Aventador cranks up V12 to 769bhp for road car finale
MORE THAN A decade after its launch, the Lamborghini Aventador is bowing out with the limited-run LP 780-4 Ultimae edition, which is also Sant’agata’s final purecombustion V12 production car.
Appearing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Ultimae is described as “a celebration of the iconic V12 super-sports car and combustion engine in a final production model”.
As reported by Autocar earlier this year, Lamborghini’s venerable naturally aspirated 12-cylinder engine will be used for a final time in the Aventador’s successor but with a hybrid powertrain element serving as a bridge to pure-electric Lamborghini models in the future.
The 6.5-litre unit produces 10bhp more in the LP 780-4 Ultimae than in the previous range-topping Aventador, the SVJ, sending 769bhp (780PS, hence the name) to both axles, which means Lamborghini’s final pure-combustion V12 model is also its most powerful. The Aventador-based Essenza SCV12 produces 819bhp but is limited to track use.
The Ultimae’s 531lb ft torque peak matches the SVJ’S, with which it shares its powerto-weight ratio. But with a 0-62mph time of just 2.8sec and a top speed of 221mph, the Ultimae claims the crown as the fastest road-going Aventador.
The Ultimae is subtly marked out from other Aventadors by way of a unique styling package that “takes the best components” of the S and SVJ.
The 350 coupés and 250 roadsters – each sold with a numbered plaque – will be offered in a range of unique colour schemes, including a new grey-on-grey option with contrasting red trim elements, while the roadster can be specified with an exposed carbonfibre roof panel.
Prices for the run-out Aventador model have yet to be revealed but are expected to start at more than £400,000.