Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster

Published: Nov 12, 2012Modified: Feb 16, 2013

Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster

The new benchmark in open top super sports cars

Unparalleled athleticism and the ultimate open-air experience
Roadster with breathtaking performance: 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds, 350 km/h top speed
Extreme lightweight design – unique carbon-fiber monocoque and hardtop
V12 engine with 515 kW (700 hp)
Extremely fast-shifting ISR transmission and pushrod suspension
Comprehensive equipment and extensive individualization options
The only rear mid-mounted V12 open-top car in the industry
The most extraordinary series production Lamborghini ever built

With the Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster, Automobili Lamborghini presents one of the most remarkable series production models in the history of the company while, at the same time, setting a new benchmark for open-top super sports cars.

Following the successful launch of the coupe in summer 2011 and more than 1,300 units sold, a new version of the Aventador is now under starter’s orders – the Roadster. The open-top super sports car is utterly unique in the world, uniting the very pinnacle of sporting performance and state-of-the-art technology with the ultimate open-air driving experience.

The new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster greets the world with a phenomenal set of performance figures. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds and goes on to reach a top speed of 350 km/h. These numbers make the Aventador Roadster an absolutely unique open-top super sports car that is without parallel in the competitive field. Equally unrivalled is the Aventador Roadster’s technology package, with its carbon-fiber monocoque as the focal point. Power comes courtesy of the high-revving, high-torque, naturally aspirated V12 with 6.5 liters of displacement and 515 kW (700 hp). The new CDS cylinder deactivation system and the innovative Stop & Start system with supercaps make this stunning power unit even more efficient and reducing CO2 emissions.

The automated seven-speed Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) transmission is one of a kind amongst road-going sports cars and guarantees the fastest possible shift time of just 50 milliseconds, not to mention a highly emotional shift feel. The lightweight running gear with pushrod suspension delivers absolute precision and race track performance. The aviation-inspired interior comes with hi-tech features ranging from the TFT display in the cockpit to the Drive Select Mode system.

The most important new development in the Roadster is the two-piece hardtop made entirely from carbon fiber, providing the perfect complement to the monocoque, which is also made completely using carbon fiber technology. Both components feature technologies such as RTM and Forged Composite®, which deliver a perfect surface finish, allow complex design shapes and the highest possible component stiffness combined with extremely low weight. Thus, the two roof parts each weigh less than 6 kilograms and can be stowed easily in the luggage compartment. There is a dedicated locking system in the trunk for secure stowage of the hard top during the journey. In a short space of time, the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster is ready to be enjoyed in all its open-air splendor.

The side windows of the Aventador Roadster are slanted along their upper edge to form an extremely tight fit with the hard top and, when the roof is open, underscore the sharp profile of the Italian super sports car.

The driver of the Aventador Roadster and his co-driver can also decide how intensely they would like to enjoy the driving experience. The electric rear windshield can be raised and lowered not only to influence air flow through the car, but also to control the intensity of the impressive sound experience generated by the mighty twelve-cylinder.

The Aventador Roadster is produced to the very highest quality standards in brand new manufacturing facilities in Sant’ Agata Bolognese.

The Design

Every line and every detail of the super sports cars from Sant’ Agata Bolognese adheres to clearly defined requirements: speed, dynamics, performance. Every Lamborghini is pure and minimalist and is focused completely on the fundamentals. These principles make every model an avantgarde work of art, a high-speed technical sculpture.

The Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster does not accept any compromises when it comes to performance and design. As a consequence the engineering team in Sant’ Agata Bolognese has selected a removable two-piece hardtop compared with a traditional electric roof solution, specifically to keep the dynamic profile of the car and maintain low weight.

The lines are evocative of artistic knife work – radical and precise to a degree that is unparalleled in automotive design. The powerfully taut surfaces of the bodyshell are finished to the very highest standards and display the expertise and experience of Automobili Lamborghini in working with carbon fiber materials.

Characteristic to the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster is the completely redesigned geometry around the roof area. The rear roof pillar displays not only extreme visual sharpness and clarity, but also incorporates roll-over protection for the occupants and ensures optimum ventilation for the twelve-cylinder engine.

