Even at over R7-million a pop (€357 000 or US$480 000) Lamborghini have sold out of their Aventador Roadster LP700-4 allocation. The waiting list now stretches well into the middle of 2014, after the Italian supercar manufacturer’s elaborate Miami Homestead Raceway presentation of what they themselves are calling their fastest, most exclusive and most hi-tech convertible supercar ever.
The Lamborghini Aventador Roadster LP700-4 is clearly one of the fastest and most expensive convertible supercars in the world. It’s powered by a 6.5-litre, normally aspirated V12 that generates 515 kW and 689 Nm of torque. Channelled through a 7-speed paddle-shift gearbox, Haldex coupling all-wheel drive and with sophisticated push-rod suspension to keep the all carbon fibre body on the ground, the LP700-4 It is capable of sprinting to 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds and onto a top speed of 350 km/h.
The Aventador Roadster does receive several styling changes in its transformation to a Roadster, aside of course from the removable roof, but the drivetrain and mechanicals are almost identical, except for engine cylinder deactivation and stop/start to improve fuel economy. The consumption figure is now 16 L/100 km on the combined cycle, while CO2 emissions have fallen from 398 g/km to 370 g/km.
All-new additions to the Aventador Roadster include new Dione 20-inch and 21-inch forged alloy wheels that actually reduce the car’s weight by 10 kg over the standard wheels. Apart from the overall design of the roadster, the party piece of the Roadster is the two-piece hardtop, which Lamborghini would rather you left off the car altogether. Made from forged carbon fibre, each section weighs just 6 kg and is easily installed or removed by one person in a matter of minutes, or so Lamborghini claim.
Two sets of hexagonal windows running along ‘the spine’ of the car, over the engine cover, add a unique aesthetic value, but also cool the engine bay. Reinforcement to the car’s rigidity means the Lamborghini Aventador Roadster adds 50 kg to its kerb weight, bringing the Aventador Roadster LP700-4′s total weight to 1 625 kg. Lamborghini say this extra weight has not, however, affected lap times during testing.
The Aventador Roadster represents a US$33 500 (R330 000) price hike over the asking price of the Lamborghini Aventador Coupe, which debuted last year. The daunting R7-million plus price tag will decree the Aventador Roadster with some exclusivity for sure, as will the fact that, theoretically, only 2.5 Aventador Roadsters can be built on a daily basis.
Lamborghini’s total Aventador output (hardtop as well as Roadster) is just 4.5 cars per day. Even the Lamborghini Aventador Coupe has sold all 1247 units, with backorders stretching to 15 months from now.
