Replacing a model with a new-generation car is never easy, despite technological advances and the massive amount of time invested in development. Such a mission can become thoroughly complicated when the vehicle in question is the Lamborghini Gallardo,->ke375 the best-selling and one of the longest-running supercars->ke177 in the brand's history. More so given the nameplate spawned a successful race car that's still competitive in 2015.

Whether Lambo->ke44 will manage to successfully replace the Gallardo with the Huracan->ke4345 is something we won't find out very soon, but the Italians have taken yet another step in that direction. Having already launched the race-ready 2015 Huracan GT3, Lamborghini is now working on a lighter, more powerful, and more aerodynamic supercar for the road. I'm talking about the Huracan Superleggera, which employs a concept the company introduced in 2007. Our skilled paparazzi just caught the upcoming Superleggera in action in Europe, which basically tells us the Hurcan family will expand to include another member soon.

Lamborghini is, of course, mum on the details, but it's obvious this prototype isn't a Spyder or a new track-only version, which leaves the Superleggera as the best option here. The official debut is expected to happen just in time for the 2016 model year, but it probably won't happen earlier than the fourth quarter of 2015.

As we wait for more info on that, let's have a look at the prototype and find out what makes it a Superleggera.

Continue reading to learn more about the Lamborghini Huracan LP640-4 Superleggera.

Lamborghini Huracan LP640-4 Superleggera - spy shots

Although Lamborghini was pretty clever to use livery from the GT3 car to camouflage this Huracan, it takes more than a couple of "Castrol" and "Blancpain" logos to fool me. A quick peek at the Huracan's front and rear fascia provide me with plenty of hints as to why this supercar is a road-legal vehicle rather than a racer.->ke148

First, the front bumper is plain stock. "That doesn't prove much," some of you might say, but you should know that the Superleggera was never about an extremely different design. Sure, the standard apron will be replaced by carbon-fiber blade-like pieces and maybe a larger splitter, but it's probably too early for these feature to appear on the prototype. If anything, Lambo is testing a range of new components that will make the Huracan lighter than standard.

Second, the rear features a cut-out section between the main upper grille and the diffuser that's not present on the regular Huracan. The piece wears some sort of camouflage, but not enough to hide the metal mesh and the two exhaust pipes behind it. Is the Superleggera getting six outlets? Heck, no! I strongly believe the four pipes in the diffuser aren't connected to the engine on this mule and will be removed from the production model, leaving room for a sexier, motorsport-inspired diffuser.

A third hint lies behind the wheels in the form of larger-than-usual brake calipers. A larger brake system makes sense on a supercar that's more powerful and faster, as well as tuned for those exciting track weekends Superleggera customers usually attend. Needless to say, this prototype misses an array of aero bits, including a fixed rear wing, but these features should appear as development moves forward.

Be sure to check our speculative review for more info on the Superleggera by clicking here.

Why it matters

The fact that Lamborghini is working on the Huracan Superleggera is by no means surprising. We already knew it was coming and speculated over what it may bring to the performance table back in March 2015. Our rendering artist made a rendering of the car as well, and I expect it to be spot on. That said, these spy shots->ke166 are just confirmation that Lamborghini is already elbows deep into a faster Huracan and that the Superleggera will make its public debut by the end of 2015.