2018 Lamborghini Huracán

This car, Lot 161, sold for $965,908, including buyer’s premium, at RM Sotheby’s Monaco auction on May 12, 2018.

Our subject vehicle, a white 2018 Lamborghini Huracán RWD coupe, sold well above the €250,000–€350,000 ($298k–$418k) estimate. Indeed, this was no ordinary Huracán, as Lamborghini custom-built the car as a gift for Pope Francis.

RM Sotheby’s presented this Huracán in as-new condition; it was professionally warehoused after it was manufactured in late 2017. The Vatican has had a variety of specialty vehicles over the years, including a customized Mercedes Geländewagen complete with an elevated bulletproof glass platform — but no car that ever graced the Vatican garage can compare to the Huracán.

Not an orthodox Lamborghini

Lamborghini’s Ad Personam program heavily customized this Euro-spec Huracán. Painted in papal livery — white (Bianco Monocerus) with gold stripes (Giallo Tiberino) — Pope Francis’ Huracán rides on 20-inch Giano wheels and has massive Nero brake calipers.

The interior matches the Vatican flag and is covered in soft Bianco Leda Sportivo leather with precision-stitched Lamborghini crests in the headrests. Topping off this custom factory package is Pope Francis’ prominent signature on the hood.

Nothing about the Lamborghini Huracán is Old Testament. This vehicle is an ultra-modern supercar that is capable of ungodly speeds. The Huracán is the hallowed successor to the Gallardo and has a list price of about $220,000. The 5.2-liter, 10-cylinder engine produces 602 horsepower and is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The car can reach speeds of more than 200 mph.

Publisher Martin’s temptation

Awhile back, Publisher Martin spent a fast weekend test driving a Huracán (August 2016, “Shifting Gears,” p. 18).

Martin marveled at its incredible power and versatility and speculated at what it might have been like to put his foot deep into this Italian supercar.

Given his testimony, it is easy to infer that Keith may have pushed the “F-16 on wheels” just slightly over the local speed limits. In the review he indicated that at high speed the car becomes more stable the faster it is driven. He reported that ergonomically it was an awkward car to enter and exit; however, around town and at slow speeds it was a “docile city car.” Even without the papal pedigree, Keith’s plebian Huracán appeared to be a very impressive performer. Here is what Publisher Martin had this to say about his biblical (if not potentially sinful) experience with the Huracán:

“More guided-missile than car, it’s a purpose-built machine designed to gobble up huge amounts of pavement in insanely small amounts of time. Like a thoroughbred horse, its flanks get sweaty when it is pushed, and its muscles begin to bulge. This is a car that looks good when it gets dusty. The steering is light and purposeful, and the gearbox is a delight.”

Publisher Martin’s purplish prose is a de facto confession of falling into temptation and sinning on a lonely road — where no one could see him. But who are we to judge?

An ecclesiastical auction

After a few months of ownership — but no driving — Pope Francis decided to sell the Huracán and donate the proceeds to charity. The majority of the funds from the sale were earmarked to help a besieged city in Iraq that has been ravaged by ISIS. Profits were also allocated to charities that support Africa, India and the Vatican.

Given the staggering results of this auction, a wave of highly spirited bidding must have captured the imagination of every bishop, pastor, deacon, cardinal, minister and priest within a thousand miles of Monaco — the hammer fell at almost $1 million.

The buyer, Rent Car Deluxe, is a high-end Spanish rental-car agency that offers exotics, such as Ferraris, McLarens and Audis, to its clients.

Victor Masip, the company’s marketing, and communications director, said that the papal Huracán rental fee would not be based on a traditional rental arrangement. Instead, he stated, “We want people to suggest a price.” It is expected that the going rate for this blessed Huracán will be at least €3,500 (about $4,084) per day.

The sale of this car was for a good cause, and the buyer bought a unique supercar that was owned, blessed and signed by Pope Francis himself. While paying more than 300% over MSRP may seem like heresy, SCM’s John Draneas noted that under U.S. law, the buyer would be entitled to a meaningful charitable deduction.

In the United States, the deductible amount would reflect the hammer price less the market value of the car — yielding a tax-benefit to the buyer of over $750,000. However, European tax codes may differ from our rules here in the United States (the auction occurred in Monaco, and the buyer is based in Spain).

A secular alternative

For a fraction of the cost of buying the pontiff’s Lamborghini, a more economical alternative might consist of purchasing a business-class airline ticket to Madrid, staying at a great hotel on the Calle de Serrano, drinking a fine Rioja from a chalice — and renting the papal Huracán.

If you are so inclined, go ahead and reserve the pope’s Lamborghini here: www.rentcardeluxe.com

Go ahead. Give in to the temptation. It will surely be a religious experience. ♦

(Introductory description courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.)