It’s literally less than a week until Christmas and Lamborghini have unveiled a new car you’ll probably want to add to your Christmas list. Ladies, gentlemen, and elves, welcome to the Aventador S.
The S bit is quite important as it’s the first time Lamborghini has added that letter after one of its models since the Countach S and Miura S some decades ago. Essentially a facelift and revised version of the Aventador LP700, Lamborghini will want you to believe the Aventador S LP740-4 (to give its full name) is a step above the ‘regular’ Aventador it replaces.
Upping the already mental power output from 700hp/514kW to 730hp/536kW and 690NM of torque. The Aventador S is not only now on par with the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta but also matches the Pagani Huayra hypercar. Lamborghini aren’t messing around.
The increase in power and torque are due to changes in the VVT and VIS optimisation, quicker gear changes from the 7-speed single-clutch gearbox, and a revised exhaust system that’s also 20% lighter than before. The Aventador S can also shut half of its cylinders off when required, because Lamborghini owners really care about fuel economy.
Regardless of the eco-stuff, the Aventador S can still get from zero to legal in 2.9 seconds and will top out at 350 km/h. The best bit is the redline has been increased to 8500 rpm, up from 8350 rpm, so you can hear that naturally aspirated V12 scream longer. No hybrid or turbocharging witchcraft here.
The big news isn’t the increase in power or the fact the weight remains at 1575kg. No, Lamborghini has gone all track serious and have thrown Porsche’s four-wheel steering at it. We’ve seen this system more and more in high performance cars like the 911 GT3 RS but this is the first time it’s made it on to a pantomime supercar like a Lamborghini. I’m not quite sure it belongs in a car like a Lamborghini.
The rear-wheel steering system is said to react within 5 milliseconds to the driver’s steering movement. At low speeds the front and rears face the opposite direction to give the impression of a ‘reduced wheelbase’ for better maneuverability, while at high speeds the front and rear point in the same direction for greater stability.
Lamborghini have also recalibirated the four-wheel drive system to allow up to 90 percent of the power to be sent to the rear-wheels. The suspension has also been revised to cater for the four-wheel steering system. To stop the Aventador S carbon ceramic brakes comes as standard. The S also comes with Pirelli P Zeros.
To manage all this, the Aventador S has had a brain transplant. It now comes with Lambo’s new Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Attiva (LDVA) control unit. It uses sensors all around the car to optimise the car in the best way possible for the conditions.
As well as the usual Strada, Sport, and Corsa driving modes, Lamborghini has given the Aventador S an ‘Ego’ driving mode. I kid you not. This mode allows the driver to set their own personalised mode setting the engine, gearbox, four-wheel drive system, steering, and suspension.
Then there’s the downforce. The facelift exterior does freshen up the five-year old design of the Aventador with SV-inspired wheel design, a new front bumper, and a new rear design. But it also significantly improves aerodynamics and downforce.
Lamborghini say front downforces has improved by 130%, rear by over 50%, low drag by more than 400%. This worries me. Talk of downforce, cylinder de-activation, and rear-wheel steering means Lamborghini have track times and serious driving in mind.
But isn’t that what Ferrari, Porsche, and McLaren are for? Lamborghinis are meant to be berserk, insane brutes that work better as bedroom posters than actual cars. Don’t get me wrong, the Avetnador still looks every bit of a bedroom poster as the Countach or Murcielago and it has presence few of its rivals can match.
When a new Lamborghini is launched we shouldn’t care about economy, Nurburgring lap times, or if it comes with Apple AirPlay and a telemetry system (which it does). All we want is does it make a nice sound, will its design make jaws drop and fingers point, and can do the doors open upwards?
Luckily the Aventador S does all of that. So everything else is irreverent. First customers deliveries are expected in Spring 2017 with prices starting a little bit more than before €281,555 in Europe and ¥41,578,179 in Japan.
