Meet the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, the first all-new Lambo production car in eight years. It replaces the much-loved Murcielago, which has been on sale since 2001. The new Lamborghini gets its full unveiling at the 2011 Geneva motor show. And while the Aventador’s styling is a clean evolution rather than a striking revolution, the rest of the car is box-fresh. The engine, gearbox and carbonfibre chassis are all brand new. Grabbing all the headlines will be the new, mid-mounted, naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12, which boasts 690bhp and 509lb ft. That makes the Aventador the most powerful Lamborghini yet, and with a claimed 0-62mph sprint of 2.9sec and a 217mph top speed, it is also the fastest. Peak power is delivered at a heady (and no doubt pretty sonorous) 8250rpm. The gearbox sits in front of the engine, and is a unique, freshly designed single-clutch automated manual. It has seven speeds and is designed to possess the speed and polish of a typical twin-clutch affair. Gearshifts take just 50 milliseconds. As with the bulk of Lamborghini’s recent supercars, the Aventador is all-wheel drive, though with a more rearward bias than before. The suspension is a Formula 1-style inboard pushrod spring and damper set-up, a system previously seen on only the most expensive hypercars, such as the Ferrari Enzo and Maserati MC12.  Carbonfibre features heavily in the Aventador’s construction, not least in the one-piece tub which surrounds the passenger. It weighs just 147.5kg but is extremely strong, and helps contribute to a 1575kg kerbweight, a 90kg saving over the Murcielago. And, of course, there’s a lick of bright orange paint and a pair of dramatically opening doors. The Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 should certainly have the might and the technology to challenge its latest V12 Italian rivals, the Ferrari FF and Pagani Huayra, both on the Geneva show floor and when we eventually drive all three. Can’t wait… See evo Issue 155, on sale Wednesday March 2, for the full Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 story

We drive the new V12 Lamborghini LP700-4 Click here for the full 2011 Geneva motor show roundup

Extra Info

Specifications

ENGINE:

Type V12, 60°, MPIDisplacement 6498 ccBore and stroke 95 mm x 76,4 mmValve gear Variable valve timing electronically controlledCompression ratio 11.8 ± 0.2Maximum power 700 HP (515 kW) at 8250 rpmMaximum torque 690 Nm at 5500 rpmEmission class EURO 5 - LEV 2Emission control system Catalytic converters with lambda sensorsCooling system Water and oil cooling system in the rear with variable air inletsEngine management system Lamborghini Iniezione Elettronica (LIE) with Ion current analysisLubrication system Dry sumpDRIVETRAIN:Type of transmission 4WD with Haldex generation IVGearbox 7 speed ISR, shifting characteristic depending on drive select modeStandard AMT 27Clutch Dry double plate clutch, 235 mm

PERFORMANCE:Top speed 350 km/hAcceleration (0–100 km/h [0–62mph]) 2.9 sec.DIMENSIONS:Wheelbase 2700 mmOverall length 4780 mmOverall width (excluding mirrors) 2030 mmOverall height 1136 mmTrack (front – rear) 1720 mm - 1700 mmDry weight 1575 KgWeight distribution (front – rear) 43% - 57%

PRICE:UK GBP 201.900,00 (suggested retail price taxes excluded) Europe € 255.000 (suggested retail price taxes excluded) USA 379.700 USD (suggested retail price – GGT included) China RMB 6.270.000,00 (suggested retail price taxes included) Japan YEN 39.690.000,00 (suggested retail price taxes included)