Then again, you wouldn鈥檛 expect anything less from Lamborghini, would you? Lamborghini creates the Evo by taking the V10 engine from the existing Huracan Performante and installing it in to an aluminium and carbonfibre chassis that is the most technologically advanced of any in a Lamborghini. At the core of the Huracan Evo is a new electronics package called Lamborghini Dynamic Vehicle Integration (LDVI). LDVI works by controlling these four key dynamic components of the chassis via an algorithm that takes just 20 milliseconds to process the data received before predicting how the driver requires the systems to react. It鈥檚 called a Feed Forward Logic approach, one that learns your characteristics on steering input, gearshift patterns, braking and the grip and traction available from the tyres. Key to LDVI are two new components fitted to a Huracan for the first time: four-wheel steering and torque vectoring. A sharp new look comes courtesy of the Huracan Evo鈥檚 aerodynamics.
Its new front splitter incorporates an integrated, suspended front wing to disperse the air over and under the car as cleanly and as fast as possible. Air curtains in the new front bumper reduce turbulence in the front wheel arches, channelling it directly to the engine intakes ahead of the rear wheels. At the base of the engine cover is a new rear slotted spoiler that splits the airflow over and under it, the former to provide the downforce, the latter creating a Venturi effect to draw the air through more quickly. A new rear diffuser sucks the air under the car quicker than before and combined with the aero enhancements, increases downforce by a factor of seven over the previous Huracan. In terms of design, it鈥檚 so much more aggressive than the outgoing car. As impressive as this all sounds, and is, what continually fights for your attention is the car鈥檚 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine. Flick the red cover. Press the button. Wait. Gone is the anodyne tone of the previous Huracan鈥檚 engine note, in its place a more rampant, vocal, deep chested roar. You can thank the Performante鈥檚 sports exhaust system for the amplified vocals and it鈥檚 just what every Huracan requires. Pass the exit lane before selecting second鈥?third鈥?apply more throttle and the Evo is off. Fourth is needed before the first corner and a leap of faith as you turn-in and the Huracan whips its nose to the apex in one beautifully fluid motion. 300 metres covered and already the new Huracan鈥檚 chassis has made its predecessor feel obsolete. With every lap the Huracan Evo impresses more and more. It has the level of agility and precision that was lacking in the old car.
It鈥檚 now located above the central air vents with fewer buttons, giving the dash a cleaner appearance. The other big news for 2019 is an optional GT Sport steering wheel that comes directly form the Porsche 911. This 3-spoke wheel has a smaller diameter than the standard Macan wheel and is wrapped in Alcantara leather. For Macan models with the Sport Chrono Package, the GT Sport steering wheel includes the same driving mode selector dial seen on the latest 911s and Panameras. The 2019 Macan鈥檚 larger 10.9-inch touchscreen combines with new connected capability to give the SUV a series of advanced features. These include Porsche Communication Management (PCM) internet-based functions, like faster navigation routing and predictive capabilities based on past trips. The updated Porsche Connect app also allows drivers to enter a destination on their phone and synchronize it with the Macan鈥檚 nav system. The app lets drivers locate their Macan, remotely lock or unlock its doors, and check items like fuel range, oil level or upcoming vehicle maintenance. Other existing features, like traffic jam assist, have been updated for the 2019 Macan.
New this year, the Macan can come to a complete stop in heavy traffic and initiate movement again if it鈥檚 stopped for less than 3 seconds. If longer, the system can be re-engaged with a brief press on the accelerator rather than using the control stalk. The system now incorporates steering input, meaning it will keep the Macan in its lane at speeds below 40 mph. Additional options for the 2019 Porsche Macan include Apple CarPlay, rear window sun blinds, an ionizer for improved cabin filtration, a heated windshield and thermally enhanced glass with noise reduction. The latter uses a film within the laminated glass to block almost 100 percent of harmful UV rays while reducing outside noise. The 2019 Porsche Macan competes in the compact luxury SUV category, one of the hottest segments in today鈥檚 market. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Audi Q5, BMW X4, Land Rover Range Rover Velar and Mercedes-Benz GLC offer a similar size and performance at roughly the same (or slightly lower) price. The Audi Q5, which shares some platform elements with the Macan, is Kelley Blue Book鈥檚 pick for a 2019 Best Buy award in the compact luxury SUV category. The Q5 is beautiful inside and out while providing an excellent blend of performance, comfort and technology.
If that sounds like a brave new world, we鈥檝e news for you: the scenarios described above are all possible, and we鈥檝e tried out some of the schemes currently available to see how they work. We鈥檙e talking about the dealership of the future; the dealership that comes to your house. We start by asking for a car to be delivered to our home courtesy of Mazda鈥檚 MyWay. Set up in 2015 for customers who don鈥檛 live near a dealer, the internet-based scheme asks you to book a time slot online. Then, a gleaming Mazda 6 pulls up outside our house. Senior MyWay brand champion Yaqub Begh starts off with a five-point tour of the 6, pointing out features introduced by the model鈥檚 recent facelift. He shows us the space in the rear seats and the boot, before opening the driver鈥檚 door for us to climb in. The test drive is next, and when you鈥檙e motoring on familiar roads, you can concentrate more closely on the way a model behaves. We know, for example, how our personal car copes with a specific pothole; driving over the same imperfection in the 6 reveals its impressive ride.