In the
year of its 50th anniversary Lamborghini has presented
an extremely exclusive model at the Geneva Motor Show
2013. Only three unique units of the Lamborghini Veneno
will 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. With a maximum output of 552 kW / 750 hp, the
Veneno accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.8
seconds and the top speed for this street-legal racing
car stands at 355 km/h. It is priced at three million
Euros plus tax – and all three units have already been
sold to customers.
The Lamborghini Veneno features a twelve-cylinder power
unit with a displacement of 6.5 liters, an extremely
fast-shifting 7-speed ISR transmission with 5 driving
modes and permanent all-wheel drive, as well as a racing
chassis with pushrod suspension and horizontal
spring/damper units. Above all, however, the Veneno
benefits from the very expertise that Lamborghini
possesses in the development and execution of carbon-fiber
materials – the complete chassis is produced as a CFRP
monocoque, as is the outer skin of this extreme sports
car. The inside, too, features innovative,
Lamborghini-patented materials such as Forged Composite
and CarbonSkin.
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.
The Design
The Lamborghini Veneno aims to bring the aerodynamic
efficiency of a racing prototype to the road. Every
detail of its form pursues a clear function –
exceptional dynamics, optimum downforce 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 downforce. 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 ensure perfect airflow to the
large openings for engine cooling and intake air.
Just like the front end, the rear of the Veneno has also
been optimized for underbody aerodynamics and high speed
cornering stability. The smooth underbody transitions
into a substantial diffuser framing the four sizable
exhaust pipes divided by a splitter to increase the
level of downforce peak. 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 engine
cover extends into a large central “shark” fin, which
improves efficiency during braking and rear-end
stability, by delivering additional downforce at high
yaw angles and thus increasing the high-speed cornering
performance.
The adjustable rear wing’s design is the product of
motorsport experience and extensive aerodynamic
simulation to ensure 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
center 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 Veneno is painted in an all-new, grey metallic-look
color with individual parts gleaming in the black of the
visible carbon-fiber structure. The only car to display
all three colors of the Italian flag as an accent is the
car shown at Geneva, the unit which will remain property
of Lamborghini. The three cars sold to customers each
feature a single color of the Italian national flag,
together a triology in green, white and red accents and
thus representing each a unique piece.
The Technology
The Veneno aims to be proof of Lamborghini’s competence
in CFRP-based lightweight design. A monocoque made from
carbon-fiber reinforced polymer forms the basis of the
Veneno. It is largely similar to the Aventador monocoque
– as are the aluminium sub-frames front and rear –
although its form has been adapted to the new design.
All exterior parts are made from CFRP. The Veneno meets
all safety and registration requirements worldwide, and
naturally also incorporates a full complement of safety
systems from airbags through to the adapted ESP handling
system.
Carbon fiber dominates the interior of the Veneno, too.
The carbon fiber 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 fiber 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.
The systematic, carbon-fiber, lightweight design of the
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
(4,25 lbs/hp) guarantees a performance that is nothing
short of mind-blowing. Even the stunning acceleration
figure of 2,8 seconds cannot adequately describe it.
Despite an aerodynamic setup configured for extreme
downforce, the Veneno possesses exceptionally low wind
resistance which allows it to reach a top speed of 355
km/h (221 mph).
The twelve-cylinder with a displacement of 6.5 liters is
a thrilling combination of absolute high-revving frenzy
and phenomenal pulling power. Its output has been raised
to 552 kW / 750 hp, facilitated through enlarged intake
paths, optimized thermodynamics, a slightly higher rated
rpm and an exhaust system with even lower back pressure.
The ISR manual gearbox, permanent all-wheel drive and
pushrod suspension have all been specifically adjusted
to meet the demands of the Veneno.
The Lamborghini Veneno celebrates its first public
appearance at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The vehicle on
show is the number 0, the Lamborghini test vehicle. 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 and handed over to their
future owners.
|
|
|
