Lamborghini Life - Living The Dream

The chance to drive a Lamborghini had never presented itself, so my excitement at an invitation was immeasurable. Pop over to Leeds, view their new dealership, drive thorough the Yorkshire Dales, an overnight stay and back the next day.

The reality was even better than I could possibly have hoped for. Firstly, a dry 24 hours was forecast after what seemed like weeks of rain and secondly the overnight halt was to be at a hotel I had always wanted to stay at – The Yorke Arms at Ramsgill near Pateley Bridge.

Some would say it is a brave move to open a supercar dealership in the current uncertain economic climate, but the Scottish Parks Group seemed outwardly confident that their Yorkshire customer base was strong enough to justify the investment.

They have had a little practice run, as Lamborghini Leeds sits on the same site as their McLaren dealership. What a lovely dilemma to face… turn left for McLaren, right for Lamborghini! Perhaps their wealthy clients will have large enough garages for both Sant’ Agata and Woking exotica.

The day began behind the wheel of a red Huracan Spyder, not a bad place to start. A quick blast down the A1M was uneventful, but as we were part of a seven-car convoy, there were plenty of admiring glances. Road noise drowned out any realistic chance of a conversation with my driving companion, so it was a chance to settle into the cockpit and relax.

Our route took us through some of the wealthiest parts of Yorkshire (planned?) and whilst stuck in traffic in Harrogate, I lowered the roof. Two reasons - firstly I do like driving al fresco and secondly, I wanted to be able to hear the delightful sounds of the V10 engine at full chat.

Heated seat on, heater turned up to full blast, the drive across the moors to Skipton was still a tad chilly and I was pleased to arrive at Broughton Hall for lunch.
The formal dining room was made available to our excited party and there was the chance to explore this fine country house. Having done this before, I used my time to photograph the cars and see what delights awaited later in the day.

Aventador was next on the list, thankfully with a roof so no pressure to be exposed to the elements. Sat in the passenger seat for the first time, there was no doubt that the Aventador screams mad, bad supercar for more than its ‘little’ Huracan sister. However, behind the crazy exterior is a car that is less pleasant to drive and probably slower in the real world despite a distinct power advantage and two extra cylinders.

The gearbox lacks the immediacy of the latest twin-clutch units and there is a frustrating interruption in acceleration as the box shuffles into the next ratio…

Ribblehead Viaduct provided another excellent photo opportunity before we roared off towards Hawes on some of my favourite driving roads.

With some members of our convoy driving a little more sedately, it was no surprise that we were soon separated and continued to Ramsgill unaccompanied.

The Yorke Arms lived up to its enviable reputation and the eight-course tasting menu was a veritable delight. A modicum of wine to accompany ensured a restful night’s sleep.

The next day was all about the Urus, an undoubtedly capable and luxurious SUV with a hint of sporting flair. I think I would want a little more excitement for my £160k and would probably be just as content with the Audi SQ8 camera car which accompanied us on our travels. Half the price and it looked decidedly menacing in black.

So good luck to Lamborghini Leeds, a friendly bunch. If my EuroMillions numbers come up one Friday evening, I may well pay you a visit. A Huracan Spyder will be my heart’s desire, but please fit a more powerful heater. It’s cold oop north!

Fast Facts

Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder
Price: £198,876
5,204cc V10 Engine
610PS and 560Nm
7-speed dual clutch auto
0-62mph in 3.4 seconds
Top speed 201mph
Combined economy 22.6mpg
Emissions 290g/km CO2