Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50° (2013)

By motoring writer – Daniel Matthews

Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50° Anniversario Roadster 2013

Lamborghini unveiled the Aventador at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, as the successor to the Murciélago. In keeping with Lamborghini tradition, its name comes from a bull that fought valiantly in the Zaragoza, Spain bullring in 1993, and its design definitely reflects this – the Aventador brings aggression and strength, but the level of class and sophistication expected by a Lamborghini. Design cues include two large sweeping strokes across the sides of the car, and large air intakes just in front of the rear wheels, as well as the trademark Lamborghini scissor doors. Although engine displacement was the same as previous, the V12 engine was entirely new and is 20 percent more efficient than its predecessor – mated to a single-clutch 7-speed automated manual gearbox (no dual clutch to save weight).

The Aventador LP720-4 50° Anniversario was unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show, with the Roadster following at The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering that same year. It was built to commemorate fifty years of the Lamborghini marque and made some very tasteful additions to the Aventador. These included: increased engine power to 720 PS (hence ‘720-4’ in the name, 710 bhp); enlarged and extended front air intakes; unique front splitter; unique side flaps and rear, with enlarged diffuser; and new meshwork to improve engine compartment ventilation. This particular car is chassis 2362, number 18 of 100 Roadsters produced – an additional 100 coupés were made as well – and is finished in the model-unique colour of Giallo Maggio, a sparkling yellow with a layer of transparent and highly-reflective particles. The sills were finished in matte black, and the interior in Nero Ade with Terra Emilia (optional Giallo Quercus) Q-Citura diamond stitching – it also had a carbon fibre 50° Anniversario badge! The base price when launched was around $548,000, which was $106,300 more than a base Aventador Roadster. Still, a great value way to get into limited production supercars, and surely an investment for the future.