June 27, 2011. Copyright 2011, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Lamborghini Aventador -- unusable performance at a massive price
By Neil Winton

LONDON, June 27, Graphic News:  The mere existence of over-the-top sports cars like the new Lamborghini Aventador might be too much for some, who may see this car as a mindless squandering of scarce resources for no particular gain.

The fact that the Aventador was named after a particularly brave bull, cited for outstanding courage in the Saragossa Arena in 1993 before being killed, might not help the car’s case much either, but what is undeniable is its cutting edge technology, mind-blowing performance, and world-class quality.

The price is a staggering 255,000 euros in Europe before taxes. For this you get a 6.5 litre, V-12 petrol engine developing 690hp which flings the car from rest to 62mph-100km/h in 2.9 seconds, and on to 218mph-350km/h if you happen to be in unrestricted Germany or more likely on a race track.

The Aventador’s latest technology includes a carbon fibre body with the entire occupant cell built as one component, ensuring extreme rigidity and a high level of passive safety for the driver and passenger; great for crash survival, and possibly for when the revolution comes. The Italian carmaker also uses lots of aluminium in the Aventador, borrowed from its parent company Audi, in turn owned by Germany’s VW. This slashes weight big-time. The Aventador has a robotized, seven speed gearbox similar to Formula One cars. The suspension is also borrowed from Grand Prix racing, as are the ceramic brakes. The rear automatic spoiler has two positions -- four-degrees to help stability at high speeds, and 11 degrees to provide down-force in mid-speed ranges.

“The Aventador is a jump of two generations in terms of design and technology. Overall, the dynamics and technical excellence of the Aventador make it unrivalled in the worldwide super sports car arena,” said Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

Rivals include the McLaren MP4-12C, and Porsche 911 Turbo S, while the Bugatti (another VW stable-mate) Veyron supercar costs about four times as much.

When you clamber into the car through the so-called scissor doors which open upwards, you will wallow in the premium materials, leather and Italian craftsmanship and see the aircraft style dashboard with LED screens. The designers haven’t quite thought of everything. The trunk space is miniscule. You won’t be able to see much out of the back, although you can order a perspex cover for the mid-engine which can be viewed from the outside. The start button is hidden under a red cover. Push that button and the noise of the motor will respond with a deafening, almost frightening, shriek. On the road, the four-wheel drive system will provide an added level of safety on the corners in foul weather, or when the driver is pushing the car hard through bends.

The car’s body is so low, it might well be incapable of negotiating speed bumps in towns. That won’t be a problem for Lamborghini owners. There will certainly be a button to press which will automatically summon the chauffeur-driven limo.
/ENDS

Lamborghini Aventador LP-700-4:
Engine -- 6.5 litre V-12 petrol
Power -- 690hp @ 8,250rpm
Torque -- 690 Nm @ 5,500
Drive -- all wheels
Gearbox -- 7 speed robotic automatic
Acceleration -- 0-100km/h-62mph -- 2.9 seconds
Top speed -- 218mph-350km/h
Fuel consumption -- claimed combined -- 16.4mpg-17.2-l/km
C02 -- 398g/km
Emissions class -- Euro V level 2
Suspension -- horizontal mono-tube damper with push-rods
Length -- 4,780mm
Width -- 2,030mm
Height -- 1,136mm
Wheel-base -- 2,700mm
Weight -- 1,575kg
Boot capacity -- 110 litres
Competition -- Bugatti Veyron, McLaren MP4-12C, Porsche 911 Turbo S
Delivery -- starts late summer 2011
Price -- UK£201,900, 255,000 euros, U.S.$379,000, China RMB 6,270,000, Yen 39,690,000. (UK, Europe, U.S. prices exclude taxes, U.S. includes gas guzzler tax, China, Japan prices include taxes)