The Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 features:
- a new 12 cylinder 6.5 litre engine offering 515 kW / 700 hp;
- a dry weight of only 1575 kg (3472 lb), giving the vehicle a weight-to-power ratio of 2.25 kg/hp (4.96 lb/hp);
- a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph); and
- fuel consumption and CO2 emissions down by around 20% compared with its predecessor, despite an 8% increase in power.
The Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 has an overall length of 4.78 m (188.19 in.) and a width of 2.26 m (88.98 in.), including the exterior mirrors, and is just 1.136 mm (44.72 in.) high. Both doors of the carbon fibre monocoque open upward – a feature that was first introduced in the Countach and then used for subsequent V12 models such as Diablo and Murciélago.
Carbon fibre monocoque
The new Lamborghini flagship has a full monocoque – the entire occupant cell, with tub and roof, is a single component. This ensures extreme rigidity and outstanding driving precision, as well as an extremely high level of passive safety for the driver and passenger.
The entire monocoque weighs only 147.5 kg (325.18 lb).
The monocoque is connected at the front and rear with rigid aluminium sub-frames, on which the suspension, engine and transmission are mounted. The carbon composite monocoque, together with the front and rear aluminium frames, features an impressive combination of extreme torsional stiffness of 35 000 Newton metres per degree and weighs only 229.5 kg (505.9 lb).
The monocoque was conceived and produced entirely by Automobili Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy.
Production
Depending on the requirements of the individual elements of the car, Lamborghini selected from three main carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) manufacturing methods.
Lamborghini has patented its resin transfer moulding process – 'RTM Lambo' – in which the mould is no longer a heavy, complex metal piece, but is made instead from lightweight carbon fibre parts, thus making the manufacturing process faster, more flexible and more efficient. An additional benefit of the RTM Lambo process is the low injection pressure that doesn’t require expensive equipment.
Carbon fibre prepreg components are complex to make, but have an extremely high-quality surface finish (Class-A surface quality) and are therefore the preferred for use in visible locations.
Carbon fibre braiding technology is used to make tubular components for applications such as structural roof pillars and rocker panels. The woven components are made by diagonally interweaving the fibre in several layers. The components are manufactured using the RTM technology.
One advancement Lamborghini says it realised is the ability to use already-assembled monocoque elements as the mould for the next step in the process. This makes for a considerable simplification of the manufacturing process compared with conventional methods.
Epoxy foam components are also used within the monocoque. They are placed in strategic points to increase the stiffness of the monocoque by working as spacers between the composite layers while also dampening noise and vibration. In addition, aluminium inserts are laminated into the front and rear surfaces to facilitate connection with the aluminium front and rear sub-frame elements.
Because of the complexity of all these materials and processes, Lamborghini decided to produce its new monocoque completely in-house.
Quality control is a crucial factor – every monocoque is measured to tolerances of only 0.1 mm, facilitating the extreme precision of the overall vehicle. Quality control starts with the purchase of the carbon fibre parts. Every delivery of carbon fibre is certified and the material is checked regularly for compliance with quality standards.
Lamborghini worked together with its suppliers to develop an exclusive fibre and resin system for its RTM technology.
And the price?
The suggested retail price of the Lamborghini Aventador in Europe is €255 000 (excluding taxes) and in the USA it is US$379 700 (GGT included).
The first customers will take delivery of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 in late summer 2011.
