LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR

Origins

The first iteration of the Aventador - the 2011 LP700-4 - was imagined by Italian automotive designer Filippo Perini, who is currently the head honcho at Italdesign. Its fighter jet persona is certainly deliberate, with an angular wedge-shaped silhouette and intimidating profile, the byproduct of aggressive aerodynamic overhangs, body panels, diffusers and air inlets.

Named after a breed of fighting bull (as is the case with other models in the lineup), the Aventador is the first V12-engined Lamborghini to forgo Bizzarini’s design schematic in favour of brand new architecture. Built from scratch under the guidance of Audi, this new Lamborghini V12 engine - codenamed L539 - is strongly influenced by the parent company.

Now backed by an evolution in performance and having taken huge technical leaps over the Murciélago, Lamborghini’s latest V12 was ready to make its entrance one for the ages. Built upon a carbon fiber monocoque and inspired by the styling of the limited-production Lamborghini Reventón, the Aventador was originally scheduled to have a 4,000 unit production run.

Thanks to its instant success and enduring popularity, Lamborghini reckoned that more of a good thing couldn’t possibly be a bad thing. So by 2016, over 5,000 examples had been built; well past where the original goal posts were set. Fast forward to September 10, 2020, and Aventador No. 10,000 had just rolled off the production line.

Initial Release

Aventador LP700-4 (2011-2016) & Aventador LP700-4 Roadster (2013-2016)

The very first Aventador variant was the LP 700-4 coupé. Right off the bat, Lamborghini’s new flagship model featured a 6.5L naturally aspirated V12 engine which produced an impressive 700 hp @ 8,250 rpm and 509 ft-lbs of torque @ 5,500 rpm. Mated to a 7-speed single clutch automated manual transmission which sent power through an all-wheel-drive system, the LP 700-4 was capable of 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds, setting the tone for the variants which followed.

Faster and lighter than its predecessor, the Aventador achieved close to 200 lbs of its shed weight via the extensive use of carbon fiber materials throughout, along with a redesigned drive line. Style-wise, the LP700-4 was an evolution of the Reventón’s design and featured much larger side intakes in front of the rear wheels.

The entire body and monocoque was produced in-house by Automobili Lamborghini using Resin Transfer Moulding techniques. Many of its mechanical components are derived from motorsport, such as the push-rod inboard spring/damper units and the dual-plated single clutch, which was lighter than the more popular dual-clutch solutions at the time.

The Aventador LP700-4 Roadster was announced late in 2012, with production beginning early in 2013. Thanks to its well-thought-out design and a lightweight drop-top setup, the Roadster has only a remarkably negligible performance penalty compared to the coupé. Speaking of the removable roof - which consists of two carbon fiber panels - it weighs just 12 kg total.

Reinforcements to the front and rear pillars - to improve structural rigidity and provide enhanced rollover protection - account for most of the 50 kg that the Roadster weighs more than the coupé. Equipped with the same power plant as the latter, performance metrics remain virtually the same: 0-60 mph still takes just 2.9 seconds, while top speed (349 km/h) is just 1 km/h lower.

SuperVeloce

Unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, were the SV (short for SuperVeloce) coupé and Roadster variants, respectively. Both models were added to the lineup during the final two years of the first phase of production, before the refreshed Aventador was officially released in late 2017.

Each of the SV models benefited from notable upgrades over their LP700-4 counterparts (which continued to sell alongside them until 2017), with more power, better aerodynamics and additional weight reduction measures all contributing to the total-package improvements.

For starters, engine output was increased to 750 hp - up 50 hp from the standard cars - while more carbon fibre parts were used throughout, helping to reduce total weight by around 50 kg in both of the SV models relative to their 700-4 counterparts. The SV coupé and SV Roadster each saw their 0-60 mph time improve to 2.8 seconds, though it could be argued that the more obvious improvements were in other areas of the car.

Driving dynamics were greatly enhanced for the SV, with downforce improving by as much as 180% for the coupé thanks to a redesigned front splitter, rear diffuser and fixed rear wing. Revisions to the electronic steering system, adaptive dampers, and magnetic pushrod suspension were complemented by a stiffened chassis; in unison, this helped to provide a heightened level of balance, agility and precision.

The Roadster - which was limited to just 500 examples - has the distinction of being the first drop-top Lamborghini model to adorn the SuperVeloce moniker, in the process becoming the most performance-oriented convertible ever produced by the company when it was released. Production of the SV ended in 2017, making way for the impending shake up in the Aventador roster.

