While the world’s supercar makers busy themselves with hybrid-this and KERS/DRS-that in their new-generation road-going hypercars, Lamborghini appears to be sticking to conventional drivetrains and a well-practiced shock-and-awe approach to gain attention. If the Lamborghini Aventador Roadster wasn’t enough of a sensory overload for you, nor the Lamborghini Veneno Coupe, now the Italian manufacturer brings us the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster.
The Lamborghini Veneno was brought to life in Geneva this year to celebrate Lamborghini’s 50-year anniversary but now just nine of these mad-cap Roadster machines will be produced, which doesn’t sound like much, but compared to the Lamborghini Veneno Coupe which only sports a total production run of three, the Veneno Roadster can count itself lucky to have as many made as it is.
Under the engine cover is a 6.5-litre normally-aspirated V12 engine mated to the Aventador’s ISR single-clutch transmission. The performance figures are as outlandish as the styling, 560 kW, 0 – 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and a top speed on the high side of 350 km/h. This ballistic performance is due in part to the massive engine but also because the Veneno Roadster’s body is made entirely out of carbon fibre and weighs less than 1 500 kg.
Every piece of the carbon fibre monocoque is sculpted to achieve the most downforce and perfect airflow in conjunction with the front and rear ends, flat underbody, rear wing and trick-wheels to achieve maximum aerodynamic efficiency. Permanent all-wheel drive puts all that power to the road and a racing chassis with pushrod suspension and horizontal spring/damper units keeps it steady and true at high speed.
The asking price is $4.5 million (think R45 million) and while that means its exclusivity clearly comes at a price, one thing you don’t get included in the price is a roof. Yes, this extreme road going exotic is only meant for driving in fair weather.
