2022 Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae revealed: 574kW swan-song farewells non-hybrid V12 engine
By: Alex Misoyannis
JOURNALIST
The 2022 Lamborghini Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae has been unveiled, as the swansong model for the Italian brand’s naturally-aspirated V12 supercar.
After a decade in production, Lamborghini is farewelling the naturally-aspirated V12 Aventador with one final 600-unit special edition offered in coupe and Roadster guises, known as the Ultimae – which roughly translates to ‘final’ in Latin (rather than a mis-spelling of the English word ‘ultimate’).
Power comes from the latest iteration of the Aventador’s 6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine, developing 574kW and 720Nm – up 7kW over the limited-run SVJ range-topper, and 29kW more than the ‘regular’ Aventador S, but 28kW down versus the hybridised Sian model.
It’s understood to be the final application of the naturally-aspirated V12 in its current form, with future twelve-cylinder Lamborghinis to add some form of hybrid assistance.
The car maker quotes a 2.8-second 0-100km/h sprint time, an 8.7-second 0-200km/h run and a top speed of 355km/h – all driven through a seven-speed single-clutch ‘automated manual’ transmission.
Launch control and rear-wheel steering are standard, while the all-wheel drive system has been retuned to send more torque to the rear than before.
The uprated engine is matched by a more liberal deployment of carbon-fibre, cutting the weight of the coupe variant by 25kg to 1550kg. Braking from 100km/h to a standstill takes place across a 30-metre span.
The Aventador Ultimae picks up an array of styling upgrades over its lesser siblings to improve aerodynamics, including a new front bumper claimed to offer similar aerodynamic performance to the halo SVJ.
The front bumper’s air ducts and cooling inlets are said to reduce aerodynamic interference around the front tyres, while a lightweight rear bumper is also fitted. A three-position active rear spoiler varies its angle depending on speed and the drive mode selected.
Strada (street), Sport, Corsa (race) and Ego (individual) modes are on offer. Large 20-inch front and 21-inch rear alloy wheels fill the arches, wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa performance tyres.
Inside, a digital instrument cluster and TFT infotainment touchscreen are presented to the occupants – the latter featuring Apple CarPlay – while a numbered build plaque is fixed near the driver’s A-pillar.
The 2022 Lamborghini Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae will make its public debut at this week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Just 600 examples will be built, comprising 350 coupes and 250 Roadsters.
The launch colour combination for the coupe sees it don a two-tone light/dark grey colour scheme, with ‘Rosso Mimir’ matte red accents. Meanwhile, the launch-specification Roadster is finished in blue, accented by carbon-fibre roof panels.
Over 300 colours are available to choose from through Lamborghini’s Ad Personam personalisation program, plus an array of wheel designs, interior trims and carbon-fibre accents.
Australian pricing and launch timing have yet to be revealed, though expect a starting price north of $1 million to justify the Ultimae’s limited-edition status.
ENGINE
- ENGINEV12, 60°, MPI (Multi Point Injection)
- DISPLACEMENT6,498 cm3 (396.5 cu in)
- BORE AND STROKE95 mm x 76.4 mm (3.74 x 3.01 in)
- COMPRESSION RATIO11.8:0.2
- MAX. POWER780 CV (574 kW) at 8.500 rpm
- MAX. TORQUE720 Nm (531 lb.-ft.) @ 6,750 rpm
- EMISSION CLASSEURO 6 – LEV 3
- EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMCatalytic converters with lambda sensors
- COOLING SYSTEMWater and oil cross flow cooling system with variable air inlets
- ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMLamborghini Iniezione Elettronica (LIE) with Ion current analysis
- LUBRICATION SYSTEMDry sump
- Starting price of $498,258 for the coupe and $546,847 for the roadster