Beginning with a length of 4.78 meters, the car’s spectacular proportions are defined by a low height of just 1.14 meters and a width of 2.26 meters (including exterior mirrors). It goes without saying that both doors in the carbon fiber monocoque open upward in the open-top version of the Aventador. When temperatures outside are high and there is an increased need for engine cooling, electronically controlled auxiliary intake vents open automatically above the rear wheels

The Roadster’s engine cover is also noticeably different from that of the coupe. Its central element is a sort of “backbone” flanked on each side by a pair of hexagonally shaped panels to resemble hi-tech armor plating. They protect the engine, while permitting a direct view of the technical aesthetics of the V12 power unit.

The two-tone concept of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster is also new: The front windshield frame and the area around the rear windshield extending to the rear “fins” is always finished in high-gloss black. The visual effect is of a completely open vehicle with lines that create perfect harmony in the combination of athletic prowess and elegance.

The range of colors available for the Roadster also includes the new metallic paintwork “Azzurro Thetys”, a subtle shade of azure blue that alters depending on the angle of the light. This color harks back to that of the Lamborghini Miura Roadster from 1968 and lends additional power and dynamism to the vehicle’s lines. Exclusive – sporty, hi-tech interior The interior of the Aventador Roadster combines the sophisticated exclusivity of the finest materials and perfect craftsmanship in the best Italian tradition with state-of-the-art technology and luxurious appointments. The interior is dominated by the new-generation cockpit – as in modern aircraft, the instruments are depicted on a TFT liquid crystal flat screen with innovative display concepts. A second screen is part of the standard fit multimedia and navigation system. A red flap on the broad center tunnel shields the start button required to fire up the twelve-cylinder.

V12 engine and Lamborghini ISR transmission

The new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster is powered by the same V12 power unit featured in the model year 2013 coupe. Its vital statistics start with the maximum power output of 515 kW (700 hp) at 8,250 rpm. Peak torque stands at 690 Newton meters and is achieved at 5,500 rpm. The brilliant acceleration figure of just 3.0 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and the top speed of 350 km/h stand as clear testament to the extreme performance of the Aventador Roadster. The mighty torque curve, the phenomenal pulling power out of every situation, the extreme responsiveness and, not least, the finely modulated but always highly emotional acoustics make the V12 power unit an utterly fascinating engine for an open-top super sports car of the absolutely highest order.

The engine crankcase is made from an aluminum-silicon alloy and has an open-deck construction with steel cylinder liners. It has a displacement of 6498 cm3 and cylinder spacing of 103.5 millimeters. Bore is 95.0 millimeters, while stroke stands at 76.4 millimeters. The short stroke makes the engine particularly high revving and ensures low internal friction, something also facilitated by the bearing arrangement for the forged and nitride-hardened crankshaft, which weighs just 24.6 kilograms.

The two four-valve cylinder heads are also made from sand-cast aluminum-silicon alloy and tip the scales at a very light 21 kilograms each. The twelve pistons and con rods are made from a forged steel alloy, with a maximum piston speed of just 21 meters per second at 8,250 rpm. A great deal of attention was afforded to the design of the combustion chambers in order to achieve optimum tumble and combustion of the fuel/air mix. The compression ratio is extremely high at 11.8:1.

Innovative – stop & start system and cylinder deactivation

Automobili Lamborghini uses an extremely advanced and unique technology for the new stop & start system in the Aventador Roadster. The energy for the restart following a stop phase (e.g. at a red light) is provided by high capacity capacitors known as supercaps. They enable an exceptionally fast start process that sets the V12 engine running again in a virtually imperceptible 180 milliseconds, which is considerably faster than with conventional systems. Plus, this new technology also delivers a weight saving of three kilograms in line with the Lamborghini lightweight design philosophy. The classic vehicle battery supplies only the electronic systems, making it small in size and sufficient for the entire vehicle life.

A further efficiency technology takes the form of the cylinder deactivation system (CDS). Under low load and at speeds of less than 135 km/h, CDS deactivates one of the cylinder banks to make the engine run as an inline six. However, just the slightest tip on the gas pedal is enough to reinstate the extreme performance of the V12 power plant with its maximum output of 515 kW (700 hp).

