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2020 Lamborghini Huracan Spyder getting Performante looks
Fri, Sep 21 2018The Lamborghini Huracan has been around since the 2015 model year, and has been pretty much unchanged with the exception of a slightly restyled rear-drive variant. Lamborghini seems to think it's about time the Huracan was updated, since one of our spy photographers caught a new version in light camouflage out testing. It appears the new model borrows heavily from the Huraca n Performante. Up front, the main grille has pretty much the same set of fins and gills as the ultra-fast Huracan. There does appear to be an extra pair of horizontal slats on either side of the middle trapezoidal shape in the grille. Along the side, things are pretty much the same as on any current Huracan, but the lower intakes now have little winglets in the middle of the air inlets. The rear of the car is the most noticeably changed. It features two large exhaust tips in the middle of the rear fascia a la the Performante. They're also housed in another trapezoidal structure, again like on the top-dog Huracan. The rear diffuser is more aggressive than the current model, but not as much as the Performante. There aren't any openings behind the rear tires, either, and the air outlets on either side of the exhaust area are new. There's also a more pronounced duck tail spoiler than on previous models. We aren't expecting any earth-shattering changes for this updated Huracan. For one thing, the visual changes show that this is mostly the same car underneath. We could see it taking advantage of the stiffer suspension and some the light, molded carbon fiber parts of the Performante to help improve the performance a bit more. The Performante's active aerodynamics will probably stay exclusive to that high-performance model, though. There's also the fact that completely new versions of the Hurac an and Aventador are on the horizon, and may pack some huge changes such as hybrid powertrains. As such, Lamborghini is probably just going to try and stretch this model until it's time for the new one. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2020 Lamborghini Huracan Spyder spy shots Image Credit: SpiedBilde Spy Photos Lamborghini Convertible Performance Supercars
Lamborghini Aventador SVJ First Drive Review | Worth its weight in carbon fiber
Thu, Sep 20 2018Relentless. If we were to define Lamborghini in 2018, this is the word we'd choose. Led by the indefatigable head of research and development, Maurizio Reggiani, the engineering team at Sant'Agata Bolognese are constantly iterating current models — futzing, enhancing, testing. Give them a problem and they'll hammer away at it. The Aventador has been one of those problems. The V12 flagship was released in 2011 and shone far more for its sharp-edged Lambo-tastic design than its sharp handling. If we were looking for a word to describe that first iteration, we'd say ... wanting. Which brings us to the Autodromo do Estoril in Portugal on a sunny day in September. We're here to drive the new Aventador SVJ, first shown this year at Pebble Beach. It is the fourth major non-roadster model, following the SV and the S. Lamborghini promises that the SVJ is the ultimate Aventador. The fixed Aventador. Or mostly, says Reggiani. "I'm not that arrogant to say that everything is perfect. There's always something that could be better." He shrugs, then smiles. "But our goal is to synchronize all the improvements and create something unique, something special." The SVJ's naturally breathing V12 makes 759 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. Top speed is 217 mph, and 62 mph arrives in 2.8 seconds. The price, without taxes or extra bits of carbon fiber or seats in novel shades of purple, starts at $517,770. Reggiani and friends have come to the conclusion that the obvious formula of shedding weight while adding power can only take you so far. (That's what they did with the SV and it's only middling.) Hence the SVJ gets every new trick that the company has engineered as of late, including aero vectoring, rear-wheel-steer and all-wheel-drive. And it's already netted results. The SVJ snatched the production-car 'Ring record from the Porsche 911 GT2 RS with a time of 6:44.97. The track surface at Estoril was resurfaced only weeks ago, and oils from the asphalt are weeping out onto the surface. This has caused great consternation among the Lamborghini camp, as grip is closer to driving on glass than nice stubbly tarmac. On my first set of laps, a pro driver suggests that I leave the car in sport mode, which sends more power to the rear wheels. "Easier to turn in," he suggests, as the front wheels are having trouble gaining traction on the slick surface.
