Quick Links

Just as everyone was starting to talk about the LykanHypersport as the newest entry into the world of supercars and the Ferrari LaFerrari as the latest offering in the hybrid market, Lamborghini has recaptured the automotive world’s headlines with its most recent offering. And just to show that there will always be room for improvement, the new supercar from the Italian manufacturer’s production line is faster and even more powerful than its last offering. Lamborghini unveiled the latest raging bull in its lineup during the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and it has been christened as the Lamborghini Veneno.

 

The Lamborghini Line

Automobil Lamborghini S.p.A. has always been known for its amazing line of sleek, powerful and aesthetically pleasing super cars. Ever since Ferrucio Lamborghini got into a tiff with Ferrari in the late 1950s because of a substandard clutch in the former’s Ferrari vehicle, the company has committed to design, produce and manufacture only the best vehicles possible, utilizing only the latest and safest parts available. After all, it was unbelievable and unacceptable that the clutch being used in his Ferrari supercar was similar to the ones being used for his tractors. It thus spurred Lamborghini to ensure that only the finest products come out of its production facilities.

Ever since the initial two vehicles that Lamborghini called the 350GT and the 400GT 2+2, the company has focused on giving most of its vehicles a name derived from the bullfighting industry. While there have been some exceptions, the company has stayed true to this policy, thus reinforcing its logo and image as the raging bull.

The Lamborghini line features names that just roll out of the tongue. Just the mere mention of the vehicle and you already know the sleekness, power and elegance of the supercar. Among the Lamborghini names are the following:

  • Miura – produced from 1966 to 1972, with top speed of 171 mph.
  • Espada – produced from 1968 to 1978, with top speed of 152 mph.
  • Islero– produced from 1968 to 1969, with top speed of 161 mph.
  • Jarama – produced from 1970 to 1976, with top speed of 150 mph.
  • Urraco – produced from 1973 to 1979, with top speed of 140 mph.
  • Countach – produced from 1974 to 1990, with top speed of 192 mph.
  • Silhouette – produced from 1976 to 1979, with top speed of 160 mph.
  • Jalpa – produced from 1981 to 1988, with top speed of 145 mph.
  • LM002 – produced from 1986 to 1993, with top speed of 130 mph.
  • Diablo – produced from 1990 to 2001, with top speed of 202 mph.
  • Murcielago – produced from 2001 to 2010, with top speed of 213 mph.
  • Gallardo – produced from 2003 up to now, with top speed of 202 mph.
  • Reventon – produced from 2008 to 2010, with top speed of 221.2 mph.
  • Aventador – produced from 2011 up to now, with top speed of 217mph.
  • Sesto Elemento – produced in 2012, with top speed of 219 mph.

In addition, Lamborghini has also produced several concept vehicles since 1963, with names like Flying Star II, Marzal, Bravo, Cheetah, Faena, Athon, Marco Polo, Portofino, Bertone Genesis, Cala, Zagato Raptor, Concept S, Estoque and Urus.

 

And Then Came Veneno

Veneno was a bull that lived in the early 1900s. It achieved fame, or probably notoriety, after it fatally wounded Jose Sanchez Rodriguez, a famous torero who faced the Veneno during a bullfight in the Sanlucar de Barrameda arena in Andalusia in 1914.

And just like the bull where it took its name, the Lamborghini Veneno has no pretext of being tame and green. Instead, it went against the tide of manufacturers that have introduced hybrid vehicles. While Ferrari was showing off the environmentally-friendly, petrol and electric motor-powered LaFerrari, Lamborghini was cranking up the Veneno’s powerful 6.5-liter V12 engine.

The Veneno makes extensive use of carbon fiber composite materials, be it in the chassis, body panels or cockpit. This space-age material has been widely used in racing vehicles. It significantly reduces weight even as it increases its industrial strength and crashworthiness. The car’s total weight is only 3,200 pounds, which is really light especially for a car that is this powerful.

The Veneno also goes all the way in terms of styling. It features scissors-type doors, a massive wing at the rear, air scoops mounted at the car’s roof and a stabilizer shaped just like a shark’s fin.

All these features allow the Veneno to maximize its aerodynamism and push to the extreme its downforce. The alloy wheels are also rimmed with a carbon fiber ring. This allows it to mimic the work of a turbine, thereby providing additional air to help cool the carbon ceramic brakes.

The engine is placed behind the seats. It drives all four wheels permanently and utilizes a seven-speed semi-automatic transmission that Lamborghini calls “automated manual.” It has a rating of 740 horsepower, which may be measly compared to the LaFerrari’s offering of 963 horsepower. Still, the car’s extremely light weight allows it to zoom from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds. It can also hit a top speed of up to 220 miles per hour.

The car is meant to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary. The Veneno is based on Lamborghini’s old model called the Aventador. A prototype of the vehicle actually came out before. Called the Car Zero, the prototype had a grey finish and included a vinyl of the three colors of the Italian flag on both sides of the car. The company will retain this prototype so that it could be displayed in the car manufacturer’s museum. As for the production vehicles, Lamborghini has already announced that only three units will be made, one each of red, green and white, to celebrate the Italian colors. Each will cost $3.9 million and has already been bought by avid Lamborghini customers. Two of the clients are based in the United States.