David Linklater

There’s no way Lamborghini is giving up tradition with its flagship model. But it has added some intriguing new technology. tries it.

Part of the mystique surrounding top-line Lamborghini supercars relies on the impression that they want to kill you.

Consider the new Aventador S. The styling inspiration has come from things we’re all scared of, like sharks and snakes and other Lamborghinis (note the Countach wheel arches).

While other supercar-makers are focusing a little more on practicality, and downsizing powertrains with the help of technology like turbocharging and hybrid-electric power, the Aventador S is still a car you can’t really see out of and it still has an enormous naturally aspirated V12 engine plonked in the middle.

Sorry, make that an even more powerful enormous naturally aspirated V12 engine, because the new S model steps up from the paltry 520kw of the previous model to 552kw, with peak torque of 690Nm. They are big numbers for a 1575kg car. Just big numbers, actually.

The Aventador S rides on specially developed Pirelli P Zero tyres (they are known as ‘‘marked’’ because they have an L on the sidewall) and carbonceramic brakes are standard. Serious stuff.

I really think Lamborghini would like you to believe that the Aventador is a dangerous machine. That’s the image that sells this monster.

After all, people who want to drive a Lambo to the shops in safety can buy the Huracan, which is really just a slightly irritable Audi R8. Nothing wrong with that, but an Aventador is pure Lamborghini in construction and