VW Group plan puts Porsche in charge of a 'super-premium' division
Tue, Sep 11 2018An Automobile report looks into what's happening on the organizational and technical sides of the Volkswagen Group, and what those changes could mean for the premium brands. The wide-angle view is that Porsche appears to have been anointed to "coordinate the future activities" at Audi, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini. Audi would cede Lamborghini guardianship to Stuttgart, and Ducati — via a new concern called Ducati Enterprises — would become the shepherd for VW's other Italian investments. Executives target Jan. 1, 2019, to complete the reshuffle. VW wants to save a boodle by tying up four of its five top-tier brands, and putting the one with the highest ROI in charge. Porsche, within its own house, wants to reduce expenditures by $2.3 billion per year over for four years, the savings already earmarked for improving internal processes like R&D and production. Having Porsche share those gains as well as lead development of platforms, components and future-tech strategies for the sister sports car brands could benefit everyone. In the near-term, the brands have their own plans: Bugatti CEO Stephan Winkelmann is said to want a Chiron Superleggera, a roofless and "completely reskinned" Chiron Aperta, and a track-only Chiron SS. The Superleggera could take the Chiron Sport's and Divo's Jenny Craig routines even further. The Aperta seems a natural successor to the Veyron Grand Sport, a natural evolution of the recently introduced Sky View roof, and a reskin might include numerous Divo cues. It's also said Bugatti's considering "an all-electric high-end model" in conjunction with Porsche, Rimac, and Dallara, but name one supercar or hypercar manufacturer that isn't considering a lightning-fast EV. Lamborghini, deep into work on follow-ups for the Huracan and Aventador, might get a bit of a bump with the new plan. The carbon "monofuselage" for the next V12 flagship is said to be too far developed and too complex to scrap. It puts two electric motors on the front axle, batteries in the middle, and a naturally aspirated V12 with around 770 horsepower plus another e-motor with 402 horsepower in back. The Huracan is said to get a version of the same carbon architecture at the moment, but the corporate reorganization might press pause on it. Automobile says options include continuing the Huracan/ Audi R8 twinning, but that depends on Audi saying "Ja" to a third-gen R8 with Lamborghini bones.
1933 Duesenberg tops Mecum Auctions' Monterey results at $3,850,000
Mon, Aug 27 2018Mecum Auctions had three Duesenbergs on offer at the Monterey Car Week's auction event, and the most valuable of the three was the achingly beautiful, one-of-one Bohman and Schwartz-built Model J Disappearing-Top Roadster in white over red, for $3,850,000. Duesenberg reportedly utilized as many as 32 coachbuilders to build custom Model Js, and this one with Hollywood history is unique thanks to its bodywork. In comparison, a 1929 Murphy-bodied Model J Convertible Sedan brought in "just" $1,155,000. The second highest price in Mecum results was achieved by a practically undriven, 307-mile 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari. The Rosso Corsa example slotted in neatly compared to its $3,000,000 to $3,300,000 estimate, finishing at $3,190,000. Another LaFerrari, a yellow one with 419 miles, remained unsold at $3,200,000. Number three is also a Ferrari, an Enzo at that. The 3,150-mile 2003 Enzo, in red over red, finished at $2,860,000. After a string of street cars, the fourth highest Mecum auction price was achieved by the 1989 Daytona 24 Hours, 1989 Palm Beach Grand Prix and 1989 Porsche Cup USA winning Porsche 962. The list of drivers with stints behind the Busby Racing 962's wheel is impressive reading: Derek Bell, John Andretti, Mauro Baldi, Jochen Mass and Brian Redman just to mention a few. Chassis 962-108 had the honor of claiming the 50 th win for a 962 in international competition, at Daytona 24 Hours, and that victory was also Derek Bell's final 24-hour endurance win. As Mecum notes, Bell has called this 962 as his favorite Group C Porsche. It has been in collector hands since 1989, and the selling price reached $2,200,000. The fifth car is a very significant Lamborghini Miura: an unrestored original with its factory coat of red, it is the second Miura P400S model built, and the earliest known S survivor. It has just 28,613 miles on its odometer, and it still wears the Pirelli Cinturatos it was given at the factory. Among all Miuras, this 1969 car is certainly a unicorn, and as a result it sold for $1,155,000. The rest of the top 10 sellers from the Mecum auction follow: 1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Sedan, $1,155,000 2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car, $1,127,500 2017 Ferrari F12tdf Coupe, $1,045,000 1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged Speedster, $1,017,500 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Coupe, $825,000 Related Video: Featured Gallery Mecum Auctions Monterey 2018 View 10 Photos News Source: Mecum AuctionsImage Credit: Mecum Auctions Misc.
