The year 2022 has been an interesting one for auto enthusiasts; in the midst of governing bodies worldwide cracking down on fuel economy and emissions standards, and car manufacturers committing to transition most of their lineups (if not every model they make) to electric vehicles, we’ve seen some remarkably unique, exciting sports cars unveiled lately. At the LA Auto Show this year, Porsche unveiled their 911 Dakar, a tribute and homage to the great rally 911s of decades past. This was an expected move from them, as Porsche had teased the Dakar several times in the months prior to its’ unveiling. What is more surprising, then, is that Lamborghini appears to have followed suit, and unveiled their very own off-road supercar: the Huracan Sterrato. These two vehicles are really the only ones of their kind on the market, which begs the question: how do they compare to each other?
Huracan Sterrato
The first thing you’ll notice about the new Huracan Sterrato, as with most other new Lamborghinis, is its’ appearance. It is every bit as striking and aggressive as you’d want, and it takes the already-menacing-looking Huracan to the next level. Most notably, the Sterrato is immediately recognizable by the two additional auxiliary lights mounted on either side of the Raging Bull on the front hood. Wider fender flares and aggressive, straked running boards belie the ride height; the Sterrato rides 1.7” higher than the normal Huracan, but doesn’t look goofy or top-heavy. Additionally, Lamborghini engineers have also increased the track width in the front and rear by 1.2” and 1.3”, respectively. This should enable it to feel a bit more planted, despite the extra ground clearance.
From a sheer power standpoint, the Lamborghini has a significant power advantage over the Porsche, with its V10 motor churning out a whopping 602 horsepower, a number that is actually a good bit lower than the figures on the standard Huracan. Ostensibly, this is done to help controllability in the dirt. Lamborghini has also fitted the Sterrato with a few purpose-built modifications for off-road use, such as a rooftop-mounted snorkel to provide clean air and two low-profile cargo rails. Much like the Porsche, it also features modified bodywork and cladding to protect against rocks and trail debris, including the aforementioned wider wheel wells and running boards. A notable difference between the Sterrato and the road-focused Huracans is in the programming; while the average Huracan has a user-selectable Corsa mode for track use, the Sterrato replaces that with an actual Rally mode for off-road driving
Those interested in owning a Sterrato of their own should move fast; only 1,499 will be produced in 2023. Official pricing is forthcoming, but even at an anticipated price of over $300,000, these will sell like hotcakes, just like the other end-of-life special editions of Lamborghinis of yore.
911 Dakar
Much like the Sterrato, the Dakar rides high; in fact, the 911 Dakar boasts more than 3 inches of ground clearance over a standard 911. This appears to give it the advantage in terms of ground clearance, and probably suspension travel, too. The factory-custom engine is good for 473 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, which propel the 911 Dakar to 60 miles per hour in just 3.2 seconds. Like the Huracan, the Dakar is all-wheel drive. They also both have their top speeds electronically limited due to those all-terrain tires and increased ride heights.
Cosmetically, the Dakar does feel like more of a complete rally package than the Sterrato. Porsche has put a substantial amount of effort into developing a complete line of purpose-built accessories for the Dakar, including a roof rack, gas carrier, recovery boards, and even a rooftop tent. Only 2,500 examples will ever be made of the Dakar, and prices will start at $222,000, meaning that while there will be more of these made than the Sterrato, these will always be rare and sought-after cars that will likely have future collectability (remember the 911 R)? For more in-depth info on the 911 Dakar, be sure to check out our other articles that take a deeper dive into the technical specifications.
German or Italian?
Which one of these off-road supercars reigns supreme? Well, the ultimate victor will likely come down to personal preference. Both cars offer tremendous pedigree and racing heritage, and have more than a few features in common: all-terrain tires, lifted suspensions, and all-wheel drive. Most will likely agree that the Dakar is a bit more “authentic,” and truly born of decades of rally experience. The Sterrato will serve as a final send-off for the beloved Huracan, as Lamborghini seeks to update the platform with a hybrid powertrain and will discontinue the model next year. The Huracan will end its production run on top as the best-selling Lamborghini ever. In the end, neither of these vehicles was designed to rock crawl like a Land Cruiser or a Defender, but in terms of sheer fun and driving pleasure, it’s hard to believe that either of these radical supercars will have a hard time putting a smile on your face.
