We’ve seen what the car can do on track thanks to an earlier – and very vocal – onboard video at Imola; now we’ve the full technical spec to prove that Lamborghini’s Essenza SCV12 is one serious bit of kit. Not just because it comes with the marque’s most potent V12 engine yet, but because it is a GT track car built around an all-carbonfibre chassis conforming to FIA prototype safety regs. It’s said to be as dynamically capable as it is ferocious and noisy - and we’re inclined to believe it.
That V12 motor, for example, is 11hp more potent than the hybrid powerplant of the Sian, sans turbochargers, superchargers or anything else which might sap its purity. Admittedly it does require the force-feeding effects of a ram-air intake to produce that peak output at high speed, but that still leaves it naturally aspirated - and outputting 830hp. The car weighs 1,378kg - or enough for a 602hp per tonne power-to-weight ratio. In a naturally aspirated car. Madness.
This impressive feat is made possible thanks to the Essenza’s thoroughbred makeup, which centres around an all-carbon structure and makes the powertrain, including a newly developed X-trac six-speed sequential gearbox, a solid, stressed component. This single seater-esque layout holds the push-rod rear suspension in place and ensures ultra-tight packaging along with maximum rigidity. So solid is this structure that it’s approved by FIA regulations to run without an internal roll cage, just like proper prototypes.
Magnesium rims (19 and 20-inch) with Pirelli slicks complete the underlying setup, which is then draped in an all carbon skin crafted to maximise downforce. Taking inspiration from the top category of sports car racing, Lambo’s aerodynamicists have been able to generate 1,200kg of downforce at 155mph. Even at lower speeds, the SCV12 is said to generate more aerodynamic grip than a GT3 car.
There are some familiar features from Lambo’s Huracan GT3 machinery, including a pair of openings on the shallow nose that each divert air over the bodywork. One provides an escape for hot radiator air, while the other sends cold air from the lower intake up towards the roof-mounted intake scoop. Swelled side intakes also ensure substantial cooling effect from the incoming air, while also adding a whole lot of extra muscle to the Essenza’s somewhat familiar form.
Rest assured it’s all totally bespoke, though, with inspiration drawn from Lambo’s back catalogue of track cars, including the Miura Jota and Diablo GTR, and that side silhouette inspired by prototypes of the seventies. Inside, it’s actually more Lambo road car than traditional thoroughbred track machine, with the lack of roll cage freeing up space for a proper dashboard, wrapped in Alcantara and sporting exposed carbonfibre sections. A pair of OMP bucket seats are complimented by an F1-inspired steering wheel, with a digital display in its centre to provide all vital information at a point just below the driver’s eyeline. There’s plenty of Lambo flair amongst all the functionality.
As per tradition in this world of ultra-exclusive, track-only hypercars, Lamborghini provides each of its 40 Essenza customers with access to arrive and drive events at some of the world’s most prestigious circuits. On hand at these events will be Lambo Squadra Corse technical staff, as well as five-time Le Mans winner Emanuele Pirro and Marco Mapelli, the Lamborghini Squadra Corse factory driver we know from those terrific Nurburgring lap record runs. No excuses for missing those apexes, then.
Giorgio Sanna, head of Lamborghini motorsport, said of the package: “With Essenza SCV12 we wanted to elevate not only performance and driving pleasure but also the experience off the track. Customers can take advantage of exclusive and highly customisable services to fully experience the best of Italian hospitality and become part of the Lamborghini Squadra Corse family.”
Backing those claims is inclusion of a storage service in a new hangar at Lambo’s Sant’Agata Bolognese home, with each car getting its own garage and dedicated attention. Owners can even keep check of their baby via a webcam feed, accessed via an app. Those wanting to improve their fitness to maximise performance in the car can do so, via Lambo’s Squadra Corse Drivers Lab, which mirrors the racing programme’s fitness regime.
Certainly, this is a serious offering for a serious car; as such, we’re expecting the total price to amount to something really rather serious, too. Lambo’s being tight lipped on the actual figure, but we suspect it’d easily barge into £2m to £3m bracket, given the bespoke nature of what’s on offer. For those who can afford one, Lambo expects to deliver its first Essenza SCV12s in time for them to hit the track in 2021.
1 / 10