Lamborghini Aventador SVJ is a V12-powered carbon fiber flagship
Fri, Aug 24 2018PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Lamborghini officially pulled the covers off a special version of the brand's Aventador flagship this evening, and it wears a cryptic SVJ 63 designation. The name comes from the year 1963, which is when Lamborghini was founded. Only 63 will be built, and with the amount of carbon fiber and extroverted graphics covering them, they'll definitely stand out from the crowd. Power for the Aventador SVJ comes from a V12 engine producing 770 hp at 8,500 rpm and 530 pound-feet of torque at 6,750 rpm. That's enough power to push the Aventador Superveloce Jota from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds and to a top speed of over 217 mph. But its true claim to fame is its performance on the track. The SVJ currently holds the production vehicle lap record at the Nurburgring, lapping the famous circuit in 6:44.97. View 23 Photos Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva 2.0 debuts on the Aventador SVJ. Similar to the system in the Huracan Performante, electronic actuators open or close flaps in the front splitter and on the engine cover. Combined with Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Attiva 2.0, the SVJ's electronic brain can adjust been zero and maximum downforce in less than 500 milliseconds. Air over the car's rear wing can be split left and right, allowing for downforce to be applied only on the wheel that needs it. Total production of the Aventador SVJ — including the even more exclusive 63 — will be limited to 900 units. Deliveries are slated to begin in the first part of 2019 at a starting price of $517,770.00. Related Video: Featured Gallery Lamborghini Aventador SVJ at the Quail View 18 Photos Related Gallery Lamborghini Avendador SVJ: Live Unveiling View 10 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2018 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com Design/Style Lamborghini Technology Coupe Luxury Racing Vehicles Performance Supercars Pebble Beach lamborghini aventador svj
New Lamborghini Aventador SVJ previewed in dealer's Instagram post
Thu, Aug 23 2018The new Lamborghini Aventador SVJ will officially be revealed Thursday evening at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, but the limited-edition supercar has already been shown in an Instagram post. British Lamborghini dealer HR Owen has been posting teaser materials of the SVJ, or Superveloce Jota, on Instagram, and showed the full frontal image of the SVJ today. In the photo, the SVJ's distinctive front vents can be seen, as well as the shape of the new rear wing. For future supercar spotters, the front bumper vents, reminiscent of nostrils, will be a good way to tell the SVJ from lesser Aventadors. There's also a new front splitter and a re-engineered dual-pipe exhaust system with aerodynamic benefits. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. The SVJ has already claimed fame with its record-breaking Nurburgring Nordschleife lap of 6 minutes and 44.97 seconds in the hands of test driver Marco Mapelli. This made the SVJ the fastest production car on the track, and the lap time is 15 seconds faster than a regular Aventador SV. Reports say the SV's 739 horsepower will be bested by 20 in the SVJ, for a total of 759 horsepower; some reports claim an even bigger jump to 780. All in all, the SVJ is likely to be produced in extremely limited numbers. Related Video:
Dusty Lamborghini Countach uncovered after decades
Tue, Aug 14 2018Check the attic carefully, because your grandparents might have an Italian supercar hidden in plain sight. That seems to be the case with this Reddit user — who goes by the name egriegin — when she posted a photo of one very dusty Lamborghini Countach, along with the intriguing headline, "Despite the dust and rust, grandma's 1981 Lamborghini Countach is the coolest." So what's the story? Well, don't get too excited, because the car is not for sale (yet). According to the Reddit poster, this Countach was purchased by her grandfather in 1989 to be used in his exotic car rental company. "But after insurance costs became too high for him to operate the company," she explains, "he kept the car (and many others including the Ferrari 308 in front of the Lambo) outside/in leaky garages for 20+ years instead of selling them. Don't ask me why, I have no clue." Another news outlet reported the car as a "barn find," though the original poster quickly pointed out the car had never been forgotten, just left to sit for a long time. "Let's clear some things up: these aren't my cars and never will be, they're not for sale (yet)," wrote egriegin. "They've been in this garage for less than 15 years and everyone's known they were there, so not really a "barn find."" So if you're in the market for Lamborghini Countach in need of a little TLC — and one very good dusting — it seems your online search will have to continue. Related Video:
