Lamborghini Aventador, Gallardo Spyder and Gallardo Superleggera 2012 Обзор

When it comes to Lamborghini cars, one of the most exotic brands in the world, the whole deal sounds a lot nicer. And this. But what if I told you that we never go over the 130 km/h advertised limit, that a meter of snow has wreaked havoc on the roads in a string of tiny hilltop towns, and that the highlight of the day is a confrontation with

Police on documents on cars and drivers? Well, lunch, of course. But that's all ahead as we drive into Sant'Agata, Lamborghini's home since it was founded by a humble tractor manufacturer in the 1960s, to spend a day behind the wheel of the Italian marque's latest hero cars. It's a dream come true, a big tick on the wish list, and a chance to find out why some people actually choose a Lamborghini over a Ferrari - or a perfectly reasonable new apartment.

The Lamborghini brand has always been a little more exotic and mysterious than the mainstream Ferrari, which is on its way to success and remains the benchmark for any buyer or brand looking to fulfill the supersport dream. These days, he benefits enormously from a seat in the Volkswagen Group thanks to his ownership of Audi. It means German efficiency with Italian passion, and it's much better than doing the opposite.

Carsguide is in Italy with Lamborghini for the first - yes, the very first - official press visit in a generation, covering everything from technical briefings and a tour of the production line to a quick look into the carbon fiber research lab and a long look at the museum. It turns out an exotic brand with a sense of style and humor, but a very sharp approach to their cars and customers.

Gallardo changed Lamborghini forever, giving the company the credibility and credibility that put the brand on shopping lists around the world. Now there's a new flagship, the $754,600 Aventador with a V12 engine and a top speed of 350 km/h.

But when it flashes for ice warning and the day quickly turns into a slow-speed drive through beautiful snow-covered countryside, even the Aventador loses its luster. And literally, too, with such slush around.

But then a tunnel follows, and with a volley of quick downshifts, the Aventador and Gallardo Superleggera howl like banshees, and all is right in the world. I smile, the cars are happy and it's a great day.

ADVENTURER:

Ferruccio Lamborghini chose the V12 engine when he took on Enzo Ferrari in 1963, and his company continued on that path for nearly 50 years.

The latest V12-powered flagship is the Aventador, one of the most exotic-looking cars on the road in 2012 that suits just about every teenage dreamer and 50-something mogul. It really is something special.

The Aventador is a two-seater super sports car with a 6.5-liter 520 kW engine powered by a high-tech all-wheel drive system. Did someone mention Audi, which owns Lamborghini?

The first Aventadors have just arrived in Australia and there is already a two-year waiting list, although the grand total starts at $754,600 without worrying about travel expenses, insurance or a few personal color or finish changes.

Price? It's not something you can appreciate without having access to James Packer's vault.

But there is a lot of technology, starting with the world's first all-carbon fiber monocoque. This is the center of the car where people sit and is the base for the suspension and the rest of the mechanical assembly that hangs down from both ends.

The Aventador is equipped with a seven-speed computer-controlled robotic transmission capable of shifting at F1 speeds, but it is also programmed to shift into high gears quickly for maximum fuel economy (19.1 l/100 km) and minimizing emissions.

No one from ANCAP is going to crash test the Aventador, but the car has a super-rigid structure, airbags and conventional ESP and ABS systems to keep two occupants safe. And someone who drives a car at a speed of 110 km / h is so far from the danger zone that the real threat is boredom and microsleep.

You fire up the Aventador by pulling up a little red flap—like the ones that cover rocket triggers—after driving deep into the car through the signature scissor door. The sound is V12 magic music, albeit surprisingly subdued.

Pull the stalk and it's time to move, with computerized power making clutching and shifting easier, plus any of the latest dual-clutch packages. The Lamborghini feels very wide, the ride is super-tough, and there are frightening thoughts about what might happen if I put my foot on the floor.

But today there is no chance, since the Audi Q7 works as a pace car and provides a quiet pace on slippery and icy roads. A couple of times I mustered up the courage and revs up to 8000, enjoying the traction usually reserved for Formula XNUMX drivers.

One day, when the speedometer is hovering around 120 km / h, I give the Aventador a head and the traction control indicator flashes furiously, the steering wheel twitches and twitches, and I understand that the big beast is unhappy.

To me? Maybe. It's great to get time in the Aventador, but now I can't wait for the next time, and hopefully some Australian sunshine and a wide open race track with no speed limits and no Q7.

GALLARDO SPIDER:

It's easy to keep warm in the convertible Gallardo, even when the temperature outside is just above freezing.

The cabin is set deep in the middle of the car, there are heated seats, and the shape of the wedge-shaped body ensures smooth wind flow around the head.

Of course, there's also the warm glow you get from driving such a rare beast.

The Gallardo Spyder is Lamborghini's efficient, V10-powered transformation that pays the bills and drives Audi's profits into the 21st century. The Gallardo has been teased and tweaked in many ways, and the Spyder is one that works for a lot of people.

The roof is electric, as you'd expect, but still a canvas job in the days of hardtop clamshells. It works but doesn't look as pretty as some cars that cost a lot less than $515,000.

The mechanical package consists of a 5.2-liter V10 engine with 343 kilowatts and acceleration to 0 km / h in just 100 seconds thanks to all-wheel drive. There's an e.gear six-speed gearbox and all-wheel drive, and an interior in typical Lamborghini leather, but with switchgear and displays more obviously borrowed from Audi than the Aventador lineup.

The Spyder can easily race the bulls, especially in the land of speed limits and the Police, and does so with a bit more panache and excitement than a regular Gallardo.

I can feel a little slackness in the chassis, albeit a minor one, but the Spyder is still a car that surprises and delights. It's just not for me.

GALLARDO SUPERLEGGERA:

Now we are talking. This car is lightweight - in the best possible way.

The Lamborghini team has created a new pacemaker in the Gallardo range with lightweight carbon fiber pads to cut the bottom line by 70 kilograms while maintaining 419 kilowatts of power and all-wheel drive.

That means a 0-second 100 km/h time, a top speed of 3.4 km/h, and a hefty price tag of $325 in Australia. This means it costs more than a Ferrari 542,500 Italia.

But Lamborghini says the Superleggera is a car for people who love cars and driving, and highlights the kermit-colored exterior on the Sant'Agata test car. It also has sport bucket seats, a suede-wrapped steering wheel and carbon fiber, everything from the door trims to the rear fender that creates real downforce.

The Superleggera is the evil member of our little Lamborghini train, always teasing the driver with the promise of instant feedback, a howling soundtrack and the ability to compress time and space.

But it feels snappy and jumpy, which is perfect for the race track but less reassuring on a cold day with changeable conditions including water, slush, some snow and ice.

When you buckle up this Gallardo, you need to be alert and ready for action.

That's what makes it so enjoyable, even if it's just to run away from a traffic light or soften up a couple of right angle turns.

The Superleggera is the car that Lamborghini pits against Ferrari as well as the McLaren MP4-12C, and it's a powerful statement. It's not for everyone, but for people who want it, it fits the bill.