Owned by Volkswagen Group and enjoying record sales, the latest Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, in which the ‘J’ suffix stands for ‘Jota’ to underscore its ultra-high performance potential, has already set a fresh record for lapping the Nurburgring circuit in Germany. It turned in a time of 6m 44.97s (I can admit to lapping at just under ten minutes, so, believe me, Lambo’s time is very fast).
Powered by a highly pedigreed V12 engine that develops a monstrous 770bhp at 8,500rpm, the ‘phat’ Lambo needs its four-wheel-drive and four-wheel-steering for maximum control. Naturally, you want to know just how fast it is, so (deep intake of breath)…it will crack the 0-60mph barrier in a flaming cool 2.5s and promises a top speed in excess of 217mph. Travelling at those velocities will demand ready access to petrol stations and a very flexible credit card, because both fuel consumption and exhaust emissions will set fresh records at the wrong end of the spectrum for those of us of a more impecunious nature and bank history.
Talking of history, Lamborghini’s dates back to the 1950s, when its founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini used to produce tractors. He formed his sports car company in 1963 at Sant’Agata, in the Bolognese region of northern Italy. While it had a modicum of success, Ferruccio retired in 1974 and, four years later, the company went into liquidation. It was saved and endured ownership in private hands, until Chrysler Corporation bought it in 1987. It was sold subsequently to a Malaysian conglomerate, before VW bought the firm in 1998.
The latest Aventador SVJ creates pure driving perfection, taking the concept of a super sports car into a new dimension. Intriguingly, the company’s boss will be familiar to viewers of Formula One; Sr Stefano Domenicali. He says: “The challenge to Lamborghini designers and engineers was to improve the purest essence of the Lamborghini super sports car, drawing on every inspiration from a space ship, to a jet fighter: all the most exceptional examples of super-fast, super-athletic, aerodynamic superiority. The Aventador SVJ takes another step into the future, shaping the potential for super sports car development.”
The Aventador SVJ is, however, more than a super sports car achieving the top numbers. It can haul-up from 60mph in around 30 yards. The development philosophy of the Aventador SVJ and its very essence in terms of design, aerodynamic technology and (relative) efficiency, weight-to-power, as well as performance, is to create a demanding driver’s perfect car.
The SVJ’s steering has also been developed to provide the feedback demanded in high-performance track and racing environments. Rebalanced, it reflects the specific aero load and the tyre deflection to further improve steering precision and natural feedback. The four-wheel-drive system features an enhanced torque split to maximise traction and agility, while the rear-wheel steering has been developed to further improve the car’s stability, to reduce braking distances, particularly in combined braking/turning conditions, such as high speed cornering.
New Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres have been developed, with higher vertical stiffness to accommodate the SVJ’s greater aerodynamic downforce, as well as provide a high grip level. The tread design optimises performance on both road and track. However, optional street-legal Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres can be mounted specifically for track use.
As you would expect of a lesser VW product, four electronic driving modes, customisable graphics for the digital dashboard, a sat-nav and infotainment system are all available. Lamborghini’s telemetry system is an optional extra and enables the recording of lap times and track performance, as well as trip data. It appeals to the owner, who wants to take his car on racing circuits.
