The flamboyant Italian bull from Sant’agata Bolognese has clocked 50 years since its birth. To celebrate the birthday Automobili Lamborghini presented and extremely exclusive model. Only three unique units of the Lamborghini Veneno are to be built and sold. Its design is consistently focused on optimum aerodynamics and cornering stability, giving the Veneno the real dynamic experience of a racing prototype, yet it is fully homologated for the road.
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| Lamborghini Veneno |
Fully in keeping with the tradition of the brand, the name of the Veneno originates from a legendary fighting bull. Veneno is the name of one of the strongest and most aggressive fighting bulls ever. He is also famous for being one of the fastest bulls in the history of bullfighting. His name became popular in 1914, when he fatally wounded the famous torero José Sánchez Rodríguez during the bullfight in the arena Sanlúcar de Barrameda’s, Andalusia, Spain.
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| Features a carbon fibre skin |
The systematic, carbon-fibre, lightweight design of the Lamborghini Veneno is not only visible, it is also evident on the scales: With a dry weight of just 1,450 kilograms (3,190 pounds), the Veneno is even 125 kilos (275 pounds) lighter than the already extremely lean Aventador. The highly beneficial power-to-weight ratio of 1.93 kg/hp (4,25lbs/hp) guarantees a performance that is nothing short of mind-blowing.
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| Every aspect is aerodynamically inspired |
Inspired by aerodynamics
The Lamborghini Veneno brings the aerodynamic efficiency of a racing prototype to the road. Every detail of its form pursues a clear function – exceptional dynamics, optimum down force with minimal drag and perfect cooling of the high-performance engine. Yet the Veneno is unmistakably a Lamborghini; it sticks firmly to the consistent design philosophy of all the super sports cars from Sant’Agata Bolognese. That includes the extreme proportions, as well as the powerfully arrow-shaped front end and the interplay between razor-sharp lines and precise surfaces. The entire front end of the Lamborghini Veneno has been laid out for perfect airflow and down force. The front end works as a large aerodynamic wing. Large channels guide the air to the outlets in the front hood and in front of the windshield, as well as to the front wheels. Characteristic for Lamborghini is the Y shape of the angular headlamps that reach well into the fenders as well as the scissor doors. The division of the fenders from the car body is a reference to the world of sport prototypes and optimizes at the same time the aerodynamic flow. The side line of the Veneno is therefore dominated by enormous sills and the mighty wheel arches front and rear. Here, too, sophisticated aerodynamics ensures perfect airflow to the large openings for engine cooling and intake air.
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| A race car built for the road |
Just like the front end, the rear of the Lamborghini Veneno has also been optimized for under body aerodynamics and high speed cornering stability. The smooth under body transitions into a substantial diffuser framing the four sizable exhaust pipes divided by a splitter to increase the level of down force. Large openings serve to ventilate the engine bay and manage the airflow to the rear wing, with the only sealed area at the rear being reserved for the license plate. The rear lights, including brake lights, indicator lights and fog lights, pick up the Y theme as well. The engine cover sports six wedge-shaped openings, with the focus here, too, on optimum dissipation of heat from the engine. The power unit’s cover extends into a large central “shark” fin that improves rear-end stability and delivering additional down force at high-speed cornering. The adjustable rear wing’s design ensures the best performance of rear wing interaction with rear diffuser air flow. The exclusive alloy wheels measure 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear and are equipped with centre mountings. Their design is also determined by aerodynamic functionality – a carbon-fiber ring around the wheel rim works like a turbine to deliver additional cooling air to the carbon-ceramic brake discs. The Lamborghini Veneno is painted in an all-new, grey metallic-look colour with individual parts gleaming in the black of the visible carbon-fiber structure.
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| Distinct side design |
Raging performance
Behind the driver sits a 6.5-litre V12 power unit borrowed from the Lamborghini Aventador. However, Lamborghini engineers squeezed more power from the 12 cylinders bringing the output to 750hp. Hence, 0 to 100km/h takes just 2.8 seconds while and the top speed for this street-legal racing car stands at 355 km/h. Mated to the engine is an extremely fast-shifting 7-speed ISR transmission with 5 driving modes. Permanent all-wheel drive as well as a racing chassis, with pushrod suspension and horizontal spring/damper units, ensures the full effect of 750hp is felt. The chassis is produced as a CFRP monocoque (just like the Aventador), as is the outer skin of this extreme sports car.
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| A interior made of futuristic materials |
Futuristic interior
Carbon fibre dominates the interior of the Lamborghini Veneno, too. The carbon fibre monocoque becomes visible inside the car in the area of the central tunnel and the sills. The two lightweight bucket seats are made from Lamborghini’s patented Forged Composite. The woven carbon-fiber CarbonSkin® is used to clad the entire cockpit, part of the seats and the headliner. This unique material is soaked in a very special kind of resin that stabilizes the fibre structure, while allowing the material to remain supple. Like a hi-tech fabric, this extremely fine-looking carbon-fiber matting fits perfectly to any form, and it reduces weight. The racing personality has been transferred also to the instrument panel. It has been completely redesigned and now, thanks to an aggressive graphics and to the introduction of some additional features like the G-meter, provides all necessary information to the driver for control of the car.
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| Rear looks |
Incredibly priced
Only four Lamborghini Veneno’s will be produced. One of the three, marked as number 0, will be kept by Lamborghini while the remaining three have already been sold. Lamborghini had priced the Veneno at $4.5 million (Kshs 382.5 million) Its future has not been determined yet, but it will allow Lamborghini to continue its activity of testing and innovation, both on the road and on the race track. The trilogy made of three unique vehicles will be produced in the course of the year 2013 and handed over to their future owners.
Verdict
The Lamborghini Veneno is a unique and futuristic machine. To me it’s not ugly but a true testament of aerodynamics at play. I am sure key features and technologies of the Veneno will be adapted to future Lamborghini such as the Gallardo replacement. The Lamborghini Veneno remains the most aggressive looking bull on four wheels. Post comments and questions below.