Back in 2018 one very fortunate customer convinced Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse department to create a one-off track-inspired car for his, based on the Lamborghini Aventador the SC18 Alston was born, named after Squadra Corse 2018 we’ve all seen the amazing Huracan GT3 and Huracan Super Trofeo race cars over the last years, but now we also get a real V12 track car, the Essenza SCV12, equipped with the most powerful V12 in Lamborghini’s history over 830 hp.
The first V12 race car in Lamborghini’s history was the Miura Jota from the Seventies, albeit not an official factory model, the Jota has kept her place in history, even if she was crashed and lost, only to have a tribute replica built by Piet Pulford on chassis #3033. After the original Miura Jota it would take several decades for Lamborghini to create a bespoke track car with a V12 engine ultimately this would be the Diablo SV-R, later on, replaced by the Diablo GT-R, both of which raced in bespoke one-make championships.
When the Murciélago replaced the Diablo in 2001 it took a few years for a Murciélago R-GT to be created, this time a true GT1 race car that was entered in racing all over the world to compete with cars from other makes and then the V10 cars were used for the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series, first with the Gallardo, later on with the Huracan there was also a Gallardo GT3 model and now a Huracan GT3 that’s entered in competition between other makes, but until today a V12 circuit monster wasn’t made anymore.
Performance
In comes the Lamborghini Essenza SC-V12, the new limited edition track-only hypercar developed by Lamborghini’s in-house racing department, Squadra Corse, and featuring a design from the Centro Stile studio only 40 of these SC-V12 will be built, and their owners will become members of an exclusive club with access to bespoke programs in 2021, probably as a supporting race during the Super Trofeo season.
The engine’s 830 hp comes from a RAM system to lift power during high speed, the thundering exhaust has been created in collaboration with Capristo, power is transmitted to the drivetrain via an X-trac sequential gearbox in a rear-wheel drive-only setup, the power-to-weight ratio of 1.66 hp/kg is achieved thanks to the use of a carbon-fiber tub without integrated roll cage developed with FIA prototype safety rules in mind.
Pirelli tires on 19 and 20-inch magnesium wheels to the front and rear hide a Brembo Motorsport developed brake system, while the aerodynamic shape of the Essenza SC-V12 creates 1,200 kg of downforce at 250 Km/h, that’s more than the current GT3 cars.
The special steering wheel was inspired by F1 racing, it incorporates a display and all necessary controls so the driver does not have to let go of the wheel while being seated in a carbon fiber OMP racing seat, fully homologated by the FIA.
Design
This extreme race car features a unique design focused on aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and pure driving performance. Here are some key design elements of the Essenza SCV12:
- Aerodynamics: The Essenza SCV12’s bodywork is sculpted to optimize aerodynamics, increasing downforce and stability at high speeds. Its prominent front splitter, large rear wing, and aggressive rear diffuser work in tandem to generate significant downforce, rivaling that of a GT3 race car.
- Lightweight construction: The SCV12 uses a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, which not only provides structural rigidity but also reduces overall weight. This enhances the car’s performance, handling, and agility on the track.
- Powertrain: At its heart, the Essenza SCV12 features a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine, capable of producing over 830 horsepower. It is paired with a 6-speed sequential transmission and a rear-wheel-drive layout to provide a pure, unfiltered driving experience.
- Exterior design: The Essenza SCV12’s design is striking and aggressive, reflecting its performance-oriented nature. Sharp lines, large air intakes, and Y-shaped LED headlights all contribute to the car’s distinctive appearance. The car also features Lamborghini’s signature hexagonal design motifs throughout the exterior.
- Interior: The cockpit is purpose-built for track performance, with minimalist design elements to reduce weight and distractions for the driver. It features an FIA-approved racing seat, a multi-functional steering wheel inspired by Formula 1 cars, and a digital dashboard displaying essential information for the driver.
Production
The 40 Essenza SC-V12 will be sold to an elite group of customers that will become part of a new, exclusive club that offers the storage of these cars at the factory in Sant’Agata, with 24h day video surveillance, when the track calendar starts in 2021 the cars will be transported to the various FIA Grade 1 circuits, assisted by the official Squadra Corse technical staff, the owners will be able to drive their cars on the track, helped out by professional drivers.
There is no official indication yet on pricing, but don’t expect this exclusive, track-only V12 hypercar to come cheap but will these 40 customer cars be the end of the line for this model, or has the Essenza SC-V12 been created with the FIA World Endurance Championship in mind, they are adding a hypercar class (that replaces the LMP) for the 2020/2021 season it would make perfect sense.
Specification
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Track-only supercar |
| Engine | V12, 830 CV |
| Gearbox | X-trac sequential 6-speed, rear-wheel drive |
| Aerodynamics | Inspired by racing prototypes |
| Downforce | >1,200 kg (2,600 lb) at 249 km/h (155 mph) |
| Power-to-Weight Ratio | 1.66 kg/hp |
| Chassis | New-generation carbon fiber monocoque without roll cage |
| FIA Prototype Safety Compliance | Yes |
| Limited Edition Units | 40 |
| Starting Price | 2.2 million euros |
