Lamborghini

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Unlike the Huracan, the Aston Vantage V12 S manual doesn’t sound like a couple in flagrante

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Long before it appeared in the distance, I could hear the S arriving. It’s not a squealer like the Huracan – it doesn’t sound like a couple in flagrante.

Instead, the Aston has a sophisticated growl – like Mariella Frostrup after one too many fags. Most shocking is the paint job. I’ve seen the S manual with grey paint and yellow lipstick around the grille, or white gloss and orange frill.

Get your head around that though and the rest should be easy.

Oh, apart from the dog-leg seven-speed gearbox. It’s the reason this Vantage is so special – but also remains the most annoying feature. First gear is in a funny position but it’s also way to easy to slip from second to fifth, instead of third.

Ho-hum. Another flawed Aston – or will I get used to it like every other motoring hack claims is possible?

For now, I’m just happy to look at the shape and hear the roar. More tomorrow…

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The Lamborghini eats up BMW M4s and pimped Subarus for breakfast

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Difficult trying to explain what it actually feels like to drive a Lamborghini. On paper, you might think your BMW M4 or pumped up Subaru Impreza will give it a good run for the money. You’re wrong.

Porsche, Mercedes AMG, Jaguar – all perfectly exciting options. But machines like the Huracan, cars from McLaren and Ferrari, just put speed on a different level.

There is almost an air of resignation among other drivers when the Huracan appears in their rear-view mirror. I’m not sure everybody knows exactly what it is but they certainly get out of the way fast.

Us the ‘Strada’ setting on the steering wheel (again!) for eating up everyday RS4s – switch to ‘Sport’ for destroying anybody who dares to think they are driving a more proficient motor.

There is a race setting but let’s not go there. No need. You will lose your nerve before the Lambo does.

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The Lamborghini Huracan still isn’t the perfect supercar

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The dashboard of the Huracan still frustrates me. I’m sure Lamborghini drivers would tell me that ‘you get used to it’ but steering column stalks are obviously out of flavour in Italy right now.

Everything, and I mean everything, is on the steering wheel. This includes a fiddly indicator button on the left, and an equally awkward windscreen wiper switch on the right.

Far from being driver focussed, I still have to take my eyes off the road to be certain I am pressing each button correctly.

Worst of all though is the dip/full beam. This is also on the left, directly above the indicators. It’s infuriatingly hard to find and even then, changing from full to dip beam is maddeningly tricky.

So, although the Huracan will blow you away with performance and jaw-dropping looks, it still ain’t the perfect supercar…

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The raging bull of Lamborghini Huracan sounds like a soundtrack to the Iraq War

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I’ve never known a car quite like it. The Hurcan is the most eye-catching supercar I’ve driven in 35 years of motor journalism.

A McLaren is cool, a Ferrari chic but the ‘angry’ Lambo craves attention wherever it is parked.

I returned to the Huracan after the British Touring Car Championships at Silverstone this weekend to find a group of people taking selfies, ogling through the windscreen.

Sat in the middle of Cirencester today, teenagers were giving the thumbs up and mouthing ‘nice car’. At least, I think that’s what they were saying.

What they haven’t even experienced driving this beast of a machine. It may bottom out on rough A-roads, it does have an exhaust system that could be a soundtrack to the Iraq War, and Lambo do offers some ridiculous colours.

But for sheer balls out rollocking fun, I’m not sure there has been anything to equal the raging bull of Huracan…

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The Lamborghini Huracan cockpit is bonkers and unconventional

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Here it is then – the bonkers and rather unconventional cockpit that greets every Huracan driver. Check out the red flip cover on the centre console – it conseals the stop start button and is borrowed from a fighter jet.

And that small handle beneath it? Well, obviously that’s the reverse lever and not a handbrake. Exploring the Lamborghini layout is actually a joy – but explore it you must to extract full pleasure from this powerhouse.

The steering wheel? It’s a little too overcomplicated for my liking and the thumb operated indicator switches are cool but really just form over function and not practical.

Otherwise you sit low in the driver’s seat and rear visibility is limited. You need the reverse camera to trundle backwards very slowly and the door mirrors are tiny.

Time to go for a drive…

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The Lamborghini Huracan has an orgasmic overture that will make your knees tremble…

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The donkeys don’t like it that’s for sure. Seriously, the mules on the farm are quite upset by the four tailpipes of the Huracan. God knows what the chairman of the parish council thinks – I will never get in the cricket team now.

The slightest application of right foot sends the Lamborghini into an orgasmic overture. It’s quite silly but then this isn’t a car for shy, retiring types.

If I chucked you the keys to the Huracan I can also guarantee you wouldn’t have a clue how to use the push button gear system, select neutral or even locate the window openers.

The indicators are on the front of the steering wheel and buttons you want to press down are actually designed to be lifted up.

Nothing about this car is normal and I haven’t even driven it yet. I suspect it’s going to make me giggle and worry about my license.

More tomorrow when I’ve found the door handle…

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Great things come in Lamborghini-sized packages…

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June 12 Returning from Italy is always a drag. However, leaving behind a Lamborghini is even worse. Other supercars are available but I think I’ve found my automotive soulmate.

The Miura was the hook to being in Bologna but driving the Aventador and Huracan for the first time broke the spell of Mclaren which has been hanging over me for the last few weeks.

Now, you might think the 760bhp Aventador would seduce me but it was the considerably cheaper Huracan that proved the easier, more accessible supercar.

I’m hoping Car Couture can get one on test before the end of the year, so watch this space. For the next few days I’m in a Caterham 7 620S. More on that tomorrow…

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The Lamborghini Miura – a star car that reminds us how great motors were back in the sixties

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Where else could you expect a police convoy at 120mph? The Italians love their cars and thousands turned out on day one of the Lamborghini Miura 50th Anniversary Tour to watch these sixties supercars take to the road again.

Around 25 owners from around the world brought their cars to Bologna for the event – and with the average price of Miura now around £1.2 million, that’s an awful lot of expensive metal.

I drove a 1972 Miura SV, with no servo brakes, no power steering and a 4.0-litre lump behind me. It’s hot, tiring work and you drive by the water temperature gauge because the Miura is prone to overheating.

Tonight the tour is in Parma. Already two cars are off the road but I can’t help feeling the Lambo technicians will have their work cut out getting everybody to the final destination of Florence.

A iconic car that was ahead of its time, the Miura needs the wide open road to do what it does best. Sadly, not even Italy can offer that these days…

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Miura, Miura, Miura! It’s 50 years of the great Italian supercar

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June 8 Would you like to travel to Italy and drive one of the greatest supercars of all time? Hmm, let me think about that for a nano second.

As sure as Donald Trump’s hair is made of carpet, I was going to be on that plane to Bologna.

Lamborghini is a relatively new company compared to many mainstream car-makers but the Muira gives the company every reason to celebrate.

Not sure what the next few days hold in store – apart from a lot of petrol and Italian cooing.

This trip is a non-stop Lambo fest but I’ll squeeze in as many images of the Miura as I can along the way… Plus a drive of the latest Aventador (pictured) and Hurracan.