Lamborghini Aventador lp700-4,2012

The 2012 Lamborghini Aventador is intimidating. It's not the wild paint or the razor-sharp styling. It's not the 690-horsepower V12 lurking behind your shoulder or the Lamborghini lore of punishing overzealous drivers. It's not even the sky-high price. No, it's the indisputably alien nature of the Aventador.
The new engine was designed, developed, and will be hand assembled entirely at Lamborghini's headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognese. An all-new 6.5-liter V-12 engine produces 700 hp (that's 60 hp more than the outgoing Murciélago) at a crankshaft whirling 8,250 rpm. Maximum torque is 509 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm.  

Speaking of lighter weight, the entire body weighs a mere 505 pounds, while its torsional rigidity is much greater than that of the Murciélago. This is due to Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic, (CFRP), as used in Formula 1 racecars. The entire monocoque of the car—basically the central part of the car, including the roof—is made of carbon fiber and weighs only 324 pounds, yet provides the safety roll cage protection of a race car.

It features a host of eccentricities that focus equally on wowing crowds and returning performance superlatives. Its chassis is built primarily of carbon fiber; horizontally mounted and pushrod-actuated Ohlins shocks sit at all four corners; its start button is covered by a red plastic flap you flip with your thumb to access as one might do to fire an intercontinental ballistic missile; and its wing and air inlets deploy like flaps on a plane. (A dash indicator relays the wing's position should you be too busy to check the rear view, or, in Italian fashion, simply not care.)

Interior Options

• Steering Wheel w/Suede Leather Inserts
• Steering Wheel w/Perforated Leather Inserts
• Lamborghini Sound System (LSS)
• Smoker Package
• Multifunction Steering Wheel in Smooth Leather
• Multifunction Steering Wheel w/Suede Leather Inserts
• Fully Electric and Heated Seats
• Homelink
• Branding Package
• Bicolore Elegante Plus Interior
• Unicolor Interior w/Contrast Stitching
• Multifunction Steering Wheel w/Perforated Leather Inserts
• Bicolore Sportivo Interior w/Alcantara
• Bicolore Sportivo Interior
• Park Assistance
• Bicolore Elegante Interior

Exterior Options

• Yellow Brake Callipers
• Shiny Black Rims
• Transparent Engine Bonnet
• Orange Brake Callipers
• Grey Brake Callipers
• T-Engine Cover in Carbon Fiber

Fuel

• Fuel type: gas
• Fuel type: premium unleaded (required)
• Fuel tank capacity: 23.8 gal.
• Range in miles (cty/hwy): 261.8/404.6 mi.
• EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 11/17 mpg

Safety & Security

• 4-wheel ABS
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Remote anti-theft alarm system
• Daytime running lights
• Engine immobilizer
• Dusk sensing headlamps
• Xenon high intensity discharge headlamp
• 2 front headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Front integrated headrests
• Tire pressure monitoring
  
  Exotic sports cars don't usually get cross-shopped like mid-size sedans, but the Aventador can still be compared with the Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano, the Aston Martin DBS and the McLaren MP4-12C. Base Price: [$379,700]