In this magazine we often jest about our readiness to give up body parts every time we're confronted with a new supercar. However, as I stand face-to-face with the 690bhp, 350kph Lamborghini Aventador these peculiar intellectual meanderings are slowly transforming into genuine contemplation about life sans a kidney. And an eye. And it'll have to be both, because our test car sports a price tag of about Dh1.6 million.
Sure it looks stunning in still images, but as I scan its otherworldly form, I'm inclined to say that photography doesn't quite do it justice. Its large, squatted body punctuated by cold, piercing LED eyes give it an awe-inspiring and — I'm not ashamed to admit — slightly intimidating aura. It's a chilly apparition that makes Paganis and Koenigseggs look like Kia Picantos in comparison.
The Reventón-style nose and the pointy splitter sit wallet-dentingly close to the tarmac, while the quadrilateral intakes set the styling tone for the rest of the car. As my eyes wander further towards the rear that motif starts emerging everywhereI look. Even the wheel arches, which in any other car are smoothly rounded, acquire a jagged form in the Aventador.
My gaze ricochets between the many styling flourishes before finally settling on the indentation on the roof, which flows sharply into the rear. Another round of visual mayhem ensues. The engine cover slats display similar angular propensity, and the sharp character lines running along the sides shoot skywards at the tail. It looks absolutely brilliant in a scaly, Robosaurus sort of way.
The cabin too echoes the same geometrical theme; it looks stunning. Most cars get only one or the other right. This is perhaps the most faultless and cohesive piece of automotive design in a long time. But the breathtaking form aside, I'm fully aware that this is going to be a churlish car to drive. Big Lambos always are. Though I can find some comfort in the fact that the world's motoring press think this is Lamborghini turned down a notch, still 690bhp and 680Nm of torque are nothing to sneeze at.
So bravely, or stupidly as I may discover later, I've decided to work my way backwards. Starting off in Corsa — the wild, track-biased set up.
Poke the magic button concealed undera jet-fighterish and exceedingly cool red flap and the illusory rev needle on the LCD display hurls itself to 4,000rpm as the 6.5-litre V12 ignites with the kind of aural hysteria you'd associate with an erupting volcano.
Flick the right paddle to select first. Switch to Corsa. Gearbox in do-it-yourself mode, flex your right ankle and the Aventador slingshots off the line with neck-creaking ferocity. Into second and the new seven-speed ISR transmission changes gear with such force, it feels like you've been rear-ended by a lorry. The digital speedo can barely keep up as 100kph is desptached in 2.9 seconds.
The almighty V12 wail engulfs the cabin as the revs rise relentlessly to the deafening 8,500rpm redline. At crescendo it's like Slayer banging out a death metal version of the Götterdämmerung and the Marshalls are strapped directly to your eardrums. It's brutal and mellifluous at the same time. But so far not even a mild suggestion of anger problems that tainted the Murciélago.
The Murcié didn't suffer fools gladly but the Aventador is a different animal; Lamborghini says it's much more manageable at high speeds. And, likea fool, spurred on by the spiel, I entera bend faster than I should. And as I dart towards the exit, halfway through, and without warning, the back rubbers start howling ominously, the tail wiggles out of shape and the Armco rapidly starts filling up the side window. Even though it's an AWD car, the centre differential channels all the 690 horses to the 335/30ZR 20in rear Pirellis and it's only when idiots like yours truly overcook it, that the computers send reinforcements to the front. I feela slight tug at the steering wheel and the car elegantly gathers itself.
The 400mm carbon brakes, that's bigger than your Tiida's wheel in case you're wondering, are amongst the best in class too. While the stopping power is immense it's the feel that sets them apart. Similar set-ups usually require all your might to operate, but it's all progressive and nicely weighted here. The Aventador stops, goes and steers like a proper sportscar.
And this stellar composure isn't a coincidence. Underpinning the Aventador is real racecar paraphernalia such as a carbon fibre monotub and pushrod suspension. The latter set-up includes double wishbones and pushrod arrangement, so wheel control and damping remain independent of each other for more precise handling. And the rigid connection to the chassis means the engineers can make the springs softer without affecting the handling adversely, resulting in a more pliant ride. I'd go as far as to say it's comfortable.
But after just 20 minutes behind the wheel, including what are possibly the scariest few seconds of my life, the three-pronged assault of pace, noise and actual physical battering from the gearbox, is beginning to leave me weary. Yet completely in awe of what's been achieved here. Driving sensation? The Aventador ramps it up to eleven and force-feeds it through every pore of your body.
I've courageously decided to back off and switch to default Strada (street) mode for the remainder of this test drive. While cruising, the seven-speed transmission feels a bit grumpy, but comes into is element as you pile on the speed.
Lamborghini deliberately chose to stay away from a dual-clutch set-up to preserve the "emotion" of gear changes. Even though in Corsa the only emotion you feel is pain, it's a mighty good tranny swapping cogs in just 50ms. And furthermore by the virtue of not being a DSG, it's compact and weighs just 75kg. All good stuff.
In auto the gaping torque void between shifts causes your head to bob involuntarily, and rear visibility is akin to peeping at the world through a half-open Venetian blind. But despite these idiosyncrasies and a feisty first acquaintance, the Aventador is relatively easy to drive.
Make no mistake, it's still a quintessential supercar though. It's unfeasibly loud, bonkers quick and obscenely dramatic. It'sa proper Lamborghini. And I need one in my life. Now, anyone need a kidney?
Specs & ratings
- Model Aventador LP700-4
- Engine 6.5-litre V12
- Transmission Seven-speed auto, AWD
- Max power 690bhp @ 8,250rpm
- Max torque 680Nm @ 5,500rpm
- Top speed 350kph
- 0-100kph 2.9sec
- Price Dh1.6million (as tested)
