Price: N/A Engine: 6,5-litre, 12-cyl, petrol Transmission: 7-speed automatic Power: 574 kW @ 8 500 r/min Torque: 720 N.m @ 6 750 r/min 0-100 km/h: 2,8 seconds Top speed: 355 km/h Rivals: Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, Bentley Continental GT Speed, McLaren 720S, Ferrari 296 GTB
More than an hour of M negotiating the busy urban roads of Italy's industrial heartland left me with a nagging fear our drive in what will be the last Aventador Lamborghini builds would be fruitless. Rain was sheeting down and as I peered at the sky, it didn't look like it was about to change anytime soon. Photographer Wolfango, ahead in a Urus, its retina-straining hue usefully visible in the conditions, had promised he knew a road. The Aventador Ultimae I followed in looked like a paragon of restraint in comparison. Finished in matte Grigio Acheso and Grigio Teca with Rosso Mimir accents, it was not only relatively stealthy, but underlined the fact that even something as mundane as two-tone grey with red sounds incredible in Italian.
That is the launch scheme for this, the Ultimae coupé, or, correctly, the Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Coupé. It is one of 350 Lamborghini will build, along with 250 Roadsters. These will be the last hurrah for Lamborghini's V12 flagship model before it finally bows out. It has been a long time coming, but when Lamborghini launched the Aventador back in 2011, it claimed it had jumped a couple of generations, so the extended production run is forgivable. Its specification remains hugely compelling, too; the stiff carbon-fibre monocoque forms the foundation from which aluminium frames are hung, with fully independent suspension and a big, naturally aspirated 6,5-litre V12 situated longitudinale posteriore - longitudinally, at the rear. That's the "LP" of the name; the "780" relates to the horsepower and the "4" denotes four-wheel drive.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Toyota Fortuner
Considered by many as the quintessential adventure SUV, the Fortuner is about as strong a used buying proposition as you can get in this segment. We take you through the things to look out for and list two rivals for comparison.
MIND THE HURDLE
With a repaired car and a point to prove, Alex Shahini returned for Round 3 of the Toyota GR Cup at Zwartkops Raceway to achieve a career-best finish
KING OF KILLARNEY
For four decades, Denis Joubert was directly involved with the creation, development and ongoing success of Cape Town's international motorsport venue, Killarney. Having just celebrated his 90th birthday, we talk to the man whose contribution to South Africa's motor-racing heritage is priceless....
Selecting the 4WD SYSTEM for your needs
As 4WD SUVS and double cabs grow in popularity, more first-time buyers face the challenge of selecting a vehicle with a drivetrain that best meets their requirements. We explain the key differences between the all-wheel drivetrains available
Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT
Kia's ever-popular budget hatch has recently received a range of exterior and interior updates - we test the entry-level variant to see if it remains a force to be reckoned with in this highly competitive segment
Super C
The fastest and most technologically advanced flagship C-Class to date, AMG's C63 S has evolved into an electrified uber-sedan. Has this mighty model forsaken some character in pursuing this status? We strapped our test equipment to the new shooting star.
Bentley's Brutes
A break in proceedings during an exclusive preview of the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT afforded us an opportunity to sample the stately yet hair-raising Bentayga S
RUNNING UP THAT HILL
Now in its 14th year, the Simola Hillclimb continues to combine adrenaline-fuelled competition with showcasing some of the most appealing classics out there in a heady mix that keeps local petrolheads coming...
BAND OF BROTHERS
Complete with rugged bakkie-based underpinnings that encourage off-the-beaten-track venturing, largely proven powertrains that afford maximum range and towing capability, and brand names with enviable respective reputations for reliability, adventure SUVs remain the favourite of thousands of South Africans.
TWELVE OF THE BEST
Ferrari keeps things suitably old-school with its V12-engined 12Cilindri GT
