Lamborghini reveals jaw-dropping Fenomeno
Latest 'few off' Sant'Agata supercar boasts 1,080hp, a 6D chassis and CCM-R Plus brakes - all are allocated...
When Lamborghini says it’s embarking on another ‘few-off’ supercar, you know it’s going to be something special. This is the dynasty, after all, that’s brought us such machines as the Sesto Elemento, Veneno and Siàn. All Lambos are special, but the few-offs are most certainly a cut above; the latest is this, the Fenomeno - you can probably translate that without any help - complete with Lamborghini’s most powerful V12 in history and a host of new technologies. It celebrates the 20th anniversary of Lamborghini’s Centro Stile, and just 29 will be made - all are spoken for.
As is often the case with these special editions (see how the Reventon inspired the Aventador, likewise the Siàn and the Revuelto) we can expect elements of the Fenomeno to influence future series production models. For now, drink it in, a scooped, slatted and slammed supercar that almost makes a Revuelto seem a little plain, without resorting to truly over-the-top measures. Notably, there’s no towering spoiler here, or gangly air scoop, or diffuser that adds half a metre to the length of the car. Lamborghini suggests the Fenomeno is a ‘design manifesto’, a car that takes ‘the brand’s most representative stylistic elements to the extreme’. So the Y-shaped light signatures are even more dramatic here (check out the back in particular), the bodywork sacrifices to aero and cooling are more noticeable (the intake scoops up front are inspired by the Huracan GT3, those ahead of the rear wheels look straight from an Evija), and the exhaust is utterly spectacular. Look: as far as the eye can see, it’s one giant hexagonal pipe, almost at hip height and as wide as your TV. Probably.
The Revuelto’s 6.5-litre V12 will scream out of that exhaust, now more powerful than ever in the Fenomeno; another 20hp over the Revuelto’s output means 835hp from combustion alone - or 128hp per litre. Interestingly, the bulk of the power gain comes from an evolution of the hybrid system, underpinned by a larger 7kWh battery (it’s just 3.8 in the Revuelto, expect it in a revised model soon enough). The front oil-cooled axial flow e-motors are rated at 150hp each (and weigh just 18.5kg each), while the third radial flux unit that sits above the gearbox is seemingly unchanged. A larger battery probably means more EV range for the Fenomeno, should anyone care; the fact that Lamborghini doesn’t mention anything sort of says it all.
Performance is predictably ballistic, the eight-speed DCT chomping through ratios to get the Fenomeno to 62mph in 2.4 seconds, twice that in just 6.7, and onto more than 217mph. Keeping the car secure at those speeds is an entirely overhauled aero package, which includes parts like the ‘appendages that frame the front splitter’ (they reduce drag and get more air in the rads), an S-Duct in the front to direct air over the roof and into the engine’s cooling slots (as well as the ‘mobile’ rear wing as required) plus a new design of door to channel more air into those dramatic side intakes. Against a Revuelto, Lamborghini says a Fenomeno boasts ‘over 30 per cent more efficient side cooling’, so that might be handy in whichever ferociously hot climate these end up in. While the design of the new wheels appears like it might aid aero efficiency, there are no claims - they just look cool.
That and the fact that they’re forged, centrelock items, demonstrating that the Fenomeno is about a little more than just crazy noise and design. There are surely a couple of hints at what a Revuelto SV might be here. The Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres used here are said to be custom-engineered for the Fenomeno, and customers will be able to choose ‘a bespoke track-oriented fitment offering track-level performance while remaining fully homologated for public roads’. Which sounds pretty cool. Or run-flats, if so desired. Pay your money, take your choice…
Additionally, the Fenomeno gets manually adjustable dampers, which is not something anyone expected to find. They’re really keen for this to be driven hard on circuit, it seems. The new suspension offers ‘optimum damping performance that keeps body movement in check, as well as a greater travel ratio between wheel and shock to ensure the shock absorber is working as precisely as possible.’ It seemed like the standard suspension was already doing great work with two tonnes of Lamborghini - imagine what this might be capable of. It would explain the very racy stance, too. The Fenomeno is also notable for the fitment of CCM-R Plus carbon-ceramic brakes, previously only seen on track-only stuff like the SC63 Essenza. And, uh, the actual Lamborghini LMDh race car. The promise is of ‘extreme performance in any condition, with unprecedented consistency and response stability’. Once more, the new look is said to help, keeping air flowing to the brakes for steady temps. It’ll be a real crime for these to be stashed away unused, given Lamborghini’s considerable investment in the Fenomeno.
