Move Over, Ferrari: The Lamborghini Temerario Has Claimed the Crown as the Fastest Internal Combustion Car We’ve Ever Tested
While an electric powerhouse may edge out the Temerario in a drag race, it simply cannot replicate the raw adrenaline rush provided by the 10,250-rpm V-8 of Lamborghini’s revolutionary newcomer.
The supercar landscape has undergone a seismic shift. Lamborghinitoday solidified its dominance by claiming the title of the quickest vehicle with an internal combustion engine in MotorTrend’s extensive history of testing. The legendary Sant’Agata Bolognese marque’s new “starter” supercar, boasting an astonishing 907 hp, just clocked an electrifying 9.58-second quarter-mile time at a blistering 148.5 mph, narrowly outperforming the formidable 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano by a mere 0.03 seconds.
Let’s be clear: we are well aware that there are electric vehicles (EVs) that will undoubtedly leave the Temerario in the dust during a direct comparison. The Tesla Model S Plaid, the Lucid Air Sapphire, and several variants of the Porsche Taycan Turbo have all registered faster times in MotorTrend’s rigorous testing procedures. However, none of these technological marvels can begin to compete with the sheer visceral drama and intoxicating emotion that the Lamborghini delivers. The Temerario’s groundbreaking plug-in hybrid powertrain is a symphony of engineering, harmonizing the immediate low-end torque of three electric motors with the sustained top-end pull of a twin-turbo, flat-plane-crank 4.0-liter V-8 engine—creating a wild and unforgettable thrill ride.
Unleashing the Bull: The Lamborghini Temerario’s Performance
Lamborghini is nothing short of a master of supercar theater. For the absolute fastest runs, the driver activates the steering wheel-mounted knobs, selecting the aggressive Corsa handling mode and the highly reactive Performance powertrain mode, then presses the small, iconic checkered-flag button to engage launch control. Standing firmly on both pedals, the engine immediately spins to 4,000 rpm, followed by a rocket-like launch with controlled fury. The all-four Bridgestone Potenza Race tires shriek off the line, the V-8 screams its way up to an ear-splitting 10,250 rpm, and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission rips off a brutally efficient upshift into second gear. The tires chirp again, and the entire process repeats, pushing the driver back into their seat with relentless force.
How Fast Is the Lamborghini Temerario’s 0–60 MPH Time?
You simply don’t achieve a 9.6-second quarter-mile time by dawdling off the starting line. The Temerario launches from 0–60 mph in a mind-bending 2.2 seconds. While incredibly swift, this is still not enough to be the absolute quickest among cars powered by combustion engines. The Lambo currently sits in third place on our all-time records list for vehicles with internal combustion engines, trailing the Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano and the 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S. However, the lead is just within reach. The Temerario hits 100 mph in a mere 4.6 seconds, by which point the Lamborghini has already overtaken both the Ferrari and the Porsche.
The Weight of Hybrid Technology: Braking Performance
When it comes time to scrub off the immense velocity, the standard carbon-ceramic brakes haul the Temerario to a stop from 60 mph in an impressive 96 feet. While respectable, this figure does not quite match the spectacular acceleration numbers. The plug-in hybrid powertrain is almost certainly working against Lamborghini in terms of braking performance. Our test vehicle was equipped with the $84,100 Alleggerita package, which shaved an impressive 55 pounds off the total weight, yet the car still tipped the scales at a substantial 4,185 pounds.
As is the case with the acceleration times, increasing the velocity puts the Lambo’s performance in the best possible light. Stopping from 100 mph in 266 feet, the Temerario ties for 12th place on our list of thousands of vehicles tested over the years.
Mastering the Bull: Handling and Dynamics
MotorTrend’s figure-eight course is the ultimate benchmark for testing a car’s true performance capabilities. It ingeniously combines cornering prowess, braking stability, and acceleration efficiency into a single lap, revealing profound insights into a car’s dynamics in both objective and subjective terms. Pushed to its absolute limits, the Temerario clings to corners with 1.14 g of grip on its way to completing a lap in 22.3 seconds. This places it 0.7 seconds behind our current record holder, which is actually a three-way tie between the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, the 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring, and the 2022 McLaren 765LT Spider.
The Temerario’s lap time matches records set by the 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, the 2025 Lucid Air Sapphire, and two of its (significantly lighter) predecessors: the 2020 Huracán Evo AWD (weighing 3,645 pounds) and the 2021 Huracán STO (weighing 3,390 pounds).
We often frame the figure-eight results with a secondary metric—the average g-force resulting from acceleration, braking, and cornering experienced throughout the entire lap. The Temerario’s 1.05 g indicates that for the duration of the lap, the driver is subjected to forces stronger than Earth’s gravity, whether being pushed forward by the engine, pinned against their seatbelt, or pressed against the bolstering.
While the Temerario’s performance numbers are undeniably impressive, arguably the most significant takeaway from testing this revolutionary vehicle is that Lamborghini has not sacrificed an exhilarating experience in the relentless pursuit of objective performance metrics. In Corsa mode, everything remains razor-sharp and composed for focused fast laps, but the Lambo truly comes alive in Sport mode, exhibiting playful yet easily controllable rotation. And for those seeking ultimate control and flair, the three-stage Drift mode sets the car up for spectacular slides with ease. The Lamborghini Temerario is the epitome of a high-octane cocktail of pure adrenaline, raw passion, and unwavering performance, engineered for drivers who crave the ultimate driving experience.
Stay tuned for our full road test of the Lamborghini Temerario, where we will delve even deeper into what makes this supercar a game-changer for 2026.
