The centrefold model of speed

Here to redefine the concept of speed is the 700hp maniacal open-top supercar from Italy - the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4

Founder Ferruccio Lamborghini's fabled story of building a Ferrari-rivalling supercar is one of opportunity and ambition. Thanks to him, the 350 GT - the first Lamborghini - and the many great vehicles of speed that followed, such as the Countach, Diablo and Murcielago, Lamborghini has become synonymous with the term 'supercar'. And the fiercest, fastest and freshest of the lot is the Aventador LP 700-4. This week, we give you the low-down on the prince of pomp and the ace of pace.
DESIGN & AESTHETICS
Lamborghinis of all ages have borne the most jaw-dropping looks of any car, and this 2015 Aventador LP 700-4 is the same, only in greater measure. Its style and silhouette, borrowed from the limited edition Reventón and the Estoque concept car, makes it look like a jagged knife on wheels or a stealth fighter for the roads.
Unlike the Huracán, this is a story of large expanses of sheet metal, measuring 4.78m between the bumpers and 2.26m at the hips, making it as wide as a lane and not an easy car to steer around town. It emphasises the supercar theme with its low-slung roofline, which at 1.136m high, is not much taller than a dining table. The origami-styled body is put together using a carbon-fibre monocoque with aluminium front and rear frames. But even with the use of exotic lightweight materials, it weighs in at 1,625kg; supercar rivals that bear a similar chassis, like the Ferrari Enzo and Porsche Carrera GT, weigh just a little over 1,300kg. Perhaps the SV model that will see a regional launch later this year will have evidence of weight savings. Concealed within the body's many creases and folds are door handles that open outrageous scissor doors, rendering the most dramatic entrance or exit one can imagine.
Cutting through the wind upfront is the bumper's piercing motif embossed with the famed Lamborghini bull at the centre. If there ever was a badge more intimidating than a 'prancing horse', it has to be the 'raging bull'. Spilling out bright white light onto the roads are bi-xenon headlamps and giving the Aventador further visual distinction are Y-shaped LED Day-time running lamps, which are supported by 7-dot LED indicator lamps. Almost scraping the road surface is a splitter on the front apron and large air intakes finished in black. Sensibly, Lamborghini has equipped the Aventador with a hydraulic system that raises its chin by 40mm at the touch of a button, saving you from the heartache of a scrape and repair money.
Keeping this mechanical masterpiece on the ground are asymmetrically sized 19" and 20" wheels - front and rear, respectively. The Y motif of the head lamps are reiterated in the rear LED lights, and, in the rear is where you'll also find a glorious view of the monstrous V12 through the optional transparent three-piece cover panels. Science has rendered the Aventador's spoiler inconspicuous - it is seamlessly integrated into the body shell, but is capable of popping up at three different angles depending on velocity or mode. Also at the tail end is an enormous central exhaust tip from which exhaust fumes exit furiously - and may spit fire on occasion.

