The Italian brand’s outgoing flagship, the Murciélago, was the first car developed under the ownership of Audi AG. After a 10-year run, it was time for a change, as just about every supercar maker has taken great strides to improve their products.
Over the years, the Murciélago’s output slowly escaladed, from 580 horsepower to 670. For the new Aventador, add another thirty ponies as its 6.5-litre V12 now produces no less than 700 horsepower and 509 pound-feet of torque. Lamborghini claims the engine is an all-new design.
Managing all that pavement-rippling muscle is a new gearbox. Called ISR or Independent Shifting Rod, the 7-speed tranny features rods operated by hydraulic actuators, which accomplish virtually parallel gear changes. According to Lamborghini, the overlapping allows shifts to occur 50% quicker than in a double-clutch sequential.
In addition, the driver can choose between three operating modes: comfort-oriented Strada, dynamic Sport and track-calibrated Corsa, the latter including a launch mode for nose-bleed blastoffs. You can use the wheel-mounted paddle shifters or leave the ISR swap its own gears.
Speaking of blastoffs, the all-wheel drive Aventador is said to hit 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, or three-tenths sooner than the outgoing Murciélago LP 670-4. The car also has a potential top speed of 350 km/h, or 219 mph. Treehuggers, rejoice: combined fuel consumption is reduced from 20.6 L/100 km to 17.2.
Compared to the Murciélago, the Aventador rides on a slightly longer wheelbase and is barely longer, but loses an inch in width, while height is unchanged. Front and rear tires are sized at 255/35ZR19 and 335/30ZR20, respectively, replacing the old car’s 18-inchers.
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| The Lamborghini Aventador should arrive in North America at the end of summer 2011. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
Over the years, the Murciélago’s output slowly escaladed, from 580 horsepower to 670. For the new Aventador, add another thirty ponies as its 6.5-litre V12 now produces no less than 700 horsepower and 509 pound-feet of torque. Lamborghini claims the engine is an all-new design.
Managing all that pavement-rippling muscle is a new gearbox. Called ISR or Independent Shifting Rod, the 7-speed tranny features rods operated by hydraulic actuators, which accomplish virtually parallel gear changes. According to Lamborghini, the overlapping allows shifts to occur 50% quicker than in a double-clutch sequential.
In addition, the driver can choose between three operating modes: comfort-oriented Strada, dynamic Sport and track-calibrated Corsa, the latter including a launch mode for nose-bleed blastoffs. You can use the wheel-mounted paddle shifters or leave the ISR swap its own gears.
Speaking of blastoffs, the all-wheel drive Aventador is said to hit 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, or three-tenths sooner than the outgoing Murciélago LP 670-4. The car also has a potential top speed of 350 km/h, or 219 mph. Treehuggers, rejoice: combined fuel consumption is reduced from 20.6 L/100 km to 17.2.
Compared to the Murciélago, the Aventador rides on a slightly longer wheelbase and is barely longer, but loses an inch in width, while height is unchanged. Front and rear tires are sized at 255/35ZR19 and 335/30ZR20, respectively, replacing the old car’s 18-inchers.
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| Compared to the Murciélago, the Aventador rides on a slightly longer wheelbase and is barely longer, but loses an inch in width, while height is unchanged. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |