2017 Lamborghini Aventador S Coupé: Preservation of Perfection

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Courtesy of Automotive Rhythms www.automotiverhythms.com
 

Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins

Monterey Car Week is fascinating in many facets including the copious amounts of opportunities to witness, experience or take the wheel of some of the most mystical sports cars rapidly roaming the region. Among the automotive outliers in town for the motorsports gathering was Automobili Lamborghini with their squadron of raging bulls ready for evaluation at the well-known Quail Lodge. The moment of truth from my perspective was expressed by the 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S Coupé, a bull with bravado that would make company founder Ferruccio Elio Arturo Lamborghini proud.

With 50 years of bull naming under its wing Lamborghini chose Aventador — a courageous bull that gained its reputation by claiming the Trofeo de la Peña La Madroñera in 1993 — to represent the next level model for the iconic Italian brand. The moniker also stays in theme with the charging bull crest manifested from Ferruccio’s Taurus sign which would ultimately become the brand identity for the purveyor of exquisitely crafted super sports cars.

2017 Lamborghini Aventador S Coupé Preservation of Perfection

For the morning of my evaluation automotive perversion was presented in the form of 740 horsepower at 8,500 rpm emanating from the updated naturally aspirated 6.5-liter Multi Point Injection (MPI) V12 engine which allows the vehicle to accelerate 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds and top out at 217 mph. With permanent 4WD, a new four-wheel steering system, a 7-speed Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) gearbox and carbon-ceramic brakes best believe we experienced the bull bravado of the $522,725 ($417,650 base price) Sant’Agata Bolognese native.

On the switchback valley roads of Carmel the Aventador’s Lamborghini Active Vehicle Dynamics (LDVA) technology showcased its performance ethos which in theory would have been better suited at the nearby Laguna Seca Raceway. So of course I kept my intentions limited for respect of the environment. In this case self-expression was sacrificed for self-restraint. But right away you feel that the Aventador S Coupé has no shortcomings. When I aggressively hit the accelerator the supercar reacted with candor and when I stomped the brake peddle it abruptly halted like that infamous police command. The authoritative V12 is fierce but humble, and disperses grandiose loads of torque when called upon while the auditory notes of the centered, triple exhaust outlets are powerful enough to awaken resting spirits.

2017 Lamborghini Aventador S Coupé: Preservation of Perfection

“This is the next generation Aventador as well as the expression of new technological and performance milestones in super sports car development,” says Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali. “The Aventador S is visionary design, cutting-edge technology and driving dynamics in pure harmony, and elevates the concept of super sports cars to a new level.”

Aerodynamic performance is a key virtue and vernacular for the Aventador S Coupé’s technological aptitude. Weight is saved by the carbon fiber monocoque and adjoining aluminum frames for example. To reach 217 mph its enhanced design needed to cut through wind like blades; breath easy with effective cooling; and react outstandingly from its updated Lamborghini Magneto-rheological Suspension (LMS) with new rear springs and a real-time variable damping system. The extended front splitter, two side air ducts, active rear wing and massive rear diffuser lined with vertical fins collaborate to achieve Lamborghini’s dynamic objectives for the car. From my initial, yet emphatic acceleration in first gear, quickly up through 2, 3, 4 I felt the magnitude of the Aventador’s V12. However, there was no room for the top gears since a circuit with a long backstretch would be required.

2017 Lamborghini Aventador S Coupé: Preservation of Perfection

My tester was delivered in Lamborghini’s New Giallo Orion ($4,900) hue and adorned with staggered Dianthus 20” front / 21” rear forged rims ($4,300) enveloped in Pirelli P Zero rubber, yellow brake calipers ($1,390) and an abundance of carbon fiber including the engine bay, front splitter and interior. The Sportivo bicolor ($2,950) and Alcantara trimmed ($3,500) cockpit felt more aeronautical — as usual — than supercar which instantly instigates the vehicle’s full capabilities. The leather wrapped, flat bottom, multifunction steering wheel is thick and outlined with perfectly placed thumb indentations. Seven toggle switches above the HVAC allow you to control various systems such as ESC, Parking and frontend lift for turning into or exiting steep driveways. The exterior tint is also carried into the dark Nero Ade cabin as contrast stitching outlining the steering wheel, seats, dash and center console.

2017 Lamborghini Aventador S Coupé: Preservation of Perfection

Four drive modes include STRADA for comfort, SPORT for rear wheel bias calibrated in tandem with the new Lamborghini Rear-wheel Steering, CORSA for the track and the new, customizable EGO mode while large butterfly paddles solely handle the assignment of transmission upshifts and downshifts. For most of the drive time I kept my vehicle in SPORT which directs up to 90% torque to the rear wheels.

Added intelligence and infotainment stems from the new TFT digital dashboard, Apple CarPlay and the Lamborghini telemetry system ($2,100) which records your vehicle’s track data such as lap times. The 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S Coupé is a special super sports car with barely any flaws. So why not revamp your automotive collection with a vehicle that warps through time while energizing the senses.

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