He takes delivery of his €400,000 Lamborghini Temerario... and discovers that it costs €12,000 a year to upgrade the V8 to a V10.

Since the end of 2025, the first deliveries of the Lamborghini Temerario have begun in Europe. This new model, destined to replace the legendary Huracán, marks a major turning point for the Sant'Agata Bolognese brand.

Gone is the iconic naturally-aspirated V10, replaced by an entirely new era with a V8 plug-in hybrid already developing 920 hp. A technological evolution embraced by Lamborghini, which is part of the current trend towards electrified downsizing. But for a European owner, this transition has taken an unexpected turn.

A hidden menu that changes everything

A few days after taking delivery of his brand-new Temerario, this customer decided to explore his vehicle's multimedia system in detail. While browsing the advanced menus, an increasingly rich feature among premium and luxury automakers, he came across an intriguing option: “Performance Upgrade - V10 Mode”. Intrigued, he clicks.

Then a message appears, detailing a feature hitherto unknown to the general public: the possibility of activating two additional cylinders, usually deactivated, thus transforming the V8 hybrid into... a V10. Yes, a V10.

“Frankly, I was stunned. I configured my car for months, added every possible option... and the bill came to over €400,000. And now I discover that I still have to pay €12,000 a year to unlock two cylinders? We're talking about a Lamborghini, not a smartphone... The worst thing is that, technically, the cylinders are already there. They're just deactivated. So in reality, I'm driving with a V10... voluntarily bridled.”

Real technology... taken to the extreme

On paper, the explanation seems almost credible. For several years now, many automakers have been using cylinder deactivation systems to reduce fuel consumption. Alfa Romeo, for example, already uses this principle on its V6 Quadrifoglio engines.

In the case of the Temerario, Lamborghini is said to have taken the concept one step further: the V8 is actually based on a V10 architecture, with two cylinders remaining deactivated in standard operation. This approach would optimize both performance and emissions... while keeping a reserve of power under foot.

60 extra horses... but at what price?

Activation of this famous “V10 Mode” is not free, however. According to the information displayed on the vehicle's screen, this option is offered in the form of an annual subscription... at a cost of €12,000.

Once activated, the system's total power would rise from 920 hp to 980 hp, with a sound announced as “closer to Lamborghini's historic DNA”. A simple click is all it takes to radically transform the car's character.

A strategy reminiscent of other manufacturers

While this discovery may seem surprising, it is in fact part of a very real trend in the automotive industry. In recent years, a number of automakers have begun to offer paid-for features on a subscription basis. Mercedes, for example, made a name for itself with an option called “Acceleration Increase”, enabling the performance of certain EQ electric models to be unbridled for around $1,200 a year. In this context, the idea of a remotely-activated “bridled” engine no longer seems totally unrealistic.

One revolution too many?

The question remains: how far can manufacturers go with this logic? For some enthusiasts, the idea of having to pay a subscription fee to fully exploit the mechanical potential of a Lamborghini may be hard to accept, especially for a vehicle already sold at a particularly high price. Others, on the contrary, will see it as a new form of personalization, allowing them to adapt their car to their desires... and to their budget. 🐟