Cylinder deactivation and the stop & start system both work extremely quickly, go largely unnoticed by the driver and have no negative impact on the amazing driving feel. However, these systems deliver a noticeable improvement in efficiency – the average fuel consumption of the Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster falls by seven percent to 16.0 liters/100 km. At a cruising speed of around 130 km/h, the reduction in consumption and emissions compared to the 2012 Aventador coupe is as much as 20 percent.

The exhaust system – orchestral sound with low emissions

Lamborghini engineers paid a particular amount of attention to the exhaust system – the lowest possible emissions were just as critical as the unmistakable, spine-tingling Lamborghini sound. The hydro-formed and temperature-insulated three-in-one system incorporates four first-stage catalytic converters close to the engine and two main catalytic converters just before the muffler. Inside its casing are two separate mufflers, one low-volume and one high-volume, actuated via flaps controlled by the engine management system. The V12 engine masters all the elements of the mighty twelve-cylinder symphony – from a moderate growl when rolling at low revs through town, to a screaming crescendo at full tilt.

The twelve-cylinder – the heart of automotive legends

The twelve-cylinder is the crowning glory of engine design and the true heart of the Lamborghini brand. The very first model by Ferruccio Lamborghini, the 350 GT, left the factory in 1964 with what was at the time a highly innovative twelve-cylinder. 3.5 liters of displacement and 320 hp were the vital statistics back then, and they formed the basis for ongoing increase and development over the decades that followed. Miura, Espada, Countach, Diablo and, most recently, Murciélago are just a few of the super sports cars to leave the halls of Sant’Agata. All were and are driven by V12 engines, and all have long attained the status of automotive legend.

vThe Lamborghini ISR transmission

Alongside the engine, the transmission also defines the character and driving feel of a super sports car. The ratios must be perfectly sorted and provide the engine with all it needs for optimum power delivery. For maximum vehicle performance, shift times should be as short as possible. The controls must be clear and straightforward – in the case of the Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster, this is facilitated by two ergonomic shift paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. The transmission characteristics must be in line with the wishes of the driver at any given point in time – from comfortable city cruising to hardcore track driving. The shift feel in the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster is highly emotional, with exceptionally short shift times of just 50 milliseconds being the norm. The Lamborghini ISR transmission is a hugely important part of the drivetrain. Compared to a dual-clutch transmission, it is not only considerably lighter, it is also significantly more compact: both are key advantages in the design of super sports cars. The ISR transmission is conceived as a two-shaft unit with seven forward gears. For particularly high durability under sustained heavy loads, the synchronizing rings are made from carbon fiber – a material with which Lamborghini has particularly extensive experience.

The extremely short shift times are possible due to the specific layout of the transmission, known as ISR – Independent Shifting Rod. The shift procedure is exceptionally fast: while one shifting rod disengages one gear, the other shifting rod is already engaging the next. Because these movements have a certain degree of overlap and the mechanical paths are very short, this saves a significant proportion of the otherwise normal shifting time.

The new transmission has four of these independent shifting rods, with sensors constantly monitoring their exact position. They are operated via hydraulic actuators, with a very high operating pressure of 60 bar to ensure the necessary speed. The system includes seven hydraulic valves, while the pressure is delivered by an electric pump.

The ISR transmission offers five operating modes that can be switched in line with personal preference – three manual settings (Strada, Sport, Corsa) and two automatic strategies (Strada Auto and Sport Auto). The Strada mode is intended for particularly comfort-oriented shifting, while the Sport mode has a more dynamic setting with higher shifting points and shorter shift times. The Corsa mode offers the optimum shifting pattern for track conditions and also incorporates Thrust Mode (Launch Control) – the automated function for maximum acceleration from a standstill.

Refined handling with all-wheel drive

Permanent all-wheel drive delivers the extreme power of the V12 power unit to the road with the utmost reliability. An electronically controlled clutch in the drivetrain distributes driving force between front and rear. In the space of just milliseconds, this clutch adapts torque distribution to suit the prevailing conditions. The torque distribution to the front wheels can vary continuously from 0% to 60% of the total torque available. A self-locking differential at the rear axle together with the ESP facilitate an even more dynamic driving style.

