This year would mark Ferruccio Lamborghini's 100th birthday and to celebrate its founder's centennial, Lamborghini is producing the Centenario supercar. Introduced at the 2016 International Geneva Motor Show, the car is capable of 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and only 40 will be made.
There will be 20 coupe-style bodies and 20 roadster versions of the Lamborghini Centenario, and all 40 cars have already been purchased by eager customers around the globe ... at a price of 1.75 million Euros (US$1.3M). Not including tax, mind you.
Based around Lambo's big V12 architecture, the Centenario has a 770 horsepower (566 kW) output with a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of just 2.8 seconds and a 0-300 km/h (0-186 mph) of only 23.5 seconds. Top speed is over 350 km/h (217 mph). The Lamborghini Centenario weighs just 1,520 kg, giving it a weight to power ratio of 1.97 kg/hp (3,351 lb, 4.4lbs/hp). The engine is naturally aspirated and limited to 8,600 rpm. This is the most powerful engine Lamborghini's produced to-date.
Lamborghini designed the Centenario with aerodynamics in mind, using technology and airflow to enhance the power of the big midships V12. New for the company is rear-wheel steering under that carbon monocoque body construction. A rear aero wing extends at speeds to increase downforce for performance driving. The Centenario is a limited production technology demonstrator for the company.
The modern Lamborghini look is encompassed in the overall appearance of the Centenario, so there's no mistaking this fighting bull for what it is. New elements, however, are noted by those paying close attention. The car's total length is 4.924 m (16.2 feet) and it sits 1.143 m (3.75 feet) high.
Intakes and outlets are more subtly framed for improved aerodynamics, including intake fins; and the long, low overhangs accent the car's performance nature. Airflow is incorporated throughout the body's design, in fact, with the Lamborghini Centenario having openings in the wheel arches, headlight bezels, and sideskirts. As is traditional with V12-powered Lambos, the Centenario has scissor door panels.
The forged and milled aluminum wheels on the new Lamborghini are clad in Pirelli PZero tires specifically engineered for the car and its rear-wheel steering. With 20-inch wheels at front and 21-inch wheels at rear, there is a distinctively big and low appearance to the car's corners. The spokes on the wheels mask ducts which pull heat from the carbon ceramic brakes.
Permanent four-wheel drive underpins the chassis design. The four-wheel steering is tuned to change directions according to speed. At lower speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the steer tires, virtually reducing the car's wheelbase. At high speeds, the rear wheels turn with the front tires, virtually increasing wheelbase. This adds stability on all counts and improves turning radius and agility. Magneto rheological suspension and dynamic steering finish the chassis.
The Lamborghini Centenario's interior is bespoke to the customer's specification, starting with sport seats made of carbon fiber clad in leather whose stitching is mirrored on the dashboard, steering wheel, sun visors, and more. Featured in the Centenario is a high-definition 10.1-inch touchscreen with Lamborghini's connectivity suite with Apple CarPlay and Internet connectivity. Road and track telemetry are included as well, allowing the owner to track and record performance. Bespoke helmets are included in the Centenario's cargo compartment to encourage track readiness.
The Lamborghini Centenario is on display at the 2016 Geneva International Auto Show.
Source: Lamborghini
A man who rebuilds his own machine will always hold more respect from this writer than anyone who drives this sort of cartoon.