2007 LA Auto Show: 2008 Lamborghini Reventón Preview

As if a Lamborghini wasn’t already expensive and exclusive, the Italian supercar company raises its game quite a few notches with the Reventón. Price, $1.46 million; production run, 20 cars; availability, sold out. The dark gray, aviation-inspired car is based on the Murciélago LP640 with its 6.5-liter, V-12 engine, which produces 641 horsepower and 487 lb.-ft of torque. Also brought over from the LP640 are all-wheel drive and the six-speed electronic transmission. All that will propel the Reventón to 60 in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 211 mph. Ceramic disc brakes handle the stopping.

Lamborghini and Ferrari have a long-standing rivalry that continues beyond the lives of the respective founders. Lamborghini has been something of an underdog, but thanks to Audi’s ownership, have been catching up. With the Reventón, the company has a supercar to hold up against the Ferrari FXX, and also corporate cousin Bugatti’s Veyron. The Reventón’s production run of only 20 cars is more exclusive than the FXX’s 30, but the Ferrari’s price tag when the car debuted was $2.5 million. But FXX owners can only drive it on factory-approved track days. The FXX isn’t street legal. Slight edge to the prancing horse over the raging bull.

The Reventón differs from the Murciélago from front to back, with the front air intakes made more prominent because of the angular styling of the openings and the nose comes to a point. Headlamps are larger and include LED daytime running lights, along with bi-xenon main lamps. The vents just in front of the rear wheels also get the angular treatment and the upper side vents are larger. The engine cover is three panels of glass at staggered heights to allow ventilation. The rear fascia continues the stealth fighter styling with two large vents under the tail lights, which are with of heat-resistant LEDs.

Carbon fiber meets leather and Alcantara, with some aluminum thrown in for good measure. Three liquid crystal displays take the place of standard gauges and offer three display modes. In the center of the instrument panel is a g-force meter that displays acceleration, braking and turning forces on a circular grid. The one-piece sport seats include openings for a racing harness, should a standard seat belt seem inadequate for the 200 mph plus top speed. Paddle shifters sit behind the Alcantara and carbon fiber steering wheel.

The carmaker emphasizes that it makes “extreme” supercars and they call the Reventón the “most extreme” and an “automotive superlative.” Out of the 20, 11 of them are headed for the U.S., which is Lamborghini’s biggest market. The company expects to break the 1,000 cars sold mark this year. Oh, yeah, it’s named for a famous bull, which killed a famous bull fighter in 1943.

Nothing is that understated about this car, even though its carbon fiber skin is painted flat gray. The angular styling is fighter-jet aggressive, the interior – or should we say cockpit – is about as high tech as anything in production. It makes the Batmobile look like it belongs next to Barbie’s Dream House. High price and low production should ensure permanent collector status.

By Bob Beamesderfer Photo Credit: Oliver Bentley