Carbon-fiber monocoque and pushrod suspension

Lamborghini is striding into the future with a systematic lightweight design concept. The intensive use of carbon fiber materials forms the critical basis for the extreme handling of the new Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster. The open-top model is based on a full monocoque made from innovative materials, developed and produced in its entirety by Automobili Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese.

The full monocoque is a single physical component, guaranteeing extreme stiffness and thus excellent handling precision, as well as the very highest levels of passive safety – with minimal weight. It is connected at the front and rear to equally stiff sub-frames made from aluminum, on which the suspension, engine and transmission are mounted.

For the construction of the monocoque, the Lamborghini development team selected three main production methods from the range of available technologies, based on the form and function of the individual elements as well as the loads acting on them. These methods vary not only in the production process itself, but also in the types of carbon fiber and weave technology as well as the chemical composition of the epoxy resin used.

Resin Transfer Molding (RTM): In this process, the carbon-fiber mats are preformed and impregnated with an exact amount of resin. Afterwards, they are cured under heat while still inside the mold. Lamborghini has achieved significant further developments in this process. Using the patented “RTM-Lambo” process, the final mold is no longer a heavy, complex metal piece, but is made instead from lightweight carbon fiber parts, thus making the manufacturing process faster, more flexible and more efficient. An additional benefit of the RTM-Lambo process is the low injection pressure that does not require expensive equipment and auxiliaries.

Prepreg: The carbon fiber mats are pre-impregnated by the supplier with a thermosetting liquid resin and must be stored at a low temperature. The mats are then laminated in molds and cured under heat and pressure in an autoclave. Prepreg components are complex to make, but have an extremely high quality surface finish (class A surface quality) and are therefore the preferred option for use in visible locations.

Braiding: These parts are also manufactured using RTM technology. This carbon fiber weave technology is derived from the textile industry and used to make tubular components for special applications such as structural roof pillars and tub rockers. The webbing is made by diagonally interweaving the fiber in several layers. The monocoque of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster is built using these technologies in a series of process steps. Due to the complexity of the materials and production processes involved, Lamborghini makes the monocoque entirely in-house.

Just a few tub components have been modified compared to the Aventador Coupé:

The rocker covers
The rear shelf thickness have been increased
The tunnel has been reinforced

The complete open top body-in-white thus has an exceptional stiffness of 22,000 Nm/°, a value that is comparable to the torsional stiffness of the aluminum chassis of a super sports car coupé.

Race car feeling – extreme precision thanks to pushrod suspension

Lamborghini has equipped its open-top super sports car with an innovative and highly sophisticated chassis concept. The pushrod springs and dampers are inspired by Formula 1 and perfectly tuned for a high-performance, road-going sports car. In this arrangement, the spring/damper elements are fixed inboard on the bodyshell structure. They are positioned horizontally, beneath the windshield at the front and close to the engine at the rear. Pushrods and relay levers transmit the forces from the wheel mounts to the spring/damper elements. Together with the aluminum double wishbone suspension and the carbon fiber ceramic brake system, this lightweight running gear forms yet another key part of the new Roadster’s unique technology concept.

For the new Aventador Roadster Pirelli, as technical partner in collaboration with the engineering team in Sant’ Agata Bolognese, has developed a specific version of the Pirelli P Zero.

The Aventador Roadster rolls as standard on 19-inch wheels at the front, clad in 255/35 rubber. At the rear, a set of 335/30 tires run on 20-inch rims. Optionally available are the new and incredibly expressive “Dione” wheel rims, measuring 20 inches in diameter at the front and 21 inches at the rear. The forged aluminum wheels also reduce the weight of the vehicle by 10 kilograms. The hydraulic Servotronic steering on the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster forms a highly sensitive bridge between the driver and the super sports car. Its characteristics can be varied in three stages in accordance with driver preference as part of the Drive Select Mode package.

Price and equipment

From dynamics, to safety, to communication and entertainment, the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster fulfills all the desires of even the most demanding sports car fan. With a wide range of colors and variants, both the exterior and interior can be individualized perfectly to suit. The Aventador Roadster offers one of the most modern, comprehensive and individual technology and equipment packages ever realized in an open-top super sports car.

