The Lamborghini Aventador is a mid-engine, two-seater sports car manufactured and marketed by Lamborghini from 2011 until 2022. Named after a prominent Spanish fighting bull that fought in Zaragoza, Aragón, in 1993,[6][7][8] the Aventador succeeded the Murciélago and was manufactured in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy.[9]
History
The Aventador was launched on 28 February 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show, five months after its initial unveiling in Sant'Agata Bolognese. Internally codenamed LB834, it was designed to replace the then-decade-old Murciélago as the new flagship model.[10][11][12]
Soon after its unveiling, Lamborghini announced that it had sold 12 cars, with deliveries starting in the second half of 2011.[13] By March 2016, Lamborghini had built 5,000 Aventadors. At the time, it was the second-best selling Lamborghini model ever.[14]
The Aventador was replaced by the Revuelto in 2023.
Specifications and performance
Specifications
Engine
The Aventador LP 700–4 used Lamborghini's 700 PS 6498 cc 60° V12 engine, weighing about 235 kg. Known internally as the L539,[11] it was Lamborghini's fifth in-house engine and only second V12 design since the
Models
Aventador LP 700-4 (2011–2016)
The Aventador LP 700-4 was the first iteration of the Aventador and was designed by Filippo Perini.[24][25][26] Production of the Aventador was planned to be limited to 4,000 vehicles; however, in 2016, it achieved the 5,000 unit milestone. The moulds used to make the carbon fibre monocoque were expected to last 500 moulds each, and only 8 were made.[27]
Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster (2013–2016)
The Roadster model was announced for production on 27 December 2012.
Special editions
Aventador J
Six months after unveiling the Aventador, plans for a roadster version were leaked by the U.S. EPA by including the model on a data sheet on its website. Lamborghini officially unveiled the Aventador J to the world at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.[51] The barchetta concept car used the same V12 engine as the standard Aventador, producing 700 PS with the same transmission as the coupé. It did not have air conditioning or radio to save further weight, for a total of 3472 lb.[52][53] The car presented at the Geneva show was the only unit to be produced, and was sold out at an auction for US$2.8 million.[54]
The J designation was thought to have come from Appendix J in the FIA rulebook that describes the technical specifications of race cars.
Limited production derivatives
Veneno
The Veneno is a 2014 limited-run supercar based on the Aventador LP 700–4. Developed to celebrate Lamborghini's 50th anniversary, it was introduced at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with a price of US$4,000,000, making it one of the most expensive production cars in the world.[64] The 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 generated 740 bhp at 8,400 rpm and 690 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm.[65] The increase in power was achieved by enlarging the air intakes and modifying the exhaust system. Just four Coupés were built: one retained for the factory, and three cars for customers, all of which had different accent colours representing the Italian flag. A further nine roadster versions were produced.[66]
Centenario
The Centenario was based on the Aventador SV. The coupé was unveiled at the
Reception
Car and Driver titled their article "The Best Lamborghini Ever." Motor Trend described it as "the friendliest V12 supercar in the world." Praise for the new V12 powerplant centered on the engine's responsiveness, torque, and smooth power output. Criticism centered mainly around the Aventador's unrefined single-disc clutch.[82][83]
On 31 July 2011, the Aventador was reviewed by the motorsport show Top Gear. Host Richard Hammond was impressed with its performance and handling. His biggest complaint was a nostalgic poke at its accessible temperament, implying that it left him longing for the "danger" associated with driving previous Lamborghinis.[84] The Aventador posted the fifth fastest time ever recorded on the Top Gear test track with a time of 1:16.5. In season 18 of the programme, presenter Jeremy Clarkson said that the Aventador was better than the Ferrari 458 Italia (which they had previously called the best supercar ever), describing it as being "£200,000 worth of dreams."[85]
Marketing
Robert Gülpen of RGE Robert Gülpen Engineering GmbH produced a 1/8-scale model Aventador LP 700-4 that was sold at auction December 2011 with starting bid price of US$4,700,000 (€3,500,000).[86] A second model, featuring a 25 kg gold body, was set to go for sale at auction with a starting bid price of US$7,500,000.[87]
BMC Switzerland produced a 50-unit edition of Lamborghini 50th Anniversary Edition Impec bicycles inspired by the Aventador. The bikes cost US$32,000 (€25,000) each via international BMC or Lamborghini dealer network, with delivery done by the dealer.[88]
To promote the car, a silver Aventador LP 700-4 appears in the 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises and driven by Bruce Wayne.
Sales
External links
References
- Official website for the Lamborghini Aventador retrieved 4 March 2011^
- Carlos Lago. 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 European Spec First Test Motor Trend, 30 January 2012, retrieved 4 February 2016^
- 2012-Lamborghini-Aventador-LP700-4-specs