Dr.TECH

With things like fuel economy and emissions taking the front seat in a buyer’s mind, most auto manufacturers are looking for ways to increase mpg. Lamborghini has been one of the stragglers in this revolution, but now it appears as if the supercar builder is ready to concede to the fact that fuel economy and emissions matter, even in supercars, with the announcement that it’ll include stop-start technology and cylinder deactivation in the 2013 Aventador LP 700-4.

For 2013, the Aventador will receive some mild updates, but Lambo is being very careful not to completely overhaul its popular flagship supercar. With the 2013 model year approaching fast, Lamborghini has chosen to release just a little bit of information regarding the 2013 Aventador. The vast majority of the information now is on the new fuel- and emission-reduction changes, but there are a few other changes of note.

We’ll continue to monitor the production of the 2013 Aventador and update this review as information hits the wire.

Exterior and Interior

The short press release that Lamborghini released regarding the 2013 Aventador leads us to the believe that the basic body style will be a carryover from 2012. That’s not a bad thing, however, as the Aventador definitely suits its fan base well, boasting the traditional triangle and trapezoid styling that Lamborghini enthusiasts have come to know and love.

Also carried over is the ultra-modern carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque. This provides the Aventador with a safe capsule for the driver, as well as added rigidity to help increase its handling.

The only change that Lamborghini has let us in on is the addition of several carbon-fiber exterior options that were not previously available. These components include: front spoiler, air intakes, engine cover panel and powertrain cladding. These optional carbon-fiber panels will simply add a little something extra to the already potent Aventador exterior.

On the inside you also get a carryover with the addition of some extra carbon-fiber add on pieces. Lamborghini did not get into the specifics of what pieces you can add on, but we assume them to be the dashboard insert, door inserts, center stack and other various bezel and surroundings.

TYRES AND WHEELS

ESP:
ESP/ ABS with different ESP characteristics managed by drive select mode
Steering:
Steering Gear with 3 different servortonic characteristics managed by drive select mode

Front tires:
Pirelli 255/35 ZR19
Rear tires:
Pirelli 335/30 ZR20
Front wheels:
19’’ x 9J
Rear wheels:
20’’ x 12J
Curb-to-curb turning circle:
12.5 m (41.0 ft

Engine and Drivetrain

ENGINE
Type:
V12, 60°, MPI
Displacement:
6,498 cm³ (396.5 cu.in.)

Bore and stroke:
Ø 95 mm x 76,4 mm
Valve gear:
Variable valve timing electronically controlled
Compression ratio:
11.8 (± 0.2) : 1
Maximum power:
700 HP (515 kW) @ 8,250 RPM
Maximum torque:
690 Nm (507 lbft) @ 5,500 RPM
Emission class:
EURO 5 – LEV 2
Emission control system:
Catalytic converters with lambdasensors
Cooling system:
Water and oil cooling system in the rear with variable air inlets
Engine management system:
Lamborghini Iniezione Eletronica (LIE) with Ion current analysis
Lubrification system:
Dry sump

Carried over from 2012 is the mighty 6.5-liter V-12 engine that pumps out an astonishing 700 horsepower and 509 pound-feet of torque. We also anticipate that the 7-speed automated manual transmission and all-wheel-drive system will both make the cut in 2013. We’ll get confirmation on those items when the information is released.

Lamborghini went into great lengths about the newest additions to the Aventador’s drivetrain for the 2013 model year: the Cylinder Deactivation System (CDS) and the start-stop technology. The stop-start system will shut the engine off when the car is stationary at a stop light and it will use supercaps – high-performance capacitors – to restart the engine just as soon as you press the gas pedal. Well, maybe not as soon as, but 180 milliseconds after touching the gas. Yeah, that’s faster than any human can ever notice. To boot, this system will also save the Aventador about 3 kg (6.6 lbs), as the supercar will now use only a small battery to power the vehicle electronics, since it is no longer needed to start the car.

Additionally, the CDS will shut down one bank of the V-12 engine under low loads at speeds less than 135 km/h (83.9 mph). This will leave the Aventador cruising around as an in-line 6-cylinder until you need the extra power. No need to worry is a 12berlinetta comes up on your tail, as a quick tap of the throttle and all 12 cylinders start pumping again like nothing happened.

All of this will decrease the 2013 Aventador’s combined fuel consumption to 16 l/100 km (14.7 mpg) and its CO2 emissions from 398 g/km to 370 g/km. Total emissions and fuel consumption at 130 km/h (80.77 mph) is estimated to drop by about 20 percent.

Engine and Drivetrain Specs:

Engine Type 6.5-Liter V-12 DOHC
Engine Output 700 Horsepower At 8,250 Rpm And 509 Pound-Feet Of Torque At 5,500 Rpm
Transmission 7-Speed Automated Manual (Unofficial)
Fuel Economy 16 L/100km (14.7 Mpg) Combined
Emissions 370 G/Km

Chassis and Handling

Frame:
Carbon fiber monocoque with Aluminium front and rear frames
Body:
Carbon fiber engine bonnet; movable spoiler and side air inlets; Aluminium front bonnet, front fenders and doors; SMC rear fender and rocker cover
Mirrors:
External mirror electrically foldable
Rear spoiler:
Movable -3 positions depending on speed and drive select mode

The Aventador has received rave reviews on its handling capabilities and it looks as if Lambo is ready to build onto its already stout handling for the 2013 model year. Lamborghini is adding in stiffer springs and optimized dampers to both improve handling and soften the ride that every critic has complained about.

