The long-awaited debut of the Lamborghini Murcielago successor appears to be coming sooner than later after it was reported that Lamborghini has filed for a trademark in the US for the name “Lamborghini Aventador”, leading to questions as to whether this could be the official name of the Lamborghini Jota. Though nothing has been confirmed yet, there seems to be enough reason to believe that the Aventador could very well take the mantle from the Murcielago as Lamborghini’s next hypercar.
A select group of customers were on hand to see the new bull-buster, and, based on what’s been seen, the Aventador looks to have taken a lot of its styling cues from the Lamborghini Reventon. How much of it is Reventon-inspired still remains to be seen, but elements from the Siesto Elemento concept could also make there way into this model. What we do know is that the ‘Aventador’ name will stick around given the lengths Lamborghini went through in obtaining a trademark for the name. So is it safe to say that the Murcielago successor will officially be named the Aventador? We’ll put our eggs in that basket and say yes.

UPDATE 02/18/2011: The internet is great for so many things, and today it has provided an interesting spy video that looks good enough to be official. It’s of the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and shows off both the exterior and the interior of the car. Check out the two minute long video after the jump and let us know what you think!

UPDATE 02/22/2011: World Car Fans has revealed the first image of the new Lamborghini supercar. It may only be a scanned image, but it give us a pretty good idea of the Aventador’s sleek exterior look, and all we can say is...Awesome!

UPDATE 02/24/2011: True to form, we are receiving more teaser images the closer we get to the opening of the Geneva Show doors. This second teaser comes to us from Jalopnik. BullGod, huh. Listen Lamborghini, enough is enough, give us the official details already!

Like we mentioned, word has it that the Aventador is going to have a lot of styling cues derived from the Reventon. Based from some of the spy shots we’ve seen of the car doing test runs, one feature that looks to be Reventon-esque are the intakes. Even though the pictures released so far have been heavily clad test mules, it’s sure to be more edgy than its predecessor. The Sesto Elemento concept featured more flat edge surfaces than a stealth fighter plane and utilized the carbon-fiber developed with a co-op through Boeing.
One other notable thing we learned about the new supercar is that it’s going to be lighter than its predecessor, the Murcielago, especially after Lamborghini CEO Stephen Winkelmann has made it known that the company intends to shed off pounds off of Lamborghinis, including on the Aventador, which is rumored to be using a carbon fiber monocoque chassis that drops the supercar’s weight by 500 lbs from the Murcielago while also increasing its rigidity by over 70%. Despite the lighter models, Lamborghini is still using some famous aspects of past Lamborghini models on the Aventador, including the use of the iconic scissor doors that have come to define Lamborghinis from the rest of the exotic car market.
The Aventador is said to come with a long list of standard features including air conditioning, a navigation system, ABS anti-blocking system, multiple airbags, ESP, traction control, car computer, Euro 5 catalytic converter, xenon lights, automatic keyless go, ceramic brakes, rain sensor, lifting system, and iPod interface. The Diablo was plagued with poor interior quality and transmission linkage that would unexpectedly break. The Murcielago made major strides inside with increased use of lightweight carbon fiber, alcantara, and better ergonomics. The Sesto Elemento concept showed us bucket seats that were actually a part of the monocoque shell and thinly padded directly on top. This allows for weight loss and a more involving driving experience – talk about driving by the seat of your pants.
Performance


As for performance specifications, Lamborghini has announced that the Aventador will come with a new 6.5-liter V12 engine with an AWD layout that produces 700 horsepower and 479 lb/ft of torque. It is the first all-new Lamborghini developed engine since the Countach. This engine will be able to get from 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds while blasting off a top speed of 217 mph and a redline of 8,250 RPM. With a total weight of 1575 Kg it will deliver a power to weight ratio of 2.25 Kg/hp.
The Aventador’s engine is mated to an all-new “Lamborghini ISR” – the ISR stands for Independent Shifting Rod - seven-speed single clutch automated manual gearbox that combines quick shift time with manual shifting, which proves to be quite useful when a car has a low weight and compact dimensions.
The ISR gearbox allows the Aventador to shift gears almost simultaneously. It comes with two modes and 50 millisecond shifts that works in such fashion that when one of the shifting rods is moving out of one gear, the second rod is already shifting on to the next. Another important aspect of the new Lamborghini transmission fits perfectly with the company’s new goal of making its supercars more lightweight: the ISR transmission weighs in at only 79 kilos – about 174 pounds – significantly lighter than any other DSG transmission out on the market.

the new Lamborghini powertrain is a revolutionary new technology that will set apart the Aventador – and all its future models - from it’s supercar contemporaries.

