2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

OVERVIEW

The latest in a line of otherworldly supercars that includes the Miura, Countach, Diablo and Murcielago, the Aventador is Lamborghini's technology- and performance-packed flagship. Stupefyingly quick, aggressively angular and awe-inspiring in a deeply primal way, it's also more comfortable and refined than its feral predecessors.

Underneath its attention-grabbing stealth jet/alien snubfighter exterior, the Aventador is underpinned by a carbon-fiber chassis that teams with a number of other carbon and aluminum components throughout the car to keep weight down. These measures help the Aventador tip the scales at about 200 pounds lighter than its predecessor, although at just over 4000 pounds it still isn't exactly dainty.

Concerns about weight - and most other rational thoughts - are extinguished once one experiences the Aventador's operatic and absurdly potent V12. Displacing 6.5 liters and boasting a lofty 8500 redline, this beast of a motor makes 691 horsepower and 509 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm.

When you couple that much power with the car's Haldex all-wheel-drive system, what you get is a zero-to-62 mph time of just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph. These figures put the Aventador proudly atop the Lamborghini range and easily in the company of the most impressive supercars in the world.

Fuel economy is likely the last thing on the mind of anyone considering a Lamborghini, but the automaker added two new technologies for the latest model year in the interests of efficiency and the environment.

The first, a start-stop system that shuts down the engine to save fuel at traffic lights or in stop-and-go traffic, is a supercapacitor-based system that's both lighter and faster to restart the motor than a traditional battery-based system. The second is a cylinder deactivation system that shuts down half of the V12's cylinders during light-throttle situations, temporarily turning the motor into a straight-six. When the driver lays into the throttle, the other six cylinders fire back up for full power.

Despite those technologies, there's only so much they can do to enhance the mileage of the inherently thirsty V12 - fuel economy is rated at 11 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway.

Shifting duties are handled by a seven-speed single-clutch automated manual gearbox that Lamborghini refers to as a robotized Independent Shifting Rods (ISR) transmission. Capable of blasting from gear to gear in just 50 milliseconds, it can be a bit herky-jerky at low speeds and isn't as refined overall as the dual-clutch boxes used by some competitors. Lamborghini said it opted to use the ISR to save weight over a dual-clutch unit.

Helping transfer all 691 horsepower to the ground at all four corners are two different tires and wheel sizes - 255/35/R19 for front wheels and tires, with massive 335/30R20 wheels and tires for the rear. Stopping the big Lambo are 400x38m six-piston carbon ceramic brakes in the front, and 380x38mm carbon ceramic brakes in the rear.

Get the Aventador out to an empty, winding road, and the supercar will impress with its superb engine, accurate steering and excellent overall balance, though its girth prevents it from feeling truly nimble.

Standard tech is in
Standard features are quite extensive, including electronic control goodies such as ABS, EBD, ASR, ESC, a hill holder function, an electronically controlled rear spoiler, an electronically controlled side air intake system, servotronic and an integrated command with three different driving modes that integrate the gearbox, differential, engine response and servotronic simultaneously.

Interior and vehicle standard features include: Push to Start/Stop button, keyless ignition, full TFT displays in the cockpit, on-board computer, multimedia system with seven-inch display, iPod and USB interface, navigation, Bluetooth, bi-xenon headlights with washer, LED daytime running lights, automatic air conditioning with solar sensor, crepuscular and rain sensors and electrically adjustable and heated side mirrors with folding function.

Lamborghini also introduced a new suspension system uses pushrod technology, inspired by Formula 1 racing. It functions by locating the springs and dampers no on wheel mounts, but rather inboard to the body shell. The end result when coupled with the double wishbone suspension is precise handling in dynamic driving conditions, but almost luxury-like comfort when cruising.

Given the exotic nature of the Aventador, it is only fitting that Lamborghini decided to include a pair of new exterior colors: Metallic Grigio Estoque (a type of dark gray), and a pearl Arancio Argos orange. In addition to the two new colors, there will be three matte colors, including the white shown in Geneva, for a total of 13 exterior colors.

Key Competitors
Exotic sports cars don't usually get cross-shopped like mid-size sedans, but the Aventador can still be compared with the Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano, the Aston Martin DBS and the McLaren MP4-12C.


SPECIFICATIONS

General
Body Style: Coupe
Size: Midsize
Market Segment: Luxury
Weight: 3472 lbs

Exterior
Length: 188.18 in.
Width: 79.92 in.
Height: 45.0 in.
Wheelbase: 106.29 in.
Ground Clearance: TBD
Front Track: 68.0 in.
Rear Track: 67.0 in.
Weight Distribution: 43/57
Drag Coefficient: TBD

Interior - General
Seats: 2
Passenger Volume: TBD
Cargo Volume: TBD
Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD

Interior - Front row
Volume: TBD
Leg Room: TBD
Head Room: TBD
Shoulder Room: TBD
Hip Room: TBD

Propulsion
Fuel Type: Gas
Engine Type: 6.5L V12
Power: 700 hp @ 8250 rpm
Torque: 690 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
Transmission: 7-Speed Automated Manual
Highway Fuel Economy: N/A
City Fuel Economy: N/A
Forced Induction: None
Direct Injection: No

Chassis
Layout: All Wheel Drive
Front Suspension: Double Wishbone
Rear Suspension: Double Wishbone

Wheels
Front: TBD" Aluminum
Front Tires: TBD
Rear: TBD" Aluminum
Rear Tires: TBD

Trailering & Hauling
Trailer Weight: N/A
Payload: N/A

Tongue Weight: N/A


BASIC SPECS

Base Price $397,500
Drivetrain All Wheel Drive
Curb Weight (lbs) 3472
City (MPG) NA
Hwy (MPG) NA
Horsepower 700@8250
Torque (lb-ft) 690@5500
Wheelbase 106.29
Length (in.) 188.18
Width (in.) 79.92

Height (in.) 45.0