabin turn any errand into a sense of occasion. Tightly bolstered seats keep both passengers locked in place during hard cornering, but remain comfortable for long hauls. A 12.3-inch digital display gives the driver full command of navigation, media, traffic, and telemetry information, but affords plenty of real estate to the speedometer/tachometer combo.

It’s easy to get caught up in the Huracan LP580-2 Spyder’s ravishing design, but a wailing, snapping V10 engine note reminds you this is, first and foremost, a performance vehicle. Pin the throttle, and the Pirelli-wrapped rear tires claw at the tarmac, rocketing the Spyder to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 198 mph. Meanwhile, Lamborghini’s brilliant transmission rips through gears in fractions of a second. Unlike the kicks of the Aventador’s dual-clutch, the Huracan fluidly moves from gear to gear while the car’s surroundings blur. Switch to manual controls and the Huracan greets each downshift with popping overrun.

The LP580-2 Spyder features three drive modes, in order of aggression: Strada, Sport, and Corsa. Each mode tweaks steering response, throttle sensitivity, exhaust flow, and electronic stability control intervention for a mild or mental driving experience. Whichever flavor of fun you choose, the LP580-2 is sensationally quick. Steering response is immediate, braking power is immense, and acceleration is blistering.

Those shopping the $200K convertible supercar market will cross-shop the Huracan LP580-2 Spyder with the Ferrari 488 Spider and McLaren 650S Spider. Among these rivals, the Huracan LP580-2 is by far the cheapest, but also the least powerful. The Ferrari boasts 660hp and 560 lb-ft of torque for its $275K starting figure and the McLaren counters with 640hp and 500 lb-ft of torque for $280K.

Choosing between these three incredible machines will ultimately come down to buyer enthusiasm. The Ferrari and McLaren may be quicker than the Lamborghini, but their twin-turbo V8’s and comparatively conservative styling simply can’t match the Huracan’s wow-factor.

Miles Branman
Miles Branman developed a passion for cars early on thanks to a neighbor’s collection of rare and exotic vehicles. What…
Adidas and Mercedes-AMG F1 launch Silver Arrows fanwear collection before British Grand Prix
The Silver Arrow collection is on sale worldwide at select Adidas retailers and the Adidas website.
F1 drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli wearing Mercedes fan wear with a Mercedes-Benz W196 racecar.

Working with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team, Adidas launched the Silver Arrow pack, a collection of fanwear inspired by the Mercedes-Benz W196 race car. Current Mercedes F1 drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli posed with items from the Silver Arrow collection along with professional models.
Why celebrate the W196?

The W196 wasn't the first Silver Arrow. The first Mercedes to be called a Silver Arrow was the Mercedes W25, which debuted in 1934. However, driver Juan Fangio won the 1954 and 1955 F1 World Championships with the W196, which was among the several models referred to by the group name. The Adidas Silver Arrow collection celebrates the 70th anniversary of the W196's first F1 Championship season.

Read more
Gen Z, women, US fans driving modern F1 era, new 2025 survey shows
Women, Gen Z, and US fans lead F1 fan growth and engagement
F1 logo on sign over track.

The F1 fan base is expanding worldwide, and a new survey by Formula 1 and Motorsport Network reveals that the sport's popularity is increasing fastest among women, Gen Z, and fans in the US. The popular Netflix series Formula 1: Drive to Survive introduced many people to elite motorsport, and the recently opened Brad Pitt F1 movie promises to bring more fans based on the Apple film's opening weekend. The survey breaks down the fan demographics.
Tracking F1 fan demographics and growth

The 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey is the latest iteration of research conducted by the Formula 1 organization and Motorsport Network every four years. The 2025 survey garnered responses from over 100,000 fans from 186 countries. The full text of the 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey details how the self-identified fans were attracted to F1, their motivations and passions, and how they interact and engage with the motorsport.
U.S. has the fastest-growing fan base for F1

Read more
Say hello to Porsche’s latest Carrera and Targa 911s
You can still have a lot of fun with an AWD 911
New AWD 2025 911 lineup featuring two Carreras and a Targa

Porsche fans have three new 911s to choose from. The German performance brand has announced two new Carrera 4S variants, a cabriolet and a coupe, along with a new Targa 4S.

All three vehicles are packing an all-wheel drive system, and the newly announced vehicles now make up half of all AWD 911 options. With Porsche being Porsche, it's not the safety and stability-centered AWD you may be used to. Instead, the manufacturer claims that its "extensively revised powertrain gives the all-wheel-drive sports car a significant boost in emotionality compared to its predecessor models." We believe roughly that translates to "it's better in terms of grip and overall performance, but you can still have some fun in it."

Read more