Also added in are all-new forged alloy wheels in the Dione design.

We’ll update you with all of the official info on the suspension, brakes and chassis once we receive word from Lambo.

DRIVETRAIN

Type of transmission:
4WD with Haldex generation IV
Gearbox:
7 speed ISR, shifting characteristic depending on drive select mode
Clutch:
Dry Double plate clutch, Ø 235 mm
Standard:
AMT

Pricing and Release Date

Lamborghini did not offer up any pricing or release date information. We assume that we should see a slight bump in price to compensate for the extra technology in the start-stop system and the CDS. You can anticipate a price in the $390,000 to $395,000 range.

SUSPENSION

Front and rear horizontal monotube damper with push-rod system

Competition

Well, there is only one legit competitor to the Aventador and that is the F12berlinetta from Ferrari. Sure, there may be others that you can technically pit against it, but nothing better than a good old Ferrari vs. Lamborghini match.

We’ve already compared the 2012 Lamborghini Aventador to the F12berlinetta and the results are pretty clear. The F12berlinetta is, in our opinion, a sexier car. The Aventador is stylish, but an extreme stylish and there is little that is sexy about it. The Aventador, however, stomps the F12berlinetta in just about every power section, except overall horsepower where the F12berlinetta has a 29-horsepower advantage. Fortunately for Lamborghini, the Aventador’s AWD system compensates for the horsepower by using the 700 ponies that its engine produces more effectively.

Our opinion still remains that if you are looking for refinement, go to the F12berlinetta. If you prefer that edgy look and a little more face-morphing performance, head to Lamborghini. For our cash, we prefer the entire package that Ferrari offers us.

AIRBAGS

Front dual stage driver airbag and front adaptive passenger airbag; seats with side “head-thorax” airbags; passenger and driver knee airbags

BRAKES

Dual hydraulic circuit brake system with vacuum brake booster; front and rear CCB, 6-cylinder brake callipers, 4-cylinder brake callipers Ø 400x 38 mm – Ø 380 x 38 mm

Conclusion

For now these are the only details that we have, but the upgrades seem very subtle over last year’s model. So there is no need to run to trade in your 2012 model for this 2013. However, if you are looking to get into an Aventador for the first time, now is the model year to get into it.

News for the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4: More efficiency with cylinder deactivation and innovative start/stop system The Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 is extending its leading position among super sports cars with groundbreaking technologies – an innovative and extremely fast start/stop system with supercaps for energy storage and cylinder deactivation under partial load bring significant savings in fuel consumption. Plus, the 2013 Aventador comes with a host of new individualization options.

Automobili Lamborghini is using a highly advanced and utterly unique technology for its new start/stop system in the Aventador. The energy for re-start following a stop phase (e.g. at a traffic light) is delivered by high-performance capacitors known as supercaps. They enable extremely fast start-up – full V12 power is available again in a barely detectable 180 milliseconds, significantly faster than with conventional systems. And, in keeping with Lamborghini’s lightweight design philosophy, this new technology also delivers a weight saving of three kilograms. The classic vehicle battery supplies only the electronic systems, occupies very little space and lasts virtually the entire vehicle life.

The second new efficiency technology is the Cylinder Deactivation System (CDS). Under low load and at speeds of less than 135 km/h, the CDS deactivates one cylinder bank, allowing the power unit to run as an inline six. But with just the slightest movement of the gas pedal, the extreme performance of the V12 engine with its 515 kW/700 hp is back online. The CDS and the start/stop system work incredibly quickly, are virtually imperceptible to the driver and have absolutely no negative impact on the amazing driving experience. Yet, they deliver a noticeable benefit in efficiency – the average fuel consumption of the Aventador LP 700-4 drops by seven percent to 16 liters/100km. At highway speeds of around 130 km/h the reduction in consumption and emissions is as much as 20 percent. In total the CO2 emissions of the Aventador have been reduced from 398 g/km to 370 g/km.

The Aventador’s chassis setup has also been further refined. The razor-sharp handling is now even more precise, while ride comfort has been noticeably improved with stiffer springs and optimized dampers. New forged alloy wheels in the Dione design are now also available.

Carbon fiber is a lightweight material that features extensively in the Aventador. A substantial proportion of the super sports car’s technological superiority is thanks to its CFRP monocoque. This material now takes on an even higher profile with a package of optional CFRP components – front spoiler, air intakes, engine cover panel, powertrain cladding and interior applications in CFRP set accents in the Aventador’s unique design.

FUEL CONSUMPTION

Urban cycle consumption:
24.7 l/100 km
Extra urban consumption:
10.7 l/100 km
Combined consumption:
16.0 l/100 km
CO2 emission:
370 g/km