The combination of rain and an ultra-fast circuit isn’t ideal when you’re about to strap in for your first drive of a 640-horsepower rear-wheel-drive hypercar. But there’s no overruling the weather gods, so it’s time to put on big-boy pants and hit the perilous Nardo Handling Track in the sinister black Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica prototype crouching in the pit lane.
What exactly is the Huracan Tecnica? In a nutshell, it’s a bridging model between the entry-level Huracan Evo RWD and hardcore Huracan STO. Although harnessing the same 640hp V10 and rear-drive format as the STO, the Tecnica dials back the aggression to yield a more user-friendly daily drive.
Stylistically, it represents the most substantial revamp for the Huracan to date, and it’s distinguished by heavily revised bodywork and aero addenda that deliver 35 per cent more downforce than the Huracan Evo. Yet its visuals don’t smack you in the face as with the scooped and bewinged STO.
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
The Tecnica’s new front bumper incorporates the Terzo Millennio’s black “Ypsilon” design and features an air curtain for the first time in a Huracan. There’s also a new front splitter with open slats that directs air through the wheel arches, contributing to improved downforce and brake cooling, according to Lamborghini.
The vehicle also gets bespoke suspension settings to deliver a ride-handling balance that makes it more usable in real-world conditions than the stiffly suspended STO. In addition, the LDVI (Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata) electronic brain that controls the drivetrain and chassis has been recalibrated for the Tecnica.
The big takeaway from The National’s track session is of how balanced and securely planted the Huracan Tecnica is
So much for the raw ingredients. We want to glean whether they add up to a fast and rewarding hypercar. Today’s exercise involves strapping into the Tecnica and chasing Lamborghini’s resident pro driver, Mario Fasanetto, around the challenging 6.22-kilometre Nardo track.
Nardo is a technically demanding circuit, replete with numerous elevation changes, scary blind crests and an assortment of fast and slow corners. Unlike most racetracks, which are billiard-table-smooth, the tarmac here is littered with bumps that result in drivers and occupants being bounced around as though they’re in a popcorn machine.
The track throws up some fast corners where you carry big speeds, but there are also a couple of 180-degree hairpins where you need to get the car rotated before standing on the gas. The rear-wheel-steer really helps here, meaning you don’t have to wind on armloads of steering lock to get the car turned in.
Lamborghini’s 5.2-litre V10 motor has been around for more than a decade, yet it still remains one of the sweetest, most sonorous power plants offered in any vehicle. The 90-degree V10’s peak power figure of 640hp comes on tap at 8,000rpm, and it sings its way to these lofty revs with joyful vigour.
A maximum torque of 565Nm also arrives high in the rev range (6,500rpm), yet the V10 doesn’t feel sluggish down low as the torque curve is impressively flat; there’s 440Nm an ankle twitch away even at 2,000rpm, enabling the car to slingshot away from the two hairpins at Nardo.
The big takeaway from The National’s track session is of how balanced and securely planted the Huracan Tecnica is. On paper, a rear-drive 640hp supercar on a wet track equates to a white-knuckle experience, but that’s not the case here. The Tecnica’s vast performance envelope is safely accessible by even moderately competent drivers.
The Huracan Tecnica is up against stellar rivals such as the Ferrari F8 Tributo and McLaren 720S, but weighing in the Lambo’s favour are its user-friendly dynamics, epic V10 motor and beautifully cohesive styling. These make its Maranello and Woking rivals look a tad gawky – even if they’re ultimately faster in a straight line, and perhaps even around a racetrack.
There’s also the added lure of owning a potential collectible, as the current-gen Huracan is the last Lambo supercar to be purely combustion-powered. Its eventual successor will go down the hybrid route to meet ever-tightening emission standards.
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier
Fixtures
Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
Saturday, April 13, UAE v Nepal
Monday, April 15, UAE v Kuwait
Tuesday, April 16, UAE v Singapore
Thursday, April 18, UAE v Oman
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Aaron Benjamin, Akasha Mohammed, Alishan Sharafu, Anand Kumar, Ansh Tandon, Ashwanth Valthapa, Karthik Meiyappan, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Rishab Mukherjee, Niel Lobo, Osama Hassan, Vritya Aravind, Wasi Shah
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: Eghel De Pine, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Sheaar, Szczepan Mazur, Saeed Al Shamsi
6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA) Group 3 Dh500,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Torch, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,600m | Winner: Forjatt, Chris Hayes, Nicholas Bachalard
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,400m | Winner: Hawafez, Connor Beasley, Ridha ben Attia
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Qader, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roaulle
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Greenwood 77')
Everton 1 (Lindelof 36' og)
Read more about the coronavirus
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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Benedict Wells
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
Sceptre
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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The five pillars of Islam
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The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
