The 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S has been improved from the previous Aventador LP700-4 model, boasting more power, styling, and aerodynamic upgrades. It features increased aero efficiency, four-wheel steering, and improved predictability at the limit. With 740ps of power, the Aventador S can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds, 0-200km/h in 8.8 seconds, 0-300km/h in 24.2 seconds, and reach a top speed of 350km/h.
The Italian in the driver's seat looked like he jumped right out of a men's fashion mag. His suit was on-point, his hair was trim, and his gaze was straight outta the runway. As he sped through Valencia, Spain, he took the roundabouts like a pro and shifted gears with a leather-gloved hand. Avicii's club-pop jams set the tone for a scene that was straight-up Italian AF—totally Lambo-level.
It's the perfect intro to a car that screams Italian. With a V-12 engine giving equal parts emotion and power, the Aventador S's flaws only make it more unique. Nothin' new here. In 2017, the Lamborghini Aventador S is basically a mid-cycle refresh of the Aventador LP700-4, which is being replaced this spring with a starting price of $424,845. Still, this update is much more than cosmetic. As we drove around Circuit Ricardo Tormo and navigated the winding roads southwest of Valencia, Avicii's catchy rhythms stayed in our heads, as Lamborghini's biggest bull has learned to move.
The new agility comes from a rear-wheel steering system that can turn the back wheels up to 1.5 degrees in the opposite direction of the fronts during low-speed moves. This reduces the amount of steering input from the driver, especially when cornering or parking - it's way easier to roll your wrists than cross your arms. The rear steering also makes the Aventador slightly more neutral, though it doesn't get rid of its natural understeer. The Aventador's been upgraded with all-wheel drive and grippier Pirelli P Zero rubber, so it won't oversteer when you hit the gas. But ease off the throttle when you're cornering and it'll drift like a pro. It's more responsive now, with the rear end wiggling under hard braking, the steering reacting faster and the throttle needing just the right touch through the bends. All-in-all, it's way more attuned to the driver.
At speeds between 65-95 mph, the rear wheels of the Lamborghini are capable of steering up to 3.0 degrees in phase with the front wheels, increasing stability. The additional hardware adds a mere 13 pounds of weight, which is completely offset by weight savings elsewhere. An actively variable steering ratio and 3rd generation magnetorheological dampers from supplier BWI are standard. These dampers are quicker to react, as they are split into two smaller coils instead of one. Strada, Sport, and Corsa driving modes are joined by the new Ego setting, a customizable position in which the powertrain, steering, suspension, and stability-control modes can be individually adjusted. None of these modes can be described as providing a "comfort" experience. Every crack, bump, and pebble that the short-travel, pushrod suspension encounters serves as a reminder of the unapologetic brute nature of the vehicle.
The 6.5-liter V-12 now packs an extra 39 horses, bringing the total to 730. That's thanks to tuning the variable-valve-timing system and variable intake manifold, plus adding 150 rpm to the top end. It'll reach 8500 rpm, singing through a retuned exhaust that screams when you open it up and crackles when you let off. Plus, you can peek into the red-hot V-12 when it's running hard through the exhaust pipes.
The Aventador's major weakness is its automated manual transmission, which produces long delays between the aggressive gear shifts. Lamborghini could have included a dual-clutch automatic gearbox for this update, but the narrow tunnel between the driver and passenger, where the transmission is located, limits their options. It is ironic that it was a faulty Ferrari clutch that inspired Ferruccio Lamborghini to create this car company, but the irony seems to have been overlooked by those at Sant’Agata.
The Lamborghini design team draws inspiration from fighter jets, venomous snakes, and spaceships, leaving them just one woman short of the ultimate design cliché. But this isn't just a typical design school fluff. The new front-end graphic of the Aventador sports actual fangs, more half-hexagon air intakes than a billion dollars worth of U.S. Air Force hardware. It's clear that the design team has gone above and beyond to create a truly unique and eye-catching car.
The Lamborghini design team has pushed the boundaries of creativity and innovation to create a car that stands out from the rest. It's clear that they have taken the time to think outside the box and create something that will leave a lasting impression. With its fangs and half-hexagon air intakes, the Aventador has become a symbol of luxury and power. It's no wonder that Lamborghini has become a household name in the automotive industry. When it comes to spaceships, we're not really sure where they fit in. But one thing is certain - when you see a Lamborghini in person, it's a spaceship compared to any other car. It's not just the angles, wedges, and hexagons - although that does have a lot to do with it - but it's also the proportions. The low roofline, the arrowhead-shaped nose, and the intimidating presence of the engine at the back all add to its appeal. Of course, this also means there's not much headroom, tall drivers have to look through the windshield header, and the rear visibility is almost non-existent. But that's not why you buy a Lambo - you buy it so that everyone can see you. And they will.