Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 in Geneva

Well, it’s finally here, the Lamborghini we’ve all been waiting for – the Aventador LP700-4.  

Currently being shown to the public at the Geneva Motor Show, the Aventador is the official replacement for the Murcielago, which has been Lamborghini’s flagship model for nine years.  The Aventador is named after a Spanish fighting bull that was awarded the “Trofeo de la Peña La Madroñera” for the courage it displayed at the Saragossa Arena in October 1993.

The name also hints at the power the Aventador produces.  Its brand new naturally-aspirated 6.5 litre V12 produces 700 hp at 8250 rpm and 509 lb ft (690 nm) of torque at 5500 rpm.  An all wheel drive system continues to provide traction to the flagship Lambo, an electronically controlled Haldex system that distributes power accordingly to the front and rear tyres.  There is also a self locking rear differential, while the front has a differential that’s controlled by the ESP system.

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The Aventador has a new seven-speed, single-clutch, paddle-operated ISR (Independent shifting Rods) transmission that can change gears in as little as 50 milliseconds.  Combine this transmission with 700 hp and a weight of 1575kg (75kg less than the Murcielago), it will accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 2.9 sec and reach a top speed of 217 mph (350 km/h).

A carbon-fibre monocoque is the skeleton of the new Lambo, weighing a mere 147.5 kg (325 lb) on its own, and 229.5 kg (505 lb) when combined with front and rear aluminium frames allowing a torsional stiffness of 35,000 Newton metres per degree.

The exterior features styling very similar to the Reventon, while doors that open upwards continue Lamborghini’s popular trademark.  The interior promises to be a special place as well; on the centre console there is a jet-fighter style red switch cover housing the start button that fires up the V12 engine, while the instrument panel will be presented on an LCD screen.  A navigation and multimedia system are standard.

Buyers won’t have to wait that long for their Aventadors thanks to deliveries beginning late this summer. Retail prices, taxes included, will start from $379,700 for the US, £201,900 for the UK, €255,000 for Europe, and 39,690,000 Yen for Japan.

Alex Kisiri