For decades, Lamborghini has treated gearheads to dozens of ever more outrageous supercars, all with their own unique gremlins that made ownership more of a chore than a pleasure.
All that changed when Lamborghini came under Audi ownership, better ergonomics, better build quality, and most importantly, supercars that people actually wanted to drive. These changes might have toned down the bonkers a notch or two, but the cars that have emerged since have been truly world-class.
Latest among the V12 powered cars, the Aventador has been with us almost 10 years, and yet continued development has kept this king of supercars fresh and current. In 2018 rolling out the most potent "production" model, the Super-Veloce Jota (SVJ) boasting more power and sharper active chassis technology is the stuff of most gearheads dreams.
8 The Fastest Production Aventador
In the real world, 200 mph performance is never going to be usable on everyday roads, thankfully Lamborghini chooses to ignore this minor inconvenience, continuing to build ever faster and more potent supercars.
When the original Aventador launched with a top speed of 217 mph, it was hard to imagine anything faster, but this is Lamborghini and the Aventador did indeed go faster several times. Arriving in 2018 with more power and less weight to shift, the Aventador SVJ is not only more agile but quicker too, with a claimed top speed of over 219 MPH.
7 Lamborghini's Latest And Possibly Last Naturally Aspirated V12
Lamborghini doesn't follow trends, it sets them. The first carmaker to introduce a mid-engine supercar in the 60s, followed a decade later by their first mid-mounted V12 in the Countach. That same engine layout combination continues, the Aventador SVJ packing a 6.5-liter V12 engine delivering 760 HP without resorting to forced induction.
Lamborghini is one of the few remaining carmakers to resist turbocharging for their flagship model, finding ways to keep ahead of emissions requirement for the near future. Inevitably there will come a time when big V12 engines simply aren't viable, the SVJ is rumored to be the last production model that doesn't use some form of a hybrid system.
6 Spoiled For Choice - Coupe Or Roadster?
The recently announced limited-edition SVJ Roadster might deter some gearheads worried about a drop in performance or even the dreaded chassis flex associated with chopped roof jobs, but remember the Aventador already has one of the lightest and stiffest chassis of any supercar, being entirely constructed from carbon fiber.
Those concerns are completely unfounded, both cars reach 62 MPH in 2.9-seconds, and both have a claimed maximum speed of 219 MPH, only a "minor" $60,000 bump in purchase price separates the two. It really comes down to personal choice, no roof means more noise and attention, its a tough one but the Roadster wins.
5 Making A Dramatic Entrance
If that low-slung missile profile doesn't grab the attention of those around you, then how about a more dramatic entrance or exit? And no, we aren't just talking about revving the living daylights out of that gorgeous sounding V12 engine. We are talking more literally.
Every car has them, and pretty much every car uses doors the same way, but the Lamborghini way is much cooler. The Aventador like every other V12 Lamborghini has scissor doors that at the touch of a button raise upwards revealing the impossibly low door sills and cockpit, who can resist taking a peek inside what is surely the most dramatic supercar on sale.
4 Advanced Aerodynamics
Ask any racing driver the most startling aspect of any performance car, and it will be braking that takes first place over acceleration. No stranger to track events, Lamborghini has developed a way to channel the Aventador SVJ's airflow reducing drag under acceleration but hit the brake pedal hard and various vents and flaps close adding extra drag to slow the car down, all clever stuff.
Clever wings aside, the SVJ still uses a more conventional braking system, even if the discs are high-performance carbon-ceramic items gripped by six-piston and four-piston calipers front and rear. Combining clever aerodynamics and discs will bring the SVJ from 60 MPH to a standstill in 98 feet. If, like us, you are struggling to get your head around this feat, most new drivers are tight to allow 240 feet from the same speed.
3 Fighter Jet-Style Interior
On the inside too, Lamborghini has seen fit to make the Aventador a dramatic experience, sliding into the low diver's seat with a large central tunnel giving the impression of a jet fighter cockpit. In other areas too, the aviation theme continues, directly ahead of the driver a single digital instrument binnacle dominates proceedings with a dizzying array of information relating to the car's engine, transmission, and suspension settings.
All that remains is to fire up the SVJs engine, this process normally operated by a simple key requires gearheads to flip a simple red cover and depress the engine start button underneath. If anything Lamborghini has given even the most routine tasks a hint of danger and excitement.
2 Bending The Laws Of Physics
Despite extensive use of carbon fiber and other exotic materials, the Aventador SVJ is still a heavy car at 3,615 lbs. In a straight line, power can easily overcome the burden of extra weight, but when the road ahead gets a bit twisty the laws of physics take over and over-exuberance can lead to a meeting with the ARMCO barriers.
Lamborghini managed to bend the rules to the SVJ's advantage, active steering, suspension, and all-wheel-drive ensure grip is maintained at all times. Electronics controlling power to each of the four wheels, detecting and canceling out wheel-spin thousands of times a second. Now we are not suggesting anyone could achieve that time, but Lamborghini certainly provides the tools to extract the most performance more of the time.
1 Switchable Driving Modes
Recognizing no supercar or its driver is ever going to perform perfectly in every road setting, Lamborghini like other supercar makers gave the Aventador SVJ three pre-set user-selectable driving modes, plus one additional setting for those insanely brave or qualified enough to push the SVJ to its limits.
Choosing between Strada, Sport or Corsa is as simple as pushing a button, the SVJ's interface seamlessly changes the settings of the car's suspension, power bias, and transmission shifts. Pressing that last button "Ego" gives full control over every setting, think of it as "god" mode that, let's be honest, we are all going to press at least once during ownership.