The brand new, super exotic Lamborghini Reventón has been unveiled during the press conference at the 2007 edition of the IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt, a totally different car than the Murciélago LP640 it was based on, but still very much a Raging Bull.
The official press release unveiled all the details, but some details are this, a modified LP640 engine with no less than 650 Hp from a total displacement of 6.5 liters, other than that the engine is just about the only item from the base car that hasn’t been modified or replaced during the creation of the impressive Reventón.
I was lucky enough to be able to attend the press conference, when Stephan Winkelmann proudly had the car unveiled by three lovely ladies, the Reventón marks another milestone in the history of Automobili Lamborghini SpA since it’s founding more than 40 years ago, this will be the most expensive car ever to leave the gates at Sant’Agata. With a worldwide list price of a cool 1 million Euro (excluding taxes) and a production run of no more than 20 units, the new Reventón will become an instant collector’s item, I can imagine only a few of these 20 cars will actually be driven on the road, which is a real pity actually.
Lamborghini Reventon Interior & Exterior Design
With a totally new dashboard treatment and amazing seats, this is a Lamborghini that is destined to be enjoyed on the open road, as a side note, the entire dashboard cluster is machined from a solid piece of aluminum, covered by a Carbon Fiber section to avoid glare. The instruments itself are even more exclusive, there are three LCD monitors that actually display all necessary information, the central screen even shows G-Forces just to make sure you know how much G’s you are pulling going around the corners, just like in a fighter plane, from which the initial design was taken in fact.
Going to the exterior design, it is different, very angular and wide, using a vast collection of angles and design clues the wide rear fenders are amazing, the front lights are innovative, and the taillight clusters are made of three arrays of special heat resistant LED’s to be able to cope with the heat from the central mounted, massive exhaust pipe.
A close look at the design of the car shows that the wheelarches are somewhat angular now, not round like on the original LP640 Murciélago, it is obvious the car was based on this flagship, but still it is totally different nonetheless. The triangular design of the front spoiler and hood is taken all the way back to the engine cover and rear section. Also note that the engine cover is again finished with glass ‘blades’ to give everybody a glance at the heart of the car. Another styling detail, the special fuel filler is made from one single piece of aluminum, another detail that shows the impressive amount of workmanship that will go into each of the 20 cars that will be built and delivered to their lucky owners during 2008, all finished in the special grey/green shade, that actually isn’t glossy, but due to the subtle addition of metallic flakes in the paint give an unseen shine when parked in the sunshine.
If you were under the impression the LP640 sits on nice wheels, the Reventón takes it to the next level, the black rims are finished in a high gloss, and each of the five spokes has a special Carbon Fiber fin attached to it, to create a jet turbine look and in the mean time create extra cooling for the standard ceramic discs.
There is no doubt the Reventón will stir emotions once again, but you can’t deny the fact that Automobili Lamborghini SpA isn’t following the well known path, they are building innovative cars, just like the Miura and the Countach were years ahead of their time when they were introduced, the Reventón is ahead of it’s time, and it’s competition today and rumour has it all 20 cars are actually already sold when this first prototype was shown in Frankfurt.
Powertrain and Performance
At the heart of the Lamborghini Reventón lies a longitudinally mid-mounted 6.5-liter V12 engine. With an output of 650 horsepower at 8,000 RPM and 487 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 RPM, this naturally aspirated powerplant offers an exceptional power-to-weight ratio. The Reventón’s V12 utilizes a variable geometry intake system, which optimizes airflow through the engine, leading to improved throttle response and an exhilarating, linear power delivery.
Mated to the V12 engine is a six-speed e-gear transmission with paddle shifters. This electrohydraulic manual gearbox provides lightning-fast shifts while allowing the driver to maintain control over the power delivery. The result is a 0-60 mph time of just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 211 mph.
Chassis and Suspension
The Reventón’s chassis is constructed from high-strength tubular steel and carbon fiber, ensuring a rigid and lightweight foundation for the car’s performance capabilities. The suspension system is a double-wishbone design with inboard pushrod-actuated coilover shock absorbers, which provide precision handling and excellent road feedback.
The all-wheel-drive system includes a central viscous coupling unit, which distributes torque between the front and rear axles depending on driving conditions. This ensures optimal traction in all situations, allowing the Reventón to maintain its composure at the limit of its capabilities.
Braking and Wheels
Braking is handled by massive 380mm carbon-ceramic discs at all four corners, which offer fade-resistant stopping power and reduced unsprung weight. The Reventón is equipped with 18-inch forged aluminum wheels, wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires (245/35 ZR18 front and 335/30 ZR18 rear), providing exceptional grip and lateral stability.