ALL-NEW AVENTADOR STICKS WITH ARROW-ISH DESIGN CUES OF MURCIELAGO PREDECESSOR BUT IS LIGHTER AND FASTER
Enlighten me, is this the fastest-ever Lambo? You bet, since we're talking about a flagship Lamborghini. What you see here is the all-new LP700-4 Aventador, the effective replacement of the Murcielago that carries on the heritage of ferocious looks and performance.
Powering the Aventador is a 700hp 6.5-litre V12 that's good enough to make it the fastest Lambo on sale so far with a 2.9sec 0-100kph time and, if it really matters, a 350kph top speed.
The LP700-4 may still be second fastest after the Bugatti Veyron, whose 0-100kph record of 2.5sec makes it the speed king. But the idea for the Aventador isn't to break records; it's merely meant to be the next-generation supercar flagship for Lamborghini.
How does its compare to the Murcielago? If you take into consideration the fastest derivative of the Murcielago, known as the LP670-4 Super Veloce, the Aventador has significant improvements in practically all aspects.
Okay, Lamborghini hasn't caught up with the engine-downsizing trend yet, but it hasn't upsized either. Although the 6.5-litre displacement of the V12 remains, it's 30hp more powerful than in the LP670-4 SV yet 0.3sec quicker to 100kph, 8kph faster on the top end and 1kpl more fuel efficient at 5.8kpl.
These were made possible thanks to a quicker shifting seven-speed automated manual and carbon fibre body that helps bring down the weight by nearly 100 kilos from 1,565 to 1,475kg.
And why hasn't Lamborghini gone twin-clutch? The Italians says dual-clutch transmissions _ now used by exotic brands like Bugatti, Ferrari and Porsche _ are heavier than automated manuals, thus contradicting the Aventador's lightweight agenda.
And, like Lexus with its LF-A supercar, Lamborghini believes that the F1-style gearbox suits the Aventador's manic and brawny character better than the twin-clutcher.
In fact, Lamborghini is promising a genuine supercar driving experience for the Aventador. It has even gone to the point of fitting a unique pushrod suspension and steering system for superior driving dynamics.
But to ensure that less experienced drivers can drive the Aventador with some peace of mind, there's a three-mode driving dynamics system for normal, sport or track use.
Carbon-ceramic disc brakes should also guarantee more confidence-inspiring braking, aside the usual four-wheel-drive system designed for driving security.
The interior seems to be more user-friendly Yeah, that seems to be another area of significant improvement. Well, it should because the Murcielago's cabin wasn't exactly a great place to be in.
The interior isn’t short on infotainment.
Lamborghini has now given great attention to detail, so there's an instrument panel with virtual display in which the driver can swap between either a prominent tacho or speedo, as such.
Then there's an array of streamlined functions on the centre console for the driver to select for various controls and infotainment.
And just because Lamborghini is a low-volume sports car maker doesn't mean that it has compromised on safety. Apart front and side airbags, there are knee ones for both the front occupants, too.
Start to gaze at the Aventador's dashboard for quite some time and it begins to remind you a little of the Ford Fiesta's which, of course, is to say that it's a quite pretty inside the Lambo.
I'm sold. When can I get one? Lamborghini says that first deliveries start after mid-year, although you may have to form a queue if you didn't make a pre-order before the Aventador's world premiere in Geneva this week.
Slated to cost some 30 million baht in Thailand, the Aventador couldn't be described as nonsensically expensive despite the high taxes in the country.
Look at the Aventador like this.
The Aventador is the world's second faster car (if you don't include rare exotics like Koenigsegg) after the Veyron, yet it costs five times less than the Bugatti. See? The Lambo begins to sound quite enticing. Even the slower Ferrari 599 GTO is dearer.
You're right. Will the Lambo be cheaper in the grey market? No comment.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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