LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR

Specifications

Lamborghini’s V12 replacement for the Murciélago supercar, the Aventador is a big, low, squat and wide monster from the old school. Sporting a mid-mounted 6.5-litre V12, a 0–62mph time under three seconds and a 217mph top speed, this is the meanest car in Lamborghini’s current range, built using a carbon-fibre monocoque and draped with aluminium and CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic) panels. There’s a four-wheel drive, bespoke ISR 7spd paddleshift transmission and bodywork that scares small children. We love it dearly.

Three modes exist in the Aventador driving experience, all worked from adjustments to the car’s centre differential: Strada (road), Sport (er… sport) and Corsa (race). Strada is full of lazy gearchanges from the seven-speed ISR ’box and relaxed – as relaxed as the Aventador ever gets – suspension settings, throwing up understeer more often then not. Sport is the best compromise, allowing a little slip from the rear and snappier changes, while Corsa is a full-on track mode which smashes gearchanges and turns the Aventador into a lunging, scary, smoky monster.

The brakes are exceptional carbon-ceramics, hauling the 1,700kg car down from three-figure speeds without fuss, the steering is positive and accurate and the body control fabulous. But it never feels small and – one would assume – will be a bugger to parallel park.