The article was originally produced on November 30, 2017, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

Lamborghini Aventador S

With a new front, more horsepower and four-wheel steering, as well as an S in the model designation, the new Lamborghini Aventador S pushes the boundaries forward.

It is not the first time I have visited the now German-owned factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese. It shows when I think for a brief moment that today’s test drive is going to go awry when I discover that my driver’s license has been left at the hotel reception upon check-out.

Normally this should mean going home but the nice staff at the factory know who I am so there is nothing to spoil this day. A deep sigh of relief that is quickly drowned out by the grumpy V12 engine that makes itself heard through the hexagonal shaped exhaust pipe in the center of the rear of the yellow Aventadore S that drives up to the entrance.

The engine in the Aventador S can be seen as a jewel that has managed to survive for a long time. 6.5 liters without artificial respiration in the form of a turbocharger or compressor or electricity for that matter, which many supercars nowadays have. No, here we are talking about 740 pure, untouched, bull-strong Italian horses and a twist of 690 newton meters at 5,500 revolutions.

The numbers mean that you are kicked off from a standstill to 100 kilometers per hour in just 2.9 seconds. The feeling can only be described as delight mixed with horror. If you keep the gas pedal muted and the road is long enough, you will see the digital meter stop at 350 kilometers per hour when top speed is reached.

Something I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to try, partly because the test drive took place in Italy and the prevailing traffic conditions. But passing 300 is about as easy as driving most new passenger cars in 200. Since most people want to be able to use their super sports cars also in normal everyday traffic, there have long been options for how the car should behave. For example, a sport button or a sport mode for the gearbox to select.

On the Aventador S finns a slider above the red protective flap for the start button where you have three choices, “Strada”, “Sport” and “Corsa”. The first two work for the most part in everyday traffic where ”Strada” gives a calm character and ”Sport” perks up the car considerably but is still easy to handle.

In sport mode, the exhaust system also allows it to start popping when you lift the gas, which is advantageously done in tunnels for an extra acoustic experience. If you choose to run the whole rope out and put it in ”Corsa” mode, you should be prepared and hold the steering wheel tightly because you have just unleashed a wild bull that wants nothing more than to throw you off.

The robotic gearbox kicks in every single gear as fast as a cobra strikes and with the same force that makes Mike Tyson’s right feel like a caress on the cheek

The feeling can only be described as completely sick, that the car can withstand this strain is a miracle. 740 horsepower straight down the hill via all wheels. The harder you gas and the longer you wait until the end to shift, the faster and harder the shift will be.

Straight up, this is not a problem and just an insane pleasure. But when you get to winding roads up towards a mountain pass, this is not a behavior you would like to have from a car for 3 million kroner. The shifts are simply too hard and brutal for the drive to be harmonious. Here, a modern double clutch box, like the one in the Hurancán for example, would fit much better.

Something that, on the other hand, significantly increases the driving experience on the hairpin bends on the way up to the Giau Pass above Cortina d’Ampezzo is the new four-wheel steering. Even the rear wheels can now turn and at lower speeds it helps to steer in so you can make sharper turns while it steers against at higher speeds which makes the car more stable. Extremely efficient and welcome!

What has also been added and makes the new Aventador S even more convenient is Apple CarPlay. Now all you have to do is connect your phone and your apps will appear on the built-in screen in the center console. The system also supports Android phones in Mirror Link. 

Lamborghini is going full throttle and turnover since 2010 has tripled. The factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese has been expanded to cope with the production of the new Urus super SUV that has just been presented. With the new Aventador S, they continue to show where the cabinet should stand when it comes to supercars with mid-mounted V12 engines without turbo or supercharger, because there are not many left now besides Pagani. Despite the knowledge of our planet’s limitations, we have to keep our fingers crossed that Lamborghini lets this amazing bull’s heart continue to beat. 

Lamborghini Aventador S

Award	About SEK 3,000,000
Engine	6.5-liter V12, 740 hp. Torque 690 Nm
Transmission	Mid-mounted engine, 7-speed robotic automatic, four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering
Acceleration	0-100 in 2.9 seconds
Top speed	350 km/h
Fuel consumption mixed driving according to the manufacturer	1.69 l/mile
Weight	approximately 1,700 kg
Guarantees	New car 2 years
Web	www.lamborghini.com