After a wickedly fast convertible? Allow us to introduce you to the new Lamborghini Aventador Roadster. The drop-top version has just been revealed, and boy does it look stunning.
Apart from the obvious removable roof, the Aventador Roadster required a few bespoke features to help it remain extremely quick, just like its coupe brother.
First of all, there’s the roof itself. It’s a stiff carbon fibre panel that is removable by hand, as opposed to the fabric item on the Murcielago predecessor. Lamborghini engineers used their own Forged Composite technology for the roof (weighing under 6kg), providing a very stiff and rigid setup that’s actually stronger than titanium.
Just behind the roof sit two new pillars which were formed to both maintain structural rigidity and handling, as well as provide a strong frame to protect the occupants in the event of a roll over.
In between those pillars is an electric rear windscreen. It can be lowered down to heighten the aural experience, allowing passengers to hear that V12 engine right behind their ears. There’s also a wind deflector at the top edge of the front windscreen to minimise wind noise while driving with the roof off.
In the back sits the same 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine as seen in the latest coupe. It comes with cylinder-deactivation and stop-start technologies to help keep emissions and fuel consumption down, but at the same time it produces a mighty 515kW of power.
All that power can slingshot the Aventador Roadster from 0-100km/h in just 3.0 seconds, and on to a roof-on top speed of 350km/h. Part of this speed is thanks to the seven-speed independent shifting rod sequential automatic transmission, and an all-wheel drive system.
To top it all off the Aventador Roadster rides on a set of offset forged aluminium wheels that measure 20 inches on the front and 21 inches on the rear. These save up to 10kg compared with the standard Aventador items.
The new model will go on sale in international markets in mid-2013. An Australian introduction is likely to follow a short time after.