Mid-cycle Refresh

Lamborghini reworked the Aventador late in 2016, with a refreshed lineup reflecting a shift in both nomenclature and technical features. The first model to be introduced was the Aventador S LP740-4 coupé, which was a direct replacement for the discontinued LP700-4 coupé, in the process becoming the new base offering in the Aventador roster.

The Aventador S was an improvement in every aspect of the car. Power was improved to 740 hp while keeping with the same 6.5L naturally aspirated V12 engine; a redesigned 7-speed automated manual transmission, improved all-wheel-drive system, and the addition of rear-wheel steering, also helping to take driving dynamics to greater levels.

An updated suspension setup was now managed by Lamborghini’s “LDVA” chassis control unit, which allowed drivers to choose from a variety of preset driving modes which included Sport, Strada (Street), and Corsa (Track), plus an ‘Ego’ mode which enabled customizable sub-settings.

As is expected with any refresh - particularly one done by Lamborghini - changes were aplenty for the exterior as well, with current Head of Design Mitja Borkert making sure to stamp his signature on the model with a sleeker and more modern design.

One of the most notable differences is the completely redesigned front fascia, which incorporates a more aggressive front splitter and features two new air ducts in the front bumper. The design at the rear of the Aventador S strikes a more intimidating pose as well, with longer rear diffuser fins and a triangular exhaust spout (housing three individual exhaust tips) really adding to the character of the car.

In 2017, Lamborghini followed up with the Roadster variant which it unveiled at that year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show. The Aventador S LP740-4 Roadster shared all the same mechanical underpinnings with the coupé, as well as the majority of its design cues - minus of course, the roof. The drop-top system continued to feature two removable carbon fiber roof panels which could be stowed in the front compartment.

Proponents of stat sheet critiques will immediately point out that the on-paper performance metrics remain virtually unchanged. For the coupé, 0-60 mph is still done in 2.9 seconds in spite of a 30 hp advantage over its predecessor. The Roadster seems to have been penalized the most, completing the same sprint in 3.2 seconds due to 50 kg of additional weight and more sophisticated chassis reinforcements.

Nevertheless, the S models need to be driven for one to appreciate the differences, as it is only then that the improvements aren’t so subtle. Where the old car feels very nose-led and slightly stubborn - its steering lethargic where you need flighty flicks left-to-right - the S dances through the slalom with a balance that feels much more in line with your hips, and steering that feels light years faster. At higher speeds, the improvements to front downforce - 130 percent more on the S coupé versus the LP700-4 - are noticeable during both turn-in and corner exit.

The Aventador SVJ LP770-4 (Super Veloce Jota) essentially replaced and then improved upon the outgoing SV model. As is tradition, the coupé was the first variant to be introduced when it was unveiled at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The addition of “Jota” to the moniker harkens back to an extreme-performance version of the Lamborghini Miura from the 1970s.

In living up to that tag, the SVJ is exactly what you would expect it to be. The 6.5L L539 V12 engine squeezes out more power than ever, producing 770 hp @ 8,500 rpm and 531 ft-lbs of torque @ 6,750 rpm. This allows the car to blitz from 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, on its way to a top speed of over 352 km/h.

However, what the car really wanted to showcase was its extensive carbon fiber diet and the introduction of the Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva (ALA) system - fancy Italian talk, which basically translates to ‘active aerodynamics’. At the behest of the ALA system are a front splitter, large rear wing, race-inspired underbody and rear diffuser.

In tandem with the car’s central computing system, known as Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Attiva (LDVA 2.0), ALA is able to send commands in as little as 500 milliseconds to electric actuators which simultaneously adjust the position of these aerodynamic pieces on the fly. Depending on the circumstances, the system can create maximum downforce for more grip, minimize drag for greater straight-line speed, or provide combinations of both.

Lightweight at just 1,525 kg - and with greater and more precise downforce than ever before - the SVJ truly shined through its driving dynamics and handling abilities. All of these impressive features would become proven in the ultimate test - the Nürburging Nordschleife. The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ LP770-4 became the new production car lap record holder in July 2018, setting a time of 6:44.97 and usurping the crown from the Porsche 911 GT2 RS in the process of doing so.

In 2019, the Roadster variant of the SVJ became the most recent standard production version of the Aventador to join the roster, after being unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show that same year. Limited to a production run of just 800 units, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ LP770-4 Roadster is mechanically identical to its coupé stablemate.