One of the many options is the new, two-tone leather upholstery “Sabbia Nefertem” that takes full advantage of the craftsmanship on hand in the Sant’Agata Bolognese saddlery and delivers the perfect contrast to the Azzurro Thetys exterior color. Naturally, “Ad Personam” is also available for the Aventador Roadster, as the ultimate in personalization programs.

Comprehensive safety systems

In the hands of its drivers, the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster is a precision driving machine of the very highest order. The driver is aided by systems such as the individually controllable ESP dynamic control. Passive safety comes courtesy of the extremely stiff carbon-fiber cell, alongside front, head/thorax and knee airbags.

The price of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster is in Europe is set at 300,000 Euros plus applicable taxes.

Technical Data

CHASSIS AND BODY

Frame Carbon fiber monocoque with aluminum front and rear frames
Body Carbon fiber engine cover, movable spoiler and side air inlets; aluminum front cover, front fenders and doors; SMC rear fender and rocker cover
High pressure RTM carbon fiber hard top painted in matte black
Suspension Front and rear horizontal mono-tube dampers with push-rod system
ESP ESP/ ABS with different ESP characteristics managed by drive select mode
Brakes Dual hydraulic-circuit brake system with vacuum brake booster; front and rear CCB, 6-cylinder brake calipers, 4-cylinder brake calipers
Ventilated discs (front) Ø 400 x 38 mm (15.74 x 1.49 in) 6 pistons (calipers)
Ventilated discs (rear) Ø 380 x 38 mm (14.96 x 1.49 in) 4 pistons (calipers)
Steering Steering gear with 3 different servotronic characteristics managed by drive select mode
Tires (standard) Pirelli 255/35 ZR19 (front) – 335/30 ZR20 (rear)
Rims (standard) 19''x9J (front) - 20'' x 12J (rear)
Tires (optional) Pirelli 255/30 ZR20 (front) – 355/30 ZR21 (rear)
Rims (optional) 20''x9J (front) - 21'' x 13J (rear)
Curb-to-curb turning circle 12.5 m (41.01 ft)
Mirrors External mirror electrically foldable
Rear spoiler Moveable into 3 positions depending on speed and drive select mode
Airbags Front dual-stage driver airbag and front adaptive passenger airbag; seats with side “head-thorax” airbags; passenger and driver knee airbags

ENGINE

Type	V12, 60°, MPI
Displacement	6498 cc (396.5 cu. in)
Bore and stroke	Ø 95 mm x 76.4 mm (3.74 in x 3.01 in)
Valve gear Variable valve timing	electronically controlled
Compression ratio	11.8 ± 0.2
Maximum power	700 hp (515 kW) at 8,250 rpm
Maximum torque	690 Nm (509 ft-lb) at 5,500 rpm
Emission class	EURO 5 - LEV 2
Emission control system	Catalytic converters with lambda sensors
Cooling system	Water and oil cooling system in the rear with variable air inlets
Engine management system	Lamborghini Iniezione Elettronica (LIE) with ion current analysis
Lubrication system	Dry sump

DRIVETRAIN

Type of transmission 4WD with Haldex generation IV
Gearbox 7 speed ISR, shifting characteristics dependant on drive select mode
Standard AMT
Clutch Dry double-plate clutch, Ø 235 mm (9.25 in)

PERFORMANCE

Top speed - 350 km/h (217 mph)
Acceleration (0–100 km/h [0–62 mph]) - 3 sec.

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase	2700 mm (106.29 in)
Overall length	4780 mm (188,18 in)
Overall width (excluding mirrors)	2030 mm (79.92 in)
Overall width (including mirrors)	2265 mm (89.17 in)
Overall height	1136 mm (44.72 in)
Dry weight	1625 kg (3,582 lb)
Weight/Power	2.32 kg/hp (5.12 lb/hp)
Weight distribution (front – rear)	43% - 57%

TANK CAPACITIES*

Fuel tank	90 liters (23.77 US gallons, 19.79 UK gallons)
Engine oil	13 liters (3.43 US gallons, 2.86 UK gallons)
Engine coolant	25 liters (6.60 US gallons, 5.50 UK gallons)

CONSUMPTION**