They were wrong.
What a personal joy it is for me to report on one of the most spectacular creations to ever grace the automobile universe. For years now I've been nervously reading MotorTrend and other similar publications waiting to hear that V12s and similarly large engines have henceforth been banned due to their impracticality. I've read every shock to the world economy as yet another nail in the 6.0L plus coffin, every market swing as the proverbial final straw that broke the camel's back. It is therefore with the most unrestrained pleasure that I present to you this, a creation forged by the Saints of Sant'Agata themselves, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4. Behold:
There is not much words can contribute that an image of the beast can't alone convey; however, I shall due my best to justify why I believe the Aventador is not just any other supercar. In fact I believe the Aventador is among the most fearless, bold statements of this particular new era in the automobile industry. The Aventador, at $379,000 to start is by no means within the reach of a large market of potential buyers. Yet only 4000 will ever be built over what will most likely be a 10 year production run. Contrast that with, in a good week Ford sells 4000 F-150s. So if not for profit, then what is the purpose of the Aventador? The Aventador, and Lamborghini in general as a subsidiary of the Volkswagen group is not so much a business in that its sole purpose is profit, but rather a statement that the future shall not be feared. Not by Volkswagen or Lamborghini, not by man.
The only thing to fear, is 700 horsepower itself. As far as statements go, the Aventador is a quick talker. 2.9 Seconds is the factory claimed 0-62mph technical specification. And no this isn't the 70s where factories inflate numbers as if their cars breathed only purified oxygen, the truth is the Aventador is probably faster than that. That's what happens when you give a 6.5L V12 700 hp and 509 lbs-ft to a frame weighing 3742 lbs (1575 kg). For reference, Lebron James could probably squat the weight of an Aventador in ten reps. Though as we all know that doesn't mean anything when it comes to actual game-day performance. Rest assured though, the Aventador leaves no doubt as to whether it can perform during the moment. This bull is potent.
Leaving what you can't see in the picture behind, let's talk about my favorite aspect of this car (calling it a car seems so trivial doesn't it?): The styling. Wow. I remember thinking when I first saw pictures of the Aventador that it wasn't much of a change from the Murcielago it replaced. How long ago that was. Remember when speaking of animals to speak not of change, speak of evolution. The Aventador may use a familiar shape, but to say it has finally perfected is not much of a stretch. Compare the side angle of the new with old and tell me it's not spectacular.
They finally figured out how to balance the always awkward span between the front and the back wheels. This time showing us that a little give and take in the form of brake ventilation and side scoop is the magic that makes the show. Furthermore the new Aventador's A-line (from nose to roof to tail lights) is finally continuous and parabolic. I've always believed that simplicity in design leads to beauty in the eye. I would argue that despite this car being anything but simple looking, it's major design cues adhere to this principle. The solid a-line arch complimented nicely by the singular, pronounced, and aggressive shoulder line satisfies the criteria for beautiful aptly. Yet my favorite part about the Aventador is its money-maker, the jaws of the beast. If you view the front facia from a slightly offset angle or above you can tell that its face is configured almost like a pitch fork, as if it's trying aggressively to overtake the space in front of it. This to me is pure genius. As for the business end of stuff, you ought to be no less amazed. The Aventador is legendary in every single way. The hexagonal exhaust is a tradition pioneered by the Murcielago, but done one better on the Aventador. It's increased width in proportion to its height literally invokes fear in me. Viewed as a whole I'd have to say it's one of my favorite back-sides of all time. As I said on my facebookpage, I'd be willing to sell my soul and/or any non-driving critical organs in order to spend a day in the ring with this thing. Will some benevolent God grant my wish? Only Ares knows for sure.
Until then, I'll be watching these youtube clips on rerun:
Watch them in HD for a cerebral aneurysm.