The Huracán STO (Super Trofeo Omologata) is the ultimate road-legal model, infused with technology and know-how directly from Lamborghini's racing model, the "Super Trofeo." We spoke online with three key people involved in the development of this model.

On November 18, 2020, Automobili Lamborghini unveiled the Huracán STO, the latest model in the Huracán series. The car was then given its world premiere on November 20 at "THE LOUNGE TOKYO" in Roppongi, Tokyo.

The STO is the Super Trofeo racing model, re-engineered for road use with its technology and know-how fed back into its design. Its naturally aspirated V10 engine produces a maximum output of 640 hp and a peak torque of 565 Nm. With a dry weight of just 1,339 kg, it is a rear-wheel-drive model. Performance figures include 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 9.0 seconds, and a top speed of 310 km/h. The price was announced at 37.5 million yen. We interviewed three of the people involved in the development of this model online.

First, we spoke with Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini's Chief Technical Officer.

— Just to confirm the name of the new model, is our understanding correct that STO stands for Super Trofeo Omologata, meaning it's a road-legal version of the Huracán race car, the Super Trofeo?

Reggiani“While the name is correct, the STO is not simply a homologated version of a race car. I believe it’s a car that can be used in many different ways. Its reliability is extremely high, allowing for ultimate circuit driving enjoyment, and it’s a car that delivers maximum performance on the track, while also being perfectly suitable for daily use.”

— What was the trigger and objective for releasing the STO at this particular time?

Reggiani“We have achieved success over many years in the Super Trofeo one-make series, and the GT3 has also been very successful. We've won the Daytona 24 Hours race for three consecutive years. We wanted to effectively utilize that know-how in our production cars as well.

I believe there are two or three key parameters for building a powerful race car and a fast car. First is fast cornering, which requires aerodynamics and weight reduction. Then, it's about maximizing power while reducing weight, enhancing braking performance, and optimizing chassis control. For the STO, we've used our cutting-edge technology to maximize aerodynamic performance and significantly reduce drag. This allows for cornering at extremely high speeds.

Furthermore, for the first time, we've introduced the CCM-R braking system, derived from F1 technology. These are carbon-ceramic brakes that are extremely lightweight, powerful, and deliver maximum performance. We conducted tests with the same car and driver. On one hand, we used conventional ceramic brakes, and on the other, the new CCM-R technology. The CCM-R brakes were 9% faster. This directly translates to performance, resulting in outstanding performance and enhanced reliability. With these CCM-R brakes, the feel and reliability remain stable even after two hours of continuous driving. At the same time, they are perfectly suitable for everyday use. On normal roads, even in traffic jams, the handling is no different from conventional brake systems, allowing you to enjoy stable braking performance.

Another important aspect is weight reduction to enhance performance. With a dry weight of 1,339 kg, we've extensively used carbon fiber. All body panels are made of carbon fiber. Our Centro Stile (Design Center) staff also managed to achieve weight reduction and efficiency by integrating components, while simultaneously maintaining rigidity.

— You mentioned it can be used daily, but what changes were made to adapt the Super Trofeo for road use?

Reggiani“Since this STO is street homologated, a street version, we have modified the parameters. You can drive it in various ways by selecting the drive modes: STO mode, Trofeo mode, and Pioggia mode. In STO mode, you get a normal, soft, comfortable ride. In Race mode, it becomes very responsive, accelerates quickly, and the suspension and damping become stiffer. Therefore, you can enjoy a comfortable ride in Strada mode, while adopting Race mode provides a very stiff, agile, and responsive drive, offering sufficient capability even on circuits like Fuji or Suzuka in Japan.”

— The STO's large wing is quite striking. Were there any changes to its performance compared to the racing version for this street-legal model?