As a matter of fact, the Roadster is evenly matched with the coupé on virtually all performance metrics despite being a convertible. Thanks to an ample dose of Lamborghini engineering wizardry, it manages the tall order of overcoming its slight weight penalty and the conventional aerodynamic drawbacks of its configuration. The Roadster continues to adopt removable carbon fiber roof panels for the functionality of its drop-top system.

Special Editions / One-Off Models

No Lamborghini model range would be complete without a healthy serving of special editions and one-off versions, and this is certainly no different when it comes to the Aventador. Some of the most notable and rare Aventador variants include the one-off barchetta-styled Aventador J, the limited-run Veneno and Centenario, and the special edition SVJ 63 coupé and Roadster.

There is surely more to come from Lamborghini, particularly as the Aventador’s life-cycle comes to an end; likely within the next year or two. We’ll dive deeper into all the special edition and one-off Aventadors ever produced, in the “Variants” and “In Depth Guides” sections below.

End of Production

At the time of this writing, Lamborghini has committed to producing the Aventador through to at least the 2021 model year. There are already rumours that a successor is waiting in the wings, and could arrive as early as late-2021 or sometime in 2022.

In late 2020, the Aventador reached the milestone of 10,000 units produced, which is a remarkable achievement for a car of its stature. While it is unlikely to surpass the Gallardo’s production run of a Lamborghini-best 14,022* units - which we reckon, was never the company’s principal motivation anyway - there can be no argument that the Aventador will be considered a huge success by both Lamborghini and its followers.

*Lamborghini announced in late 2019 that 14,022 units of the Huracán had been produced, matching the Gallardo’s feat. While there have been no official numbers released on production figures since that time, it is assumed that the Huracán has easily surpassed this mark by now.

Motorsport

The Aventador isn’t homologated and doesn’t participate in any professional motorsport competitions. There is however, an Aventador-based variant - known as the Essenza SCV12 - which is made exclusively for track use and grant owners entry into Lamborghini’s one-make customer racing program via their motorsport division, Squadra Corse. Production is capped at 40 units.

The Essenza SCV12 has the distinction of being the world’s most powerful naturally-aspirated car, generating 842 hp from an up-tuned version of the 6.5L V12 used in the Aventador SVJ. It otherwise shares much less in common with the road car. Squadra Corse is also involved in the creation of two one-off cars - the SC18 Alston and SC20 - both of which are based on the Aventador SVJ and are designed primarily for the race track.

Reception & Legacy

Throughout its life-cycle, the Aventador has been the subject of critical acclaim from just about every credible pundit and respectable authority in the automotive industry. In particular, the already legendary 6.5L naturally-aspirated V12 engine has received nothing but praise, from its very beginnings and through each of its revisions along the way.

Automotive journalism powerhouse, Top Gear, named the Aventador their “Supercar of the Year 2011”, while magazines such as Car and Driver and Motor Trend amicably proclaimed it as “The best Lamborghini ever.” and “ the friendliest V12 supercar in the world.”

Many have questioned the Aventador’s use of a single-clutch transmission, as opposed to the more robust and typically smoother (and quicker) shifting dual-clutch systems that have become a universal feature in today’s high-performance vehicles.

However, Lamborghini has proven that their decision to forgo the DCT has not tethered the car’s potential, with the 7-speed ISR unit optimally matched with the Aventador’s drivetrain. The lack of an optional manual transmission and rear-wheel drive versions are also trending topics in most purist-biased circles.

The wildness and raw nature of classic Lamborghini cars tend to occupy a sweet-spot amongst an older generation of buyers and enthusiasts. They expect and even desire a Lamborghini to be a handful to control at the limit, and do without refinements in the interest of a more pure driving experience. But more than anything, this is a veiled compliment and acknowledgment of the Aventador’s superb road-manners and extraordinary capabilities on the race track.

Over time, the Lamborghini Aventador has proven to be generally reliable and problem free, with electrical gremlins in some of the earlier models being amongst the most common issues. Its stablemate, the Huracán, is generally considered to be more reliable and cheaper to maintain and service, though this is to be expected. Some owners have also reported transmission issues in the first batch of initial release examples, with 2013 model years (and onwards) having smoothed things out for the most part.

Thanks to its scissor doors - which peculiarly don’t feature on the Huracán - the Aventador is the undisputed “Lamborghini’s Lamborghini”. In fact, scissor doors have become so synonymous with the Lamborghini brand that they are often referred to simply as “lambo doors”, regardless of what brand or type of car they are on. The Lamborghini Aventador is quite simply, the quintessential Lamborghini supercar.

