The Lamborghini Centenario, which just debuted at the 2016 Geneva motor show, isn’t just another super-fast wedge-shaped collector’s item (although it is all of those things). It is, as its name suggests, a tribute to company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini; he would have turned 100 this April. It’s an exclusive birthday present, too: Just 20 coupes and 20 roadsters will be built at a cost of roughly $1.9 million per. All are, according to Lamborghini, accounted for.
We know, we know — another hyper-limited hypercar that was already sold out before you even heard about it. Why should you care?
Well, for one, it’s statistically unlikely that you were ever going to buy one anyway. So enjoy the pictures! For another, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Centenario gives us a good idea of what to expect in Lamborghini’s next V12 range-topper. If that’s the case, things are going to get lighter, faster and nimbler — but they’ll remain naturally aspirated. For now.
The Centenario’s rear wing retracts at low speeds. Note the giant rear diffuser.
At 4.924 meters long, the Centenario is slightly longer than the Aventador (with which we suspect it shares a good chunk of its carbon fiber monocoque). Yet it’s a bit lighter at 3,351 pounds, a feat accomplished by building the entire car out of carbon fiber ducts and diffusers. To keep the car’s profile simple, the big rear wing on the back retracts when not in use.
To increase agility, the Centenario is equipped with a rear-wheel steering system — a Lamborghini first — and permanent all-wheel drive. The center-lock wheels are unique to the car; 20 inches up front and 21 inches in the rear, they’re wrapped in Pirelli PZero tires.
In this era of turbo-hybridization, we love that the car remains defiantly naturally aspirated. Its (presumably) 6.5-liter V12 produces 770 hp; redline is kicked up from the Aventador’s 8,350 rpm to 8,600 rpm. 0-60 takes 2.8 seconds (slightly slower than the Aventador SV). Top speed is 217 mph, we’re not quite talking about Bugatti Chiron velocities, but it’ll do nicely for your commute.
Since this is a V12-powered Lamborghini, it gets the scissor doors. And since this is 2016, it also gets Apple CarPlay. Whichever one of these two things gets you more excited probably says something about your personality. Choose carefully.
An interior worthy of Ferruccio.
Graham Kozak – Graham Kozak drove a 1951 Packard 200 sedan in high school because he wanted something that would be easy to find in a parking lot. He thinks all the things they’re doing with fuel injection and seatbelts these days are pretty nifty too.
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