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Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

The V12 Raging Bull

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ / SVJ 63

In late July 2018, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ became the latest production car to break the lap record at the legendary testing ground that is the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It would be more than a month later before the car was officially unveiled to the public, during Monterey Car Week taking place in Pebble Beach, California. It was going to take nothing short of special to dethrone the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, and Lamborghini’s new flagship car is something beyond even that.

Presented at the event was a special version of the car – known as the SVJ 63 – which is understood to have its own special color, trim and other bits which will differentiate it from the ‘standard’ SVJ. Its moniker pays homage to 1963 – the year the company was founded – and only 63 examples will be produced to further emphasize its exclusivity.

Being the current production car lap record holder at the ‘Ring takes a lot more than just a flashy paint job and hype. To power its way around this treacherous course, the Aventador SVJ employs a naturally aspirated 6.5L V12 engine which delivers 770-horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 530 lb-ft of torque at 6,750 rpm to its all-wheel-drive system. It is able to do 0-100 km/h in only 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of over 349 km/h.

With the prolific use of carbon fibre and lightweight materials throughout the car, the SVJ weighs only 1,525 kg. Four-wheel steering remains a feature on the SVJ and it also benefits from suspension upgrades over the regular Aventador to improve overall mechanical grip, rigidity and driving feel.

Lamborghini is also introducing Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva 2.0 on the Aventador SVJ, which is an electronic system that controls actuators which open and close flaps on the front splitter, engine cover and rear wing. In conjunction with Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Attiva 2.0, the SVJ’s computer system is able to determine where downforce is needed in live time. It is then able to direct downforce to the wheels that need it most, with pinpoint precision and millisecond response time. The Aventador SVJ is quite likely the most profound example of active-aerodynamics on a production car.

Production numbers of the Aventador SVJ will be limited to 900 units (which is includes the SVJ  63). Deliveries are expected in the first quarter of 2019 with a base price of $517,770 USD.

‘The challenge to Lamborghini designers and engineers was to improve the purest essence of the Lamborghini super sports car, drawing on every inspiration from a space ship to a jet fighter: all the most exceptional examples of super-fast, super-athletic, aerodynamic superiority,’ said Lamborghini CEO, Stefano Domenicali. ‘The Aventador SVJ takes another step into the future, shaping the potential for super sports car development.’