Early on in the dash to develop ever faster racecars in the 1970s, aerodynamics, and specifically downforce, proved a revelation. Following on quickly from the initial passive downforce initiatives were active aerodynamic solutions. Only providing downforce when needed (i.e., cornering and braking) then reverting to a low drag configuration was an ideal protocol, but short lived due to rule changes in most motor sports (including Formula 1), which banned active aerodynamics. A recent exception to the rule is the highly regulated Drag Reduction System now used in F1. However, road-legal cars are not governed by such regulations and so we have the gloriously unregulated Lamborghini Huracán Performante.

Active Aerodynamics on the Lamborghini Huracán Performante

Active aerodynamic devices at the front and rear of the Huracán auto-magically switch between low drag (for straight line speed) and high downforce (for cornering and braking). Also it has directional aerodynamics, which provides higher downforce to the half of the car on the inside of a turn.

As proof of the effectiveness of its active aerodynamics, a Lamborghini Huracán Performante recently broke the lap record at the Nürburgring for a road-legal car. It took the record from a hybrid Porsche which at 887 horsepower had 39% more power from its electric hybrid transmission than the Huracán's 640 horsepower.