Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica Vs. Chevrolet Corvette Z06: Supercar Showdown

After months of rumors and sneaky spy shots, we have finally been presented with the Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica, a slightly less insane version of the epic Huracan STO. With 631 horsepower from its 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10, this is one of the very last atmospheric supercars from Sant'Agata Bolognese. On the other side of the planet, General Motors has been toiling away on the latest version of its Corvette, namely the Z06. Its engineers consider it a true world-beater, and with almost 40 hp more than the Lambo, it seems like a really affordable way to show that you don't need to spend supercar money to experience true exoticism. Or do you? Let's compare these two fantastic machines head to head and find out.

With design elements from numerous past concept cars being integrated into the Huracan Tecnica, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Lamborghini is treating this like the last supercar it will ever pen. Yet, somehow, these varying design flourishes all work to form a cohesive package. Starting at the front, the LED headlights are enclosed by a Y-shaped Ypsilon design that sets the new Huracan apart from all that came before it, and boy, have there been plenty of Huracans. But these elements are not just for show and form part of a first for the Huracan: air curtains. The theme of black accents is picked up again on the side intakes on the profile and in the massive rear diffuser, although this comes in body color as standard. A fixed rear wing sat atop new hexagonal exhaust tips finishes off the dramatic look of the body while 20-inch wheels add a touch more flair.

For the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, GM didn't simply stick a big wing on the rear of the regular Corvette Stingray and call it a day, even if it may appear that way to the casual observer. Rather, each end of the car features a unique fascia, which is something new for the model. At the front, the design contributes to enhanced cooling as it feeds air to one of five radiators in the car. At the back, there's an adjustable wickerbill spoiler as standard, or you can opt for the high wing if you spend a few extra bucks. Another defining trait is that the side intakes are shaped like the Stingray logo. Up to seven wheel choices are on offer with the fronts measuring 20 inches in diameter and the rears 21. Four exhaust exits in the middle of the rear diffuser add drama in much the same way as the rear of the Huracan does but even so, our heart lies with the Lambo. Taste is subjective, so feel free to be infatuated with the Z06 - it's still the best-looking Corvette since the C3.

Just because of its origins, you know that the Lambo will have a special cabin. Swing the doors open and you're not disappointed: Alcantara in a finish made just for the Tecnica abounds and is contrasted by splashes of color that can be had to match the body. Ahead of the driver, a redesigned digital interface conveys all important information while a central touchscreen handles infotainment and climate control duties. Speaking of, the vents have a mesh that matches that of the door speakers. As you'd expect, carbon fiber is evident everywhere and like in a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, you can spec fabric door pulls instead of solid handles. A flat-bottomed steering wheel, toggle switches for primary vehicle functions, and a flap over the engine start/stop button all look as good as they did when the Huracan was revealed in 2014.

The Z06's cabin doesn't look different than that of a regular Stingray, but that's no bad thing. Everything is angled toward the driver, making this feel like a car built for enthusiasts. As in the Italian, a digital cluster and a touchscreen infotainment display are provided. While the overall layout and design may not look particularly new, you do get double stitching, a plethora of Alcantara-covered surfaces, and loads of carbon fiber. Splashes of aluminum break up the cabin nicely and, as with the Huracan Tecnica, a significant number of color options are offered. It all looks very good, but again, the Huracan's cabin just feels far more special. Conversely, a Corvette is much easier to get in and out of than a Huracan, especially if the roof panel is removed. Because practicality shouldn't affect your supercar-buying decision-making process, our vote again goes to the Lambo.

We know that Lamborghini has one more Huracan variant in the works, but it's safe to say that the Tecnica is the very last road-focused model and therefore one of the last recipients of the naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10. Here, it produces 631 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque. Usually, the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission would send power to all four wheels, but this is officially badged as an LP 640-2, meaning only two wheels (the rears, obviously) are driven. Nevertheless, 0-62 mph takes place in 3.2 seconds, meaning a 0-60 time of around three dead. Top speed arrives at 202 mph, but with rear-axle steering, carbon-ceramic brakes, and only a smidge more than 3,000 pounds of curb weight, it's no wonder that Lamborghini encourages you to engage with the car, calling it "the perfect fun-to-drive Huracan."

Although not quite as shrill an aural experience as provided by the Italians, hearing the Z06's engine is still something wondrous. Its 5.5-liter naturally aspirated LT6 V8 boasts a flat-plane crank, meaning that it sounds as exotic as it looks, and although this isn't a European engine, it revs higher and makes more power than the Huracan's. While that peaks at 8,200 rpm, the Z06 will keep pulling until 8,600. Better still, it produces 670 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic handling shifts here too, 0-60 mph is achieved in just 2.6 seconds. Basically, a drag race will see the Z06 leave the Huracan Tecnica behind quicker than you can say, "Yee Haw!"

However, GM has not stated the Z06's top speed and estimates suggest that it won't crack 200 mph. Is it really a supercar if it can't do 200? That's for you to decide, but most of the time, it looks like the Z06 has a fighting chance against the Lambo. On a winding street circuit though, we'd be willing to bet that the 3,800-odd pounds that the Z06 lugs around will work against it.

Pricing and availability for the Huracan Tecnica are both aspects that we are yet to be made privy to, but in light of the fact that the harder-core Huracan STO costs around $330,000 and the Huracan Evo costs up to $260k, we're expecting this, as one of the last Huracans ever, to be somewhere near the $300k mark too. Ouch.

Now comes the moment that all the GM fanboys have been waiting for, the moment where we tell you how many Corvettes you can have for the price of a Lambo. Well, Chevrolet hasn't revealed pricing either, but the general consensus is that this might breach the six-figure mark, although something in the region of $85,000-$90,000 is more likely. Even if it does, and even though you'll probably have to deal with dealer markups, you could have two Z06s and some change for the same as the Tecnica.

Does that mean the Z06 should win? On paper, yes. Kinda. Maybe. But the heart is another story, and if you ask a six-year-old if they want a Lambo or a Chevy, you know what the answer will be. We agree with the kid.