Lamborghini president and CEO Stephan Winkelmann explains that the new Lamborghini powertrain is a revolutionary new technology that will set apart the Aventador – and all its future models - from it’s supercar contemporaries. “This new power unit is not only the crowning glory of our product range, it is also part of our enormous investment in the future of the Lamborghini brand,” he said.
The body and chassis will be entirely constructed from carbon fiber. In collaboration with Boeing Corp. and the University of Washington, Lamborghini created a carbon fiber tub and body that boasts stiffness calculated as 35,000 Newton-meters per degree of deflection. By comparison of stiffness, the Koenigsegg CCR is 28,100 Nm, the Ferrari F50 is 34,600 Nm, and the existing Murcielago is 20,000 Nm. (Automotive News)
The Aventador’s monocoque will also be made solely of carbon fiber. The CFRP not only keeps the curb weight as low as possible, but it is also extremely rigid and offers the same protection as any other Formula 1 race car. In case of a crash, the occupants will benefit for the same protection enveloped in an extremely safe roll cage.
With a total weight of only 324.5 lbs, the new carbon fiber monocoque is connected at the front and rear with equally rigid aluminum sub-frames, on which the suspension, engine, and transmission are mounted. With this construction, the V12 model will weigh in at only 505 lbs and boast of phenomenal torsional rigidity of 35,000 Newton meters per degree of twist.
"Systematic lightweight engineering and an optimum power-to-weight ratio are absolutely crucial to the super sports cars of the future, for both the highest levels of driving pleasure and lower emissions," says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. "Lamborghini has put a lot of hard work into growing its expertise in the application of CFRP, attaining the leadership position we hold today. With its innovative carbon-fiber monocoque, the successor to the Murciélago displays the full competence of our brand and starts a new chapter in the history of Lamborghini."
Drivetrain


Next to the impressive 700 HP V12 engine, the new supercar will also feature an innovative and highly sophisticated suspension concept. The first details of the concept reveal that the pushrod spring and damper was inspired by Formula 1 and adapted to a high-performance road-going vehicle, allowing it to handle better and be much more responsive. Next to this, the Aventador will also get an aluminum double wishbone suspension and a carbon ceramic brake system. The spring elements are not located on the wheel mounts, but connected inboard to the bodyshell structure. They are transversely positioned: under the windscreen in the front and close to the engine in the rear. Also at the front axle are shock absorbers that come equipped with a hydraulic lifting system enabling the front end of the super sports car to be lifted by 40 millimeters at the touch of a button. When driving a Lamborghini through any parking lot with speed-bumps you will immediately recognize the convenience and need for a system that lifts the front end.
A new and innovative steering wheel system will also make it into the Aventador. The system has the ability to think its way through a bend adhering to the perfect line. This could be similar to the McLaren MP 4-12C brake steer system that will debut this month. It, in conjunction with a dozen computer systems, analyzes how the driver has entered a curve and adjusts steering inputs and braking to help the car maintain a more efficient line.
Pricing

No word yet on when the car is going to make its long-awaited debut, although we figure that it would be a best guess to expect the Aventador to be introduced sometime early next year, possibly during the Geneva Motor Show. Preorders are already being taken with price tags starting at $350,000.
Competition

If and when the Lamborghini Aventador is released – teaser images have pointed to a 2012 launch date – it’s a pretty safe bet that it’s going to go head-to-head with a number of other new exotics, with the most notable of which being the Ferrari 599 GTO. Numbers aren’t too far from each other with the Aventador’s 700 horsepower, 2.9-second 0-60 mph time, and 217 mph top speed going up against the 599 GTO’s 670 horsepower, 3.3-second 0-60 mph time, and 208 mph top speed time.
With the specs of these two Italian thoroughbreds closely similar to each other, it should make for a nice comparison test between the two. Sure, we’re going to have to wait until Lamborghini officially introduces the Aventador for that to happen, but we’re pretty confident that at some point, it’s going to.
Lamborghinis and Ferraris will always be interlinked with each other so bragging rights between the 599 GTO and the soon-to-be-released Aventador LP700-4 should still make for a very interesting comparison test. Other companies will be having there chance to take a shot at this raging bull including Pagani and McLaren. Many people know little about these companies, but they produce some of the baddest sports cars on the planet. Their most recent models have pushed the limits of engineering and manufacturing and the newest models will be more than light competition for the Lamborghini. The McLaren already promises similar performance from a smaller and more economical twin-turbo V8 engine. The Pagani will be utilizing an AMG V12 like the past models and have a peak output close to the new Lamborghini. In a perfect world, we would love to see these four new cars on one track at the same time to duel it out for bragging rights.

Carbon Fiber Richness
V12 with 700hp
Lamborghini Good Looks with Aggressive Edge

We’ll get back to you on this when Lamborghini officially unveils it.
-
Press release
Lamborghini’s Geneva motor show launch of its Murciélago replacement promises an extraordinary new technology-driven super sports car. One significant feature will be the extensive use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) technology throughout the car, and in particular, in the entirely carbon fiber composite monocoque.

