We’ve seen it unveiled online. We’ve seen what it can do. We’ve even heard news of a roadster version to follow. But this is the first time we’ve seen the new Lamborghini Aventador SVJ shown to the public at a major motor show.
The ultimate version of the Raging Bull marque’s twelve-cylinder supercar, the Aventador SVJ is easily one of the fastest, most powerful vehicles on display at the Paris Auto Show this year.
It packs a 6.5-liter V12 – completely naturally aspirated – capable of producing 759 horsepower (566 kW) and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm) of torque. Sent to all four wheels, it’ll reach 62 mph (100 km/h) from a standstill in just 2.8 seconds, 124 mph (200 km/h) in 8.6, and top out at over 217 mph (349 km/h).
More to the point, it’ll lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in under 6 minutes and 45 seconds, knocking the 911 GT2 RS built by sister-company Porsche off its perch.
The engine is only part of the equation, though. That blistering performance is further enabled by active aerodynamics, which increases downforce by a whopping 40 percent while actually decreasing drag over the “standard” Aventador.
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Of course the four-wheel steering system helps as well, as do the super-sticky, semi-slick Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, which help overcome the weak point that is Lamborghini’s seven-speed, single-clutch, independent shift-rod transmission.
Unfortunately, as you might have guessed, it’s rather expensive. Over half a million, to US customers. And only 900 examples will be made, which is more than the 600 examples of the previous SuperVeloce that the factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese made between 2015 and 2017.
But for most of us, a car show like the one in Paris this week may very well represent the best chance we have of seeing one up close… or at least seeing one standing still, given the pace of which it’s proven capable.