Tourist in Dubai nets more than $47,000 in speeding fines in four hours
Wed, Aug 8 2018Before I went to Dubai last fall, I imagined a sea of supercars running rampant with few repercussions. I couldn't have been more wrong (at least when it comes to the repercussions bit). Speed cameras in Dubai are no joke. The drivers, though occasionally erratic, steadfastly follow speed limits. And the penalties for breaking the law in the United Arab Emirates are quite severe. Apparently, a 25-year-old British tourist was expecting more freedom when he racked up more than $47,000 in fines in a rented Lamborghini Huracan in fewer than four hours. The list of fines is impressive in its own way. All the infractions occurred between 2:31 a.m. and 6:26 a.m. on July 31, the day after he rented the car. He was caught driving between 78 and 143 mph on two stretches of road — 32 times on Sheikh Zayed Road and once on Garn Al Sabkha Road. That's nearly twice the legal limit in some areas. Several of the fines were fewer than two minutes apart. Once, he managed to rack up two fines in under a minute. Rather than waiting for a ticket in the mail, the fines were immediately sent to the registered owner, in this case Saeed Ali Rent a Car. The tourist paid just over $1,600 to rent the Lamborghini for two days. He left his passport with the rental agency as a guarantee. The tourist listed his address as a hotel. Because there's a disagreement over who pays the fees, according to The National, he's still in possession of the car, and the rental agency has his passport. The rental company doesn't want to take the car back because it knows it will be stuck with the bill to get it out of impound. The impound fees totaled more than $27,000, more than the cost of the speeding fines themselves. The rental company filed a motion for a travel ban, but it was denied. It has since contacted the British embassy, letting the embassy know that the passport is in their possession in case the tourist claims it's lost. One way or the other, someone is going to have to pay. Related Video:
How to change the oil in a Lamborghini Huracan: carefully
Tue, Aug 7 2018There are eight oil drain plugs on the underside of the Lamborghini Huracan. And to even get to those drain plugs, 3 covers and about 50 bolts have to first be removed. Suffice it to say, then, that changing the oil in a supercar like the Huracan is a tedious process. And you won't be taking the car to your local Jiffy Lube. Royal Exotic Cars Fleet Manager Jesse Tang was recently filmed changing the oil in a Huracan that the company uses as a rental vehicle in Las Vegas. "It's kinda an expensive car for you to mess up, so ... we don't want to mess up," he says. And so Tang takes his time, checks to make sure he drains a full nine quarts of oil before buttoning everything back up and pouring fresh dino juice back inside the engine. While it's not quite as complicated or as expensive as changing the oil in a Bugatti Veyron, a drain and refill in the Lamborghini Huracan doesn't look like a job for the average backyard mechanic. But most cars are a whole heck of a lot easier to service. If you want to learn how to change the oil in your own car, we've got you covered – just watch the video down below. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.
Watch the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ break the Nurburgring lap record
Tue, Jul 31 2018The revolution will be televised. Lamborghini has posted the video of the Aventador SVJ breaking the Nurburgring lap record. With factory-backed race driver Marco Mapelli behind the wheel and a host of Pirelli engineers in support, the kaleidoscope-colored coupe posted a time of 6:44.97. Apparently the only difference between the production-spec SVJ and the record-setter is the tires: The retail SVJ will come with Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber, the lap-flyer got shod with what we expect to be optional P Zero Trofeo R hoops. That's a little more than two seconds faster than the 6:47.3 set by the Porsche 911 GT2 RS — that car having taken the lap record from the Lamborghini Huracan Performante. Since Lamborghini hasn't revealed the Aventador SVJ, and won't until Monterey Car Week in August, we still don't have details on the special-edition car's specs. It is clear, however, that the SVJ is lighter and gets more grunt from its 6.5-liter V12 than the 3,836-pound, 740-horsepower Aventador S. We can look forward to a long list of carbon fiber and whiz-bang materials applications, plus info on the carmaker's tweaked ALA 2.0 active aerodynamics system ported over from the Huracan. For now, though, the unofficial teasers and the official teasers have been proved. We have high-definition video of what the SVJ is capable of on the German track in the right professional hands, and VBOX telemetry information to go with it. Enjoy. Related Video: