Tuesday 3rd December 2013

Lamborghini Veneno Roadster launched...

...on an aircraft carrier, temptation to then launch it off it avoided

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Who even knew the Italian navy had an aircraft carrier? Well, it does, this state of the art embodiment of naval military might finding valuable employment in recent years as ... a mobile car launch venue. First it was the Fiat Punto Evo. And the other night in Abu Dhabi the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster, exposure on the flight deck of the Nave Cavour probably the only thing these two cars will ever share in common.

Which would be faster fired off the deck?

Using a loose definition of the term 'public unveiling', Lamborghini revealed the Veneno Roadster onboard the Nave Cavour, the implication being that anyone strolling past the Mina Zayed dockyard, seeing an Italian aircraft carrier docked and idly hopping aboard could have joined the party. They couldn't of course, the glitzy unveiling being reserved for the expected array of 'authorities, clients, VIP and media' with a fashion show, fancy Italian food and all the millionaire lifestyle trimmings.

It takes quite a lot to make a jet fighter look drab and boring but against the Veneno Roadster even the Italian AV-8B Harrier IIs look a bit downbeat. The car itself, as we already know, is Lamborghini's attempt to steal a bit of the McLaren P1 and LaFerrari's thunder by throwing a bunch of outrageous carbon aero at an Aventador and moving the decimal point on the price to the right a step or two. And now available without a roof. Three Veneno coupes will be built for specially selected customers at 3m euros apiece, the Roadster relatively common in comparison with nine due to be constructed in 2014.

Missed out on the coupe? Nine to be built!

The 3.3m euros (plus taxes) pricetag is one of many outrageous figures associated with the car, a sub-three 0-62 (2.9 seconds) and 221mph top speed courtesy of a 750hp version of the Aventador's 6.5-litre V12 among the others. Given that Lamborghini makes great claims about the aero effectiveness of all that extraordinary bodywork it skims over the possible impact of removing the roof but, let's face it, we're unlikely to see the Veneno Roadster joining the battle to record a sub-seven 'ring lap record. This is all about visual and visceral impact, the pomp, circumstance and chosen location of this unveiling entirely appropriate.

[Sources: Airforce Technology]

[British Beef]

I think the P1 would smirk and say "10/10 for effort, now try following me around the track!"

[dukebox9reg]

This is why I prefer Lambo to Ferrari. Absolutely bonkers. Think they've definitely taken the crown back off Pagani in that respect.

[Axel350Z]

British Beef said:

I think the P1 would smirk and say "10/10 for effort, now try following me around the track!"

and who would smirk down the Cote D`azur when the bog eyed P1 is completely ignored by everyone in favor of the gorgeous lambo.

[Krikkit]

British Beef said:

I think the P1 would smirk and say "10/10 for effort, now try following me around the track!"

Quite, but they're definitely very different cars.

Before the flames start, I like the Veneno. It's a silly, flamboyant poke in the eye.

[zeppelin101]

Gorgeous? The thing is horrid in the extreme. It looks like it's been attacked with a machete, what happened to having proper curves?

[Chicane-UK]

zeppelin101 said:

Gorgeous? The thing is horrid in the extreme. It looks like it's been attacked with a machete, what happened to having proper curves?

Agreed - it's an utter eyesore.

[Garlick]

If this was offered as a styling package by Mansory (or similar) we'd all point and laugh while shaking our heads.

I think I'll pass. Not that I can afford it.

[cookie1600]

" Ferrari engineers shocked at latest Lamborghini offering, try hastily designed modifications to LaFerrari prototype to match it"

[gofasterrosssco]

Axel350Z said:

British Beef said:

I think the P1 would smirk and say "10/10 for effort, now try following me around the track!"

and who would smirk down the Cote D`azur when the bog eyed P1 is completely ignored by everyone in favor of the gorgeous lambo.

Probably those already blinded by their own magnificence thinking they are 'it' whilst creeping along in their over-styled, over-priced Aventador..

[Usget]

gofasterrosssco said:

Probably those already blinded by their own magnificence thinking they are 'it' whilst creeping along in their over-styled, over-priced Aventador..

I'm sure this car does many things extremely well, but I'd wager that "creep" would not be one of them

[mackay45]

Chicane-UK said:

zeppelin101 said:

Gorgeous? The thing is horrid in the extreme. It looks like it's been attacked with a machete, what happened to having proper curves?

Agreed - it's an utter eyesore.

Agreed. Every branch of the ugly tree.

[g7jhp]

From the image on the homepage I thought it had been crashed. I see that's the styling!

[GALLARDOGUY]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[British Beef]

mackay45 said:

Chicane-UK said:

zeppelin101 said:

Gorgeous? The thing is horrid in the extreme. It looks like it's been attacked with a machete, what happened to having proper curves?

Agreed - it's an utter eyesore.

Agreed. Every branch of the ugly tree.

Big big tree and lots of (sharp) branches - to my eyes!

Its nice that it is different, but I think it is trying far too hard, and the driver looks would like a cock, especially if driving around cot d'azur. I can see the sheiks loving these.

[Impasse]

Perfect receptacle for London based parking tickets.

[Enricogto]

Dan,

I think you'll discover that actually the Italian Navy has two aircraft carriers, Garibaldi and Cavour.

[Axel350Z]

gofasterrosssco said:

Axel350Z said:

British Beef said:

I think the P1 would smirk and say "10/10 for effort, now try following me around the track!"

and who would smirk down the Cote D`azur when the bog eyed P1 is completely ignored by everyone in favor of the gorgeous lambo.

Probably those already blinded by their own magnificence thinking they are 'it' whilst creeping along in their over-styled, over-priced Aventador..

and the MC12 in a drag with remapped turbos for 5 times the price is any better? : - )
At least the lambo is Naturally Aspirated.

[B10]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPSBp4X3C7Yý

[Dan Trent]

Enricogto said:

Dan,

I think you'll discover that actually the Italian Navy has two aircraft carriers, Garibaldi and Cavour.

Double what we've got then!

Dan

[Tartan Pixie]

Looking at that top pic makes me think the launch could have been a lot more fun if they'd invited Ken Block.