Is that the Dirt road? A man in an old Honda CR-V leans out of his window and clearly has more questions. “That’s right,” I answer. I hit the gas, let the V10 growl for a moment and drive around the corner. This man didn’t really want to chat. He wanted the show and I gave him that. After every day with the off-road theme 2023 Lamborghini Huracán SterratoI have a lot of thoughts and could talk about them for days. So did news editor Joel Stocksdale and editor-in-chief John Beltz Snyder, who also took turns. Somehow we managed to narrow our collective thoughts down to 10.
There’s a lot to unpack…
It’s a V10-powered Huracan with 602 horsepower, a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, lots of carbon fiber, and the familiar wedge-shaped design. The Sterrato gets fender flares, off-road lights, a roof rack, 19-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Dueler rubber, a crazy roof intake, and a carbon fiber hood. It’s lifted 1.73 inches and has skid plates. In short, Lambo decided to build an insane off-roader to mic-drop the Huracán onto the streets. Mission accomplished.
The Sterrato is the ultimate flex
Lambo will only build 1,499 of them, or rather, built them. They’re long gone. All talked about. You’d buy this car if you were already rich, rich with friends, and wanted something different. The hedge fund bros could get on the list for the Huracán, for example. The CEO works out connections to get the Sterrato. Or, if you prefer your analogies from the sports world, the gambler can scrape together enough money for a Lambo. The quarterback gets the Sterrato. With options, this supercar cost $384,394, more than $100 grand more than a comparable 2023 Huracán Technica. We’ll talk about this on a recent episode of the Autoblog Podcast.
Driving is better and worse than you might think
It’s a visceral experience with the V10 growing behind your ears, but when you’re driving around town it’s not as insanely loud as you might think. Floor the throttle and that changes. You also sit lower to the ground than you might expect. Yes, it’s lifted compared to your typical Lambo, but it still feels low. Conversely, the Porsche 911 Dakar that I tested a few weeks ago actually felt elevated and ready for offroading. While we couldn’t take the Sterrato offroad (the press loan prohibited us and other media from doing so), it’s clearly capable. That said, it’s too powerful for most offroading, you can’t see out of the car, and again, it’s pretty low. Which brings me back to my original premise that it’s a flex, rather than a true offroader. But apparently people do it, and it is up to the task.
You have to like the design
More companies should do this. Take your high-performance coupe, lift it up, and prepare it for a rally. Lambo grabbed its legendary wedge and prepared to conquer the desert. People took notice. How could you not? This was a pearlescent papaya of a performance car, complete with stripes and a number 63 on the hood. It has a roof scoop and roof rails, and literally bolt-on fender flares. The tires have real tread blocks. Lamborghini took the most outrageous off-road ideas they could and applied them to an already outrageous-looking car. It makes the Sterrato an excellent brand halo. It may not represent everything Lambo really is, but it is irresistible. If you’re a Lamborghini enthusiast, you know all about Lamborghinis. If you know Lambos, you know the Sterrato.
Sterrato vs Countach
I have been fortunate enough to have a 2016 Huracán at the Horse Thief Mile at Willow Springs (the song is for saleif you are interested) and a 1989 Countach in Miami. It’s hard to rank the Sterrato fairly, since the first two were bucket-list moments I drove on a Monday in the suburbs. That said, it has undeniable Lamborghini charisma. Our tester came in with about 4,700 miles, which means it’s a driver. Sterrato owners: Drive your car like a maniac. That’s what it’s made for; don’t let novelty or rarity hold you back. Trust me, you’ll look cooler driving your Sterrato up the 18th fairway at The Quail in 2026 with a little mud on it.
And now I give the floor to Mr Stocksdale…
It’s the most carefree Huracán to drive… almost
Though it’s designed for dirt roads, most of the changes make the Sterrato a lot less stressful on the road. The extra ground clearance means you don’t have to worry about scraping your way out of a driveway, or fumbling with a slow-moving nose-lift system. The huge plastic fender flares offer some protection from wide-open car doors. And the extra rubber means less chance of a flat tire or bent wheel. It’s even practical for long-distance driving with those extra roof racks. If it weren’t for that roof scoop that obstructs your rearward vision and makes changing lanes a little daunting, this would be the undeniably perfect everyday Huracán.
The best part is that it makes you and everyone else laugh
From the moment I picked it up to the moment I shut it off for the last time, the Sterrato had me grinning and giggling. It’s silly in the absolute best way, starting with the looks we’ve already discussed. And then that engine. Oh, that engine. Even when you’re cruising along, you can hear the hiss and gurgling of that roof scoop, and when the exhaust opens up, it howls louder and more urgently all the way past 8,000rpm. And it just keeps pulling harder. Lift off and you get firework-level bangs, at least in Corsa and Rally modes. Literally every time I went through this loop, I laughed. Everyone wants to see it too. As Greg said at the top, everyone turns and looks. One time, petrol stationa construction worker across the road urged me to get on it. The Sterrato delivers the most important thing a supercar must do: It must ensure that you and everyone around you have fun.
And now for Mr. Snyder’s final thoughts…
It made me funny
After making the long drive home from Greg’s driveway to mine, I felt strangely buzzed as I stepped out of the car. It was as if my skin were vibrating and I felt strangely taller and perhaps a little dizzy as I walked into my house. After putting some miles on the Sterrato, I had become accustomed to the bombardment of the senses, from the rapid changes in speed, to the sound and feel of the V10 harmonies, to the super-low seating position and the heightened awareness required when driving such an extraordinary car with such limited visibility. Once that was all over, I had to get used to the gentle act of walking slowly on solid ground again. I’ve only gotten that strange “Alice in Wonderland” feeling after driving one other car: the Ferrari 458 Italy. I could get used to that.
The tires are ridiculous
W-rated all-terrains … Why do I find this so funny? These Bridgestone Dueler A/T002 run-flat tires are hard to believe, much like the Sterrato itself. They’re just … cool. Just look at them. Regardless, they suit the car well, feel stable at speed, and are quite comfortable even on our less-than-ideal Michigan pavement. I’d love to take them off-road or through the snow just to get the experience, but this was one of those rare opportunities that may never come again.
It is child friendly
Look. There’s the LATCH anchor. It’s easier to find and use than in many pickups I’ve driven.
But seriously, kids go crazy for this. My driveway has Bentley’s, Porsche’s, Ferrarisrare Mustangs, Will understand …all the cars a kid could have a poster of, if kids still bought car posters at the school book fair. The only other cars that come close to this one Lamborghini As for kids going crazy for it, the C8 Corvette and the dump truck I brought one home once. I get it. It’s the ultimate status symbol, whether a kid is obsessed with YouTubers, popular music, or their car journalist dad. The fact that this Sterrato looks the way it does, with its orange paint, wild decals, and off-road paraphernalia, only makes it more stunning when you drive by. After months of hearing my son and his friends talk about their dream cars — all Lambos — I’ve seen the excitement with my own eyes. It’s just as satisfying to see the faces of future car enthusiasts light up when they see it, as it is to actually drive it.