Lamborghini Aventador prices when new?

Base price at launch for the 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 was US$379,700. The Roadster version - added to the lineup in 2013 - was priced from US$445,300.

As you would expect, the SV models - still part of the initial release range - commanded a premium over the base models. The 2015 Lamborghini Aventador SV LP750-4 started at US$497,895, while the equivalent Roadster version had a base MSRP of US$535,500.

The refreshed cars, beginning with the new entry-level 2016 Lamborghini Aventador S LP 740-4 coupé, had a base price of US$424,845. The corresponding Aventador S Roadster started at US$460,422.

Range-topping SVJ variants are naturally the most expensive of the lot, with brand new models in coupé and Roadster configurations priced from US$517,770 and US$573,996, respectively.

Due to the inherent nature of limited edition and one-off models, most, if not every single one of them, were sold at prices well in excess of US$1 million; their values are likely to have appreciated in the pre-owned markets, as well.

Lamborghini Aventador prices currently (used market)?

Lamborghini Aventadors were expensive cars brand new, and have generally held their value well. If you’re budgeting for a used Aventador that’s comfortably below the US$300,000 mark, you will need to target earlier examples of the initial release LP700-4 models (2012 and 2013 model years) - many of them are in the US$250,000 range.

Later year LP700-4 examples occupy the next price range for a used Aventador, with 2014-2016 models asking in the US$350,000 range. Expect special editions such as the Pirelli Edition to command around a US$20,000 premium over that.

The 2015-2017 SV (SuperVeloce) 750-4 variants have proven to be great investments for their original owners. Most examples on the used market are selling close to MSRP (US$420,000 - US$500,000) and are generally harder to come across. They appear to be at the top of the wishlist for the majority of prospective Aventador owners.

If having the SV moniker isn’t your primary motivation behind purchasing an Aventador - and you are also looking for something that is a step up from the LP700-4 - a used Aventador S is a great starting point. Most used coupé models can be had in the low-to-mid US$300,000 range, while Roadsters will add around a $30,000 premium to that.

Given the inherent exclusivity of SVJ models, used examples of such cars are often selling for above MSRP in the pre-owned market. If you were not able to get your name on the build-list and purchase a brand new SVJ, this is the unfortunate situation you will be running into if an SVJ is a must-have for you.

Lamborghini Aventador reliability and maintenance costs?

The Aventador has proven to be generally reliable and problem free, particularly when properly maintained and not abused. Many owners have attributed this to the “Audi reliability” that Lamborghini cars now benefit from via the company’s relatively new owners.

Its stablemate, the Huracán, is generally considered to be more reliable and cheaper to maintain and service, though this is to be expected. It does have some niggling electrical gremlins in some of the earlier models, such as malfunctioning headlights and ECU-related glitches, of which recalls have been provided for.

Some owners have also reported transmission issues in the first batch of initial release examples, with 2014 model years (and onwards) having smoothed things out for the most part. In certain cases for 2012 models, a poor transmission seal was known to cause fluid leaks and sometimes lead to catastrophic failure. The clutch could also overheat when driven hard.

Otherwise, ownership costs fall in line with other makes and models in its class, which means you should be setting aside $2,000 to $5,000 every year for routine maintenance items. We suggest you strictly adhere to the recommended maintenance schedules, as putting off regular servicing could be much more costly in the long run. Exercise even more diligence if the car is frequently driven hard.

Lamborghini Aventador competitors and rivals?

Ferrari 812 Superfast, Ferrari 488 Pista, McLaren 765LT, Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, Porsche (991) 911 GT2 RS, Porsche (992) 911 Turbo S,

Lamborghini Aventador 0-60 times?

Aventador LP700-4: 2.9 seconds (Coupé), 3.0 seconds (Roadster), Aventador SV LP750-4: 2.8 seconds (Coupé), 2.8 seconds (Roadster), Aventador S LP740-4: 2.9 seconds (Coupé), 3.2 seconds (Roadster), Aventador SVJ 770-4: 2.8 seconds (Coupé), 2.8 seconds (Roadster),

Lamborghini Aventador top speed?

Aventador LP700-4: 217 mph (Coupé), 217 mph (Roadster), Aventador SV LP750-4: 217 mph (Coupé), 217 mph (Roadster), Aventador S LP740-4: 217 mph (Coupé), 217 mph (Roadster), Aventador SVJ 770-4: 217+ mph + (Coupé), 217+ mph (Roadster)