Extreme Makeover

As Lamborghini prepares to join the world of electrification, is the 759bhp Aventador SVJ Sant’Agata’s best ever attempt at purely petrol powered perfection? We take Bren Garage’s SVJ, the first and only one in India to find out.

- Adam Towler

PULLOVERS. HOODIES. SWEATERS. Whatever you want to call them, the appeal of the most powerful, most advanced and most spectacular purely petrol-powered Lamborghini ever made, and ever likely to be made given we’re almost certain the Aventador’s replacement will be a hybrid, hinges on bringing along some additional outerwear. Not because the big old brute’s heating and ventilation system conforms to any stereotype of Italian supercar electrical inadequacy. No, it’s because of those seats — those infamous bucket seats, the long-standing nemesis of the evo road tester.

Roll up said garment and place it at the back of the cushion. Now free fall, gracelessly, contorting and awkward, down into the seat. Next, wriggle one’s backside forward so it’s resting halfway up the squab. Markedly supine, but it works, because the big Lambo’s wheel can be pulled right out, and splayed knees aren’t an issue with the pedal location. Headroom is also increased, but most of all the backrest now clamps usefully across the shoulders, and doesn’t try to ram you forward in abject agony. The pullover becomes an oversized lumbar support and driver endurance can now be measured in hours, not minutes.