Let's ignore the external pageantry for a bit and talk about what it's like to be at the helm of a 700hp rolling monstrosity that wants to turn every drive into a kamikaze mission. Entering the low slung body is not easy or gracious, but once inside, you're transported a couple of decades ahead by the sci-fi cockpit. The 3-spoke flat bottom steering wheel comes wrapped in either pressed suede or perforated leather, and the thickness, shape and size is befitting a supercar. Most of the cabin is decorated with satin finish trims on the wheel, dash and centre console, which, by its riveted look, seems to be of an industrial grade.
The sloped centre console encompasses much of Audi switchgear, including Audi's MMI rotary knobs and controls that have a quality build, and are easy to find and use, negating the quality and ergonomic issues that plagued Lambos of past. Laid almost flat is a 7" infotainment screen and adjacent to it is a familiar array of Lamborghini toggle switches for operating functions such as the electric windows, etc.
Starting up this beast is carried out Top Gun-style; you flip open the red switch cover and press on the starter button. The instrument gauges are presented on a 12.3" TFT LCD screen and in the centre is a large dial which doubles as a speedometer and tachometer.
The fighter-plane inspired cockpit is a lavish exhibition of luxury with premium leather upholstery. The thinly padded ribbed or optional diamond tufted seats are padded more for support than suppleness. Also, the cabin is tight and only allows necessary degrees of movement for your hands and feet. This is no luxury GT car.
The Aventador in Roadster form, which, unlike a modern day supercar, does not come with a power retractable soft or hard top. Instead, you have two carbon-fibre panels that you have to manually remove by hand. With some practice you can do it yourself in less than a minute and stow it away in the luggage compartment upfront, but this leaves you with no space for luggage.
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
The maiden Lamborghini was the 1964 350 GT. It featured a V12 and this tradition continues in the Aventador, which gets a mid-mounted 6.5L V12 - probably the last of the naturally aspirated kind. The power offerings are obvious, but what is equally impressive is the deep sensational rumble that bellows from the engine bay.
Power transmission duties are left to a conventional but compact 7-speed ISR that boasts a shift time of 50 milliseconds. Some say, advanced mechanics can't outdo the pleasure of a three-pedal-and-shifter option, but there is none, so be content with the auto-box.
The new V12 makes 690bhp at 8,250rpm and 690Nm of torque at 5,500 revs, sending the legendary Murcielago's figures straight back into history. The Drive Select Mode System ?enables the driver to choose from three settings, each varying characteristics of the engine, transmission, differential, steering, etc.
Now onto more important things, like how to launch an Aventador! Switch to 'Corsa' to keep the engine throbbing till 'launch mode' is indicated. Then, inhale deeply, ditch the brake and slingshot off the lines - 100km/h comes in 3 seconds, 160km/h in less than 7, and 200km/h in under 9. In the popular quarter mile run, it would cross the line in 10.6 seconds at 220km/h. And if you have the guts - and the ground - it will easily push past 300km/h, eventually topping out at 350km/h, making it one of the fastest production road vehicles on the planet. Just ensure that every action after is carefully calculated.
Steering the behemoth requires a mature driver who can judiciously apply massive brakes when necessary - 6-piston brake callipers on carbon ceramic disc rotors up front and 4-piston callipers at the rear. Together, they take the Aventador from 100km/h to a stop in a little over 30m, whilst maintaining composure.
Pivotal to Lamborghini's handling dynamics is its all-wheel drive traction that distributes power to all four wheels through an electronically controlled Haldex system similar to cars by Audi and Volkswagen. Unlike the Roadster we drove earlier, which showed signs of oversteer, this had more positive neutrality in its direction changing nature, inspiring both control and speed. Making all this possible is racecar-style push-rod suspension that also gives you a bone-jarring ride that may reorganise your internal organs.
We aren't too proud of the Aventador's smoking habits, though. It has a CO2 emission count of 370g/km and can empty the 90L tank at a city-rated fuel economy of 24.7L/100km. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is with auto start/stop and cylinder deactivation technology!
FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
Calling it a 2-people hauler is as practical as it gets, but at least the dual-zone climate control system worked well throughout the test drive.
Music plays through the company-fitted Lamborghini Sound System with four 135W amplifiers. You can bank on mp3-compatibility, an SD card slot, Bluetooth and even iPod connection, but there are no USB ports. In the Lambos of old you had to sit on the doorsill to have a better look out the back thanks to the pigeonhole of a rear window, but with the Aventador you get parking sensors and a very usable rear view camera. You also get ABS, Electronic Brake-force distribution, hill start assist, etc, to keep you planted on the road. Luggage carrying capacity is a big concern, though. It doesn't even have cup holders and the most logical place for your knick-knacks in here is your pocket.
VERDICT
The epitome of the term 'supercar' is envisaged in the 2015 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster. It is true that the bone-jarring ride will deter long distance travels, the limited visibility will hinder in-city driving and you won't be able to care much for the ecology or fuel economy if you drive this; but in the world of supercars these things matter less. What matters are evocatively styled exteriors and unbridled power which the Aventador has bucket loads of, making it one of the best automotive inventions out there.

• On The Road