Lamborghini has officially unveiled the Huracan Performanteat the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Recently the vehicle had made headlines for breaking the production-car lap record at theNürburgring Nordschleife in Germany.

Not much was known about the Huracan Performante during its record-breaking run, but all hasfinally been revealed. The Performante featuresnew lightweight technologies, active aerodynamics with aero vectoring and a new set-up of chassis, all-wheel-drive system and an improved powertrain.

"The Huracan Performante is the convergence of technological developments to produce a car delivering perfect performance," says Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali. "This new car represents the powerhouse of Lamborghini DNA and innovationand a 360-degree approach to creating class-leading super sports cars. It illustrates the pinnacle of Lamborghini V10 production car performance to date, on both track and road, and is perfectly exemplified by its name: Lamborghini Huracan Performante."

Lamborghini has shaved 40 kg off the Huracan's overall weight. The body is produced from aluminiumin conjunction with plenty of Lamborghini's award-winning Forged Composite material. Featuring sheared carbon fibres set inresin, Forged Composite allows the creation of lightweight, complex geometrical shapes beyond that possible with traditional carbon fibre composite materials, while maintaining optimalstiffness. Forged Composite is used in thefront and rear spoiler, the engine bonnet, rear bumper and aerodynamic diffuser, the Italian firm claims.

Incredible aerodynamic technology

The clever rear wing and active aero package improves downforce and cornering stability.

One of the key features of the Performanteis its active aerodynamic system that provideshigh downforce or low drag (depending on requirements). This system isintegrated into the vehicle in terms of design, weight and performance. The front spoiler integrates an electric motor of the front aero system, built in a carbon-forged frame with active flaps on the top exterior surface. The rear bonnet is designed around the air ducts to the rear wing as well as the wing. The car's computergoverns all the systems in real timeand can activate the aero system flaps in less than 500 milliseconds.

When the active flaps inside the front spoiler close, they generate addeddownforce for high-speed cornering and full braking conditions. However, when the flaps are opened (by an electric motor integral to the spoiler), air pressure on the apronis reduced and air flow is directed (via an inner channel) through the specially shaped underside of the car. Thisreduces drag and optimises conditions for maximum acceleration and top speed.

At the rear, there are 4ducts below the Performante's engine cover. The two central ducts are always open to allow underhood ventilation and exhaust cooling, while the 2external ducts are connected to the inner channels of the rear wing. Two flaps directairflow through ridges underneath the wing to reducedrag and maximisethe car's acceleration and top speed capabilities, plus, thanks toaero vectoring, the flow can be switched on in either the right or left side of the spoiler to increasedownforce and traction on the inner wheel, counteracting the load transfer in rolling conditions. This, in turn,optimises the chassis' momentum, requiring a reduced steering angle and improving the car's overall dynamic stability, Lambo claims.

Performance and powertrains

The Performante's performance focus is also evident inside through the use of lightweight materials.

Meanwhile, the Performante's V10 engine pushes out 470 KW and 600 Nmand features anew bronze manifold, as well as parts fromLamborghini's motorsports programme. The intake and exhaust have been tweaked, as well as new titanium valves that allow higher valve lifts to increase engineperformance. The revised exhausts are lighter and are positioned at a higher and more central position, for a more aggressive sound.

The new engine features anoptimised torque curve, with more than 70% of torque already available at 1 000 rpm.Lamborghini's 7-speed dual clutch transmission has been also optimised in order to match the increased performance. With its kerb weight of 1 383 kg, the Performante will dispatch the0-100 kph sprint in 2.9 seconds and arrive at 200 kph 6 seconds later. The new brakes are ventilated and cross-drilled carbon ceramic discs withsix-piston brake callipers at the front and four-piston callipers at the rear.

Completely revised chassis

The suspension has been completely revised; in fact, the entire Performante package has been given a harder, more performance bias.The suspension has been vertically stiffened by 10% over the Huracan coupe, via both springs and bars, and roll stiffness improved by 15%. The stiffness of the radial and axial arm bushings has been improved by 50%, significantly enhancing lateral control of the car.The double wishbone system, front and rear, features passive dampers. Both systems, passive and active suspension, are designed to improve body and wheel control especially on track.

The Huracan Performante's electronic power steering has been significantly recalibrated to be highly responsive, while the ESC has been calibrated for smooth (less intrusive) intervention when the all-wheel-drive system lays its significant reserve of power/torque on the terra firma. Lastly, the Performante rides on specifically designed bronze 20-inchNarvi forged alloy rims wrapped in specially developed Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres.

Watch the Lamborghini Production Lap Record:

Further Reading

Read all about the Lamborghini's lap record here

Read a review of the Lamborghini Huracan

Watch us drive not one, but twoHuracans

Check out the latest Lambo news here

Interested in buying a Lamborghini?

Find one for sale on Cars.co.za