SHORTDRIVE: Demon from Heaven
Lambo's latest flagship looks and goes like a brute _ at a not so outlandish price
WHAT IS IT?
Armed with a mighty 700hp 6.5-litre V12 engine, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, at 36.5 million baht apiece, is the most powerful car launched in recent history in Thailand.
And asserting its supercar credentials, the Aventador is the second quickest car from an OEM producer after the Bugatti Veyron with its 2.9sec 0-100kph acceleration time _ 0.4sec slower than the Veyron speed king.
As ever, the 12-cylinder mid-engine Aventador is intended as Lamborghini's flagship succeeding the Murcielago.
Life's encounter with the Aventador took place at the Shanghai F1 circuit in China last week where journalists from Asia-Pacific were given a chance to sample it briefly in either left- or right-hand-drive form.
WHAT'S COOL?
The thing that makes you like the Aventador immediately is the way it looks. The traditional huge vents, arrow-shape profile and macho rear end with super fat rear tyres simply look awesome. And its protruding edges haven't been filed down like in the Murcielago. Simply put, it's love at first sight.
The interior of the Aventador is also welcoming. The centre console may look a little busy with all those switches, but along with the new TFT display for the panel dials, there's a strong sense of function and supercar occasion when taking the wheels.
Oh, and the driving position is more natural than before and reasonably comfortable by supercar standards. The same goes for the improved rear vision, which isn't as bad as in the Murcielago.
As ever, performance never fails to satisfy. With power having grown to an astonishing 700hp (up 60hp and 30hp from the previous LP640 and LP670 accordingly), there is absolutely no shortage of thrust _ even on a racetrack aimed at accommodating the fastest racing machines on this planet.
Like in the Murcielago, the Aventador's engine has two moods: a relaxed powerband below 5,000rpm that's obviously sumptuous for road use and a devastating variation above that level to the 8,500rpm redline to blow your nuts off down the fastest bit of any racetrack.
Yes, the power, g-force and the monstrous _ if not exactly musical _ bellow of the V12 is just electrifying. If it's sheer performance you need, this is it.
Lambos are generally known to be difficult cars to drive at low speeds. But that's not exactly the case for the Aventador anymore, as proven in the pit-lane where the steering is surprisingly light and all-round vision adequate.
WHAT'S NOT?
The driving position is now more natural; TFT instrument display is a nice touch.
Many people think ultra-expensive sports cars are usually immune from criticism. While that may hold true to the most loyal fans (for the Aventador in this case), this Lambo still has some pronounced flaws.
The first is the transmission which is an automated manual gearbox, like in the Murcielago, just that there are now seven forward ratios instead of six.
Whatever claims Lamborghini is making in gearshifting speeds and racecar-like feel, the gearbox _ be it in full automatic or manual override mode _ still feels second fiddle to the increasingly popular dual-clutch automatic.
In the Aventador, there's that same momentary jerk between cog-swapping at not-so-high revs which should make real-driving less refined. Those acquainted with twin-clutchers will immediately get the picture.
And if you try changing gears mid-corner _ or even slightly jabbing on the carbon-ceramic brakes _ the composure of the chassis can be upset. And we're still in Strada (normal) mode; go into Sport or even Corsa and some really good hands are needed in handling the Aventador at the limit.
At least, it isn't as scary as in the Murcielago, where you need much more concentration to keep the car on line. For driving aficionados, mid-engine cars and their ultra-responsive chassis have their merits. But for the more average driver, this could be more of a challenge.
Lastly, the Aventador's steering lacks feel and the crispness found in the Murielago when driving around a racetrack. At least, that should compensate for an easier steer on public roads.
BUY OR BYE?
The Aventador may have flaws, especially when most them are plugged in some rival models that are nearly as fast. But this Lambo is still so rich in emotion and that makes it a hugely desirable supercar.
The way it looks and goes in a straight line is simply like no other. The Aventador is a proper Lambo in every tradition, just that it has rightly become easier to drive in most cases.
And if you look at what kind of performance you're getting at 36.5 million baht, the Aventador isn't outlandishly pricey because practically all other sub-3.0sec accelerating car (from 0-100kph) you'll ever manage to find will cost 2-3 times higher.
Now, that can be considered quite good value for a supercar. Potential buyers needn't buy the Aventador just for collection sake because it's hugely entertaining on the move and begs to be exploited, despite some drawbacks easily forgiven.
The ultimate raging bull
Remember the Sesto Elemento concept that starred at Lamborghini's stand at the Paris motor show last year?
Yeah, the Italians have confirmed a limited production of it: Just 20 units at some 2 million each (more than 200 million baht in Thailand after tax).
What makes the Sesto Elemento so great? It will share the top honour with the Bugatti Veyron as the fastest accelerating car with a 2.5sec 0-100kph record.
But it's the sophistication of the Sesto Elemento that begs attention. It has a body made entirely of carbon fibre (only the Aventador's cabin tub is made of that lightweight material) to yield a dry weight of just under one tonne.
That's why the smaller V10 engine from the Gallardo is enough to offer such a towering performance.
Sure, the Sesto Elemento may never sound sane against the Aventador, which performs nearly as well but is a whole lot cheaper.
Unlike the Aventador, the Sesto Elemento is a genuine collector's item.
Sesto Elemento does 0-100kph in 2.5sec.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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