Because it doesn’t stop there, either. The new car is equipped with something called a 6D sensor, and this is where it starts to get a bit more complicated - and hopefully even more spectacular to drive. The sensor lives down in the belly of the beast, near the Fenomeno’s centre of gravity. It measures and offers up information on lateral, longitudinal and vertical acceleration, as well as pitch, roll and yaw - hence 6D. The sensor is directly connected to the Integrated Power Brake (IPB), itself part of the IVE, or Integrated Vehicle Estimator - stick with us here. It essentially means the Lamborghini is better equipped to predict what the car is going to do next and adjust it most appropriately; examples given include braking into bends on track and ‘passing over kerbs’. Because the 6D sensor knows what’s going on, it can help prepare suspension and brakes and assist to best suit what a 1,080hp, c. 2,000kg Lamborghini needs to do next. Great on the rush hour run through La Rascasse, presumably.
Despite the introduction of so much advanced, track-focused technology, Lamborghini hasn’t lost sight of the fact that the Fenomeno is still a very limited-edition special. So the interior is even bolder than a Revuelto’s, with carbon bucket seats, a dash design like something from Robot Wars and ambient lighting that ‘emphasises the spaceship-like forms of the passenger compartment.’ Even with a 6D sensor and CCM-R brakes, Lamborghini is still going to Lamborghini. There are 400 exterior colours available, or the one-off possibilities available via Lamborghini Ad Personam.
Stephan Winkelmann said: “With the Fenomeno, Lamborghini once again presents an incomparable super sports car in a limited edition. The combination of the most powerful V12 in our history, breathtaking design, superior aerodynamics, and cutting-edge technologies such as extreme lightweight construction make the Fenomeno the most extraordinary super sports car of our time." The Revuelto was certainly some stepping-off point for the ‘few-off’ limited editions to pick up from, so expectations will be very high for the Fenomeno driving experience. Let’s hope some of the lucky few are brave enough to find out exactly what millions of dollars’ worth of V12 Lamborghini is really capable of.
Yes, I am a dreamer, and my Lotus is as close as I will get, but you have to dream, and I just have no interest in this or the latest cars.
They do absolutely nothing for me.
I visited the Lamborghini Factory Museum back in July, and the Ferrari Museum, and you could tell, it was a half-hearted effort, even there that I was disappointed in, it was just cool to say I have been.
They are getting uglier, bigger, no flowing lines , just a mismatch of weird shapes and angles.
This is not styling, this is like chucking all the ingredients in and asking AI to design what a 10-year-old thinks a supercar should look like.
Am I getting old?
Yes, I am a dreamer, and my Lotus is as close as I will get, but you have to dream, and I just have no interest in this or the latest cars.
They do absolutely nothing for me.
I visited the Lamborghini Factory Museum back in July, and the Ferrari Museum, and you could tell, it was a half-hearted effort, even there that I was disappointed in, it was just cool to say I have been.
They are getting uglier, bigger, no flowing lines , just a mismatch of weird shapes and angles.
This is not styling, this is like chucking all the ingredients in and asking AI to design what a 10-year-old thinks a supercar should look like.
Am I getting old?
I’m quite glad in a way that I don’t have to remember the specs on the huge number of things just like this that have been revealed over the past few years. They are a complete irrelevance to… well to everyone I’d imagine.
Increases the appeal of the older stuff even more to this old duffer.
As for the 6D thing. So it’s measuring all those parameters and the only possible output is… 3D. Marketing fluff, the whole thing.
Now, if they made something with half the power, half the weight - then that is actual innovation. And then if they could actually hire a stylist to make it beautiful as well. That’s when I’d be eagerly reading up on it.
I think their straight edge, hexagonal, Y shaped fighter jet s
te peaked with the Sesto Elemanto and everything since is bordering on a parody.We get it, the countach had straight lines. Doesn’t mean you need to base a company around one model forever.
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