The cell of the future Lamborghini flagship super sports car is made entirely from carbon fiber and has been designed as a monocoque structure. The load-bearing structure of the vehicle is engineered as a “single shell” that functions physically as one component, thus taking full advantage of the extreme rigidity of CFRP. Formula 1 race cars have been built using CFRP monocoques for many years – and have proven their crash worthiness time and again. The same applies to road-going sports cars featuring monocoque technology – the carbon fiber occupant cell functions like an extremely safe roll cage.


Construction offer many advantages

Of course, the term “single shell” applies only in the descriptive sense – the new Lamborghini monocoque is made from a series of individual parts with specific functions, such as stiffening elements made from Braiding technology, that is one of the best technology to manage energy adsorption in case of crash. After the curing process, however, this structure functions as a single component – including the base section known as the tub and the complete roof.

The full monocoque solution offers advantages which other processes, like a tub where a metal roof structure is attached in a conventional manner, cannot realize. That’s why Lamborghini made the no compromise choice of the full monocoque, which weighs only 147.5 kilograms (324.5 lbs).

Extremely rigid construction

Superior passive safety is only one benefit of the extreme rigidity of a full carbon fiber monocoque - very high torsional rigidity is another. The monocoque is connected at the front and rear with equally rigid aluminum sub-frames, on which the suspension, engine and transmission are mounted.

The entire body-in-white of the future V12 model weighs only 229.5 kilograms (505 lbs) and boasts phenomenal torsional rigidity of 35,000 Newton meters per degree of twist. This guarantees a superb feeling of solidity, but, more importantly, extremely exact wheel control with excellent steering precision and sensitive feedback. For the dedicated driver, both are essential for truly enticing driving pleasure. The new Lamborghini flagship responds to the most minute steering input with the stunning precision of a perfectly balanced race car.

Depending on the form, function and requirements of the individual elements, the Lamborghini development team selected from three main CFRP manufacturing methods within its technology tool kit. They differ not only in their production processes, but also in the type of carbon fiber and its weave and, most importantly, in the chemical composition of the synthetic resin used.

Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM): In this process the carbon fiber mats are preformed and impregnated with an exact amount of resin. Afterwards, they are cured under heat while the part is in the mold. Lamborghini has achieved a major breakthrough by further developmening this method. Using the patented “RTM-Lambo” process, the final mold is no longer a heavy, complex metal piece, but is made instead from lightweight carbon-fiber parts, thus making the manufacturing process faster, more flexible and more efficient.
An additional benefit of the RTM-Lambo process is the low injection pressure that doesn’t require expensive equipment.


Prepreg – The carbon fiber mats used in this method, commonly known as prepreg, are pre-injected by the supplier with a thermosetting liquid resin and must be stored at a low temperature. The mats are then laminated in molds and cured under heat and pressure in an autoclave. Prepreg components are complex to make, but have an extremely high-quality surface finish (Class-A surface quality) and are therefore the preferred option for use in visible locations.

Braiding – These components are manufactured by using RTM technology. This carbon fiber weave technology is derived from the textile industry and used to make tubular components for special applications such as structural roof pillars and rocker panels. The woven components are made by diagonally interweaving the fiber in several layers.

The monocoque of the new V12 super sports car is constructed using these technologies applied in a series of special processes. One significant advancement Lamborghini realized is the ability to use already-assembled monocoque elements as the mold for the next step in the process. This makes for a considerable simplification of the manufacturing process compared with conventional methods.

Epoxy foam components are also used within the monocoque. They are placed in strategic points to increase the stiffness of the monocoque by working as spacers between the composite layers while also dampening noise and vibration. In addition, aluminum inserts are laminated into the front and rear surfaces to facilitate connection with the aluminum front and rear sub-frame elements.

Because of the complexity of the materials and process outlined above, Lamborghini decided to produce its new monocoque completely in-house, managing one strategic step in the production process.

Quality control is an absolutely crucial factor – every single monocoque is measured to exacting tolerances of only 0.1 millimeters, facilitating the extreme precision of the overall vehicle. Quality control starts with the purchase of the carbon fiber parts. Every delivery of carbon fiber is certified and the material is checked regularly for compliance with quality standards. Lamborghini worked together with its suppliers to develop a world-exclusive fiber and resin system for its RTM technology. Ultimately, these materials and processes constitute an important part of Lamborghini’s worldwide leading expertise in the field.

Carbon composite materials - A key technology for tomorrow’s high-performance automotive engineering

These materials made from CFRP combine the lowest possible weight with excellent material characteristics – they are very light, extremely rigid and exceptionally precise.

Furthermore, CFRP materials can also be formed into highly complex components with integrated functions. This reduces the number of individual parts when compared to traditional metal construction – thus enabling further weight reduction. Lighter cars have lower fuel consumption and fewer CO2 emissions. Most significantly, however, it improves the power-to-weight ratio – the deciding factor in the overall feel and performance of a sports car. A super sports car built using CFRP accelerates faster, has superior handling and better braking.