Reggiani“The rear wing is completely different between the race car and this STO. The STO's wing is designed and engineered to meet its specific target loads. Users can choose from three positions, each offering a different balance, which also changes the load distribution, front-to-rear. This allows customers to select within a range from oversteer to understeer. By reducing drag, downforce can vary from 500 kg to 250 kg, indicating excellent drag and aerodynamic performance.

— What about the lap times? Do you have specific figures for certain circuits?

Reggiani“When we started developing this car, we gave the engineering team a task: how should we compare the STO's lap times, and what model should serve as a reference? We considered comparing it to the Performante, which was the fastest V10 model at the time, among other options.

We ran simulations and chose Daytona as the circuit. This was because we have a track record of winning at Daytona for three consecutive years, and the 24-hour race is an iconic event for us. The qualifying lap time last year showed that the STO was 2 seconds slower than the GT3's pole position lap time. This was with slip tires.

In contrast, when comparing speeds with the Performante, it was 3 seconds faster. When I first heard this, I couldn't believe it, but after actually driving it on the circuit myself, I was convinced that this car is indeed fast. I also believe that not just professional drivers, but also regular drivers can achieve this speed. Mitja and Giovanni also drove it, and all three of us felt the same way.

Next, we spoke with Mitja Borkert, who leads the design department at Lamborghini Centro Stile.

— Please tell us about the design changes made to the STO, adapting it from a racing specification to a road-legal version.

Borkert“This car is homologated for road use in every country worldwide, meaning it can be driven not only on circuits but also on public roads globally. While the design is very beautiful and cool, it also incorporates features for everyday use. For example, lifting the bonnet reveals space to store a helmet for circuit driving. Although it's a replica of a race car, it offers a wide range of color choices, allowing customers to select their favorite from over 350 colors available through Ad Personam, reflecting the many Lamborghini colors.”

— What color do you think is most fitting for the STO, in your opinion?

Borkert“With 350 colors available, we are considering ways to simplify the selection process for our customers. However, for the launch and unveiling of the STO, we plan to debut the first car in a beautiful blue called 'Blu Laufey.' As a secondary color, we are using orange, which is part of Lamborghini's racing car DNA. Subsequently, for the cars available to the press and the initial offerings to customers, we will set up various colors to create truly beautiful variations.

We also have a great fondness for the Japanese market and its customers, who have a strong preference for colorful options. Therefore, I am personally looking forward to seeing which colors will be popular in the Japanese market from a designer's perspective.”

Finally, we spoke with Giovanni Perosino, the Chief Commercial Officer.

— Who is the target demographic for the STO? Are there any specific driving skill requirements?

Perosino“We haven't identified any specific target demographic or driver profile. The most important factor is for people to enjoy driving the car. Those who seek 'fun to drive' are our target audience.

This car is packed with technology that allows top drivers to enjoy it on the circuit. However, even drivers who are not professionals can experience the feeling of mastering professional driving techniques with the right support.

In essence, anyone who can drive a supercar can enjoy it. Professional drivers can extract its maximum performance, while others can fully appreciate its technology and driving dynamics. And of course, female drivers are most welcome.”

— Approximately how many units do you plan to produce?

Perosino“The STO is not a limited edition, so we are not planning for limited production. Looking back, the Performante was the most successful car in the V12 segment. We aim to surpass that success with the STO. We expect to achieve significant success with the STO, exceeding the sales figures of the Performante.

Therefore, we position the STO as a model that will represent a significant volume within the V10 model lineup from 2021 to 2022.

However, it's important to note that while we set high sales targets, we aim to maintain a delicate balance by setting supply slightly below customer demand. By keeping supply lower than demand, we can preserve the value of our brand, protect our investments, and further accelerate customer desire for the car.

Additionally, as a supplementary point, the Japanese market accounts for 8% of Lamborghini's global sales. However, sentimentally speaking, Japan holds a much higher market share for Lamborghini. We at Lamborghini, including our staff, love the Japanese market and believe we have the best customers in Japan, so please consider our 'heart' market share to be much higher.