Lamborghini Aventador | Top Gear | BBC

Summary

The script reviews Lamborghini's Aventador, a £248,000 V12 flagship with an emphasis on handling over top speed. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, reaching 217 mph. The Aventador features a 6.5-liter engine producing 700 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and a quick-shifting gearbox. Despite its high-tech upgrades, including push-rod suspension and carbon fiber chassis, the reviewer misses the traditional 'Lambo fear factor', noting it's now as manageable as a luxury sedan.

Takeaways

• 🇮🇹 Italian car companies, particularly Lamborghini, are known for taking their time with their flagship models.
• 🚗 The Aventador is Lamborghini's new V12 flagship, costing £248,000 and designed to resemble a stealth fighter jet.
• 🔑 The Aventador features a starter button inspired by Top Gun, emphasizing its high-performance nature.
• 🔄 Lamborghini has changed its priority from top speed and acceleration to handling for the Aventador.
• ⏱️ The Aventador can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, showing that acceleration remains a key feature.
• 🏎️ It has a top speed of 217 miles per hour, which is faster than its predecessor, the Murcielago.
• 🏭 Despite industry trends towards smaller engines, Lamborghini insists on a V12 for the Aventador, a signature feature of the brand.
• 🐎 The Aventador produces 691 horsepower (rounded to 700 in 'Top Gear' terms), distributed to all four wheels.
• 🔧 The car features a unique flappy paddle gearbox that can shift in less than 50 milliseconds.
• 🔧 The Aventador also includes high-tech features like strada and corsa modes, with the latter offering a more aggressive driving experience.
• 🏁 The car's handling is significantly improved with features like push-rod suspension, making it a serious player in the supercar market.
• 🛠️ The Aventador is more refined and user-friendly than previous Lamborghini models, with functional air-conditioning and a less intimidating driving experience.

Q & A

What is the name of Lamborghini's new flagship car mentioned in the script?

The new flagship car is called the Aventador.

How much does the Lamborghini Aventador cost?

The Lamborghini Aventador costs £248,000.

What is unique about the starter button of the Aventador?

The starter button of the Aventador is straight out of Top Gun, suggesting a similarity to a fighter jet's controls.

What is the new priority order for Lamborghini's new car in terms of performance features?

The new priority order for the Lamborghini Aventador is handling, acceleration, and then top speed.

What is the 0 to 60 mph acceleration time for the Aventador?

The Aventador can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.

What is the top speed of the Aventador?

The top speed of the Aventador is 217 miles an hour.

What is the significance of the Aventador's 6.5 litre engine?

The Aventador's 6.5 litre engine is Lamborghini's first all-new V12 in almost 50 years and is a signature feature of the car.

How does the Aventador's horsepower compare to other cars in its class?

The Aventador has 691 horsepower, which is rounded up to 700 in Top Gear maths, indicating it has a high horsepower compared to others.

What unique gearbox design does the Aventador use?

The Aventador uses a unique design of flappy paddle gearbox that can change gears in less than 50 milliseconds.

What high-tech features does the Aventador have for different driving modes?

The Aventador has different driving modes including strada for the road and corsa for the track, which significantly change the car's performance.

What kind of suspension system does the Aventador have?

The Aventador has push-rod suspension, which is very clever and usually unheard of in a road car, being more common in F1.

How does the Aventador compare to older Lamborghini models in terms of drivability and safety?

The Aventador is described as easier to drive and safer compared to older Lamborghini models, with a chassis made from carbon fibre, working air-conditioning, and a more manageable performance.