► First look at Aventador SV
► More power, less weight
► Full details from Geneva motor show
Design boss Filippo Perini recently announced Lamborghini was evaluating a less extreme design language to woo new customers. But from this evidence, they haven’t killed the extreme gene yet: this is the new Aventador LP750-4 SV, which roared onto stage last night with CEO Stefan Winkelmann at the wheel.
It’s the latest in a long line of SV – for Super Veloce – variants of V12 Lamborghinis, which stretches all the way back to the Miura SV.
‘Very few Lamborghinis in history have been allowed to bear this name,’ said Winkelmann. ‘The SV is the puristic essence of the brand.’ The boss then described how Lamborghini had focussed on three key areas of development: power-to-weight, aerodynamics, and handling.
What’s new on the Aventador SV?
Based around the Aventador’s carbonfibre monocoque and screaming 6.5-litre V12 engine, the SV turns up the wick to 740bhp – up from 690bhp, while torque is unchanged at 509lb ft – to make it the fastest Lambo in history. Variable vale-timing and the Aventador’s variable intake system have been optimised for high revs, which now stretch all the way to an eye-opening 8500rpm, where the fun once stopped at 8250rpm. A new exhaust system with quad outlets sheds kilos and – judging from the shocking burst of V12 we got last night – makes the Aventador sound even more feral.
Power continues to be fed to all four wheels, which are shod in 20-inch Pirelli P Zeros up front, 21s at the rear. A recalibrated ESP system should take your pulse spike just a little higher before finally intervening. Mash the throttle and you’ll storm to 62mph in a terrifying 2.8sec, before screaming beyond 217mph – no doubt with blue flames shooting from that exhaust.
Just like the Aventador, there’s an automated manual seven-speed gearbox – the fastest in the world, says Lambo – and a choice of progressively more brutal Strada, Sport and Corsa modes. In an age of turbocharged engines and dual-clutch gearboxes, the LP750-4 SV sounds like a blast of old-school fresh air.
But it’s not all retro: the SV debuts electro-mechanical Dynamic steering with a variable ratio and driver-selectable levels of assistance. A similar kind of system has met with mixed reviews in high-performance Audi models, so it’ll be interesting to see if Lambo gets a handle on it. Carbon-ceramic brakes and pushrod suspension with magnetorheological adaptive dampers round off the chassis.
A crash carbon diet
The SV builds on the Aventador’s penchant for lightweight materials and outlandish styling with a re-designed front end, new carbonfibre rear wing, SMC superlight rear fenders and a new, more aggressive carbonfibre rear diffuser. The body mods contribute towards the SV’s 50kg weight saving – down to 1525kg, boosting the power-to-weight ratio by 10% – and increase downforce by an incredible 170% compared with the Aventador. What’s more, the rear wing can be adjusted manually to one of three possible settings – this can change the front-to-rear aero balance by as much as 15%, so make sure you know what you’re doing before you break out the socket set.
Inside, the carbonfibre monocoque is now visible in some areas including the transmission tunnel and sills, there are new carbonfibre seats covered in Alcantara, and carbonfibre door cards, while Carbon Skin also debuts. It’s a light, flexible and strong material that’s soft to the touch and covers the inner roof and parts of the cockpit. All-new TFT instruments also debut, but there is no infotainment system as standard – it’s a no-cost option – while the carpets and some sound deadening have bitten the dust in the quest to kill kilos.
If you’re brave enough, the Lamborghini LP750-4 SV will cost from €327,190 plus VAT.
Check out what happened when we drove its predecessor: the 2009 Murcielago LP670-4 SV.