Records are meant to be broken, and Lamborghini have done it!
The Aventador SVJ has smashed the Porsche 911 GT2 RS' Nürburgring lap record by over 2 seconds. The new lap record for production cars at the 'Green Hell' now stands at 6:44.95. It also beat the 6:45.90 set by the all-electric Nio EP9 supercar.
The Aventador SVJ completed the challenge with factory driver Marco Mapelli at the helm, running on Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres, which will apparently be offered as an option alongside the P Zero Corsa. Fitted with cameras inside and out and full telemetry, under the formal scrutiny of Remak personnel who managed time and GPS certification using VBOX-Racelogic instrumentation, the lap attempt of the Aventador SVJ was performed during an exclusive session at the Nürburgring.
It’s also been disclosed that the 6.5-litre V12 Aventador SVJ produces 566kw and 720nm - 15kw more than the Aventador SV, and combined with the weight-to-power ratio of 1.98 kg/hp (versus 2.03 kg per hp for the SV), this means that the new Aventador SVJ tips the scales at just 1,524kg.
However, as much as much of its performance improvement over the SV can be attributed to a bump in power and a lighter curb weight, the reality is that the majority of its gains come courtesy of Lamborghini’s ALA 2.0 active aerodynamics system with aero vectoring, which the Italian supercar maker says guarantees the best handling and downforce. The set-up of the Aventador SVJ has been entirely re-engineered to enhance its four-wheel drive system, rear-wheel steering and ESC. Significantly stiffer than the SV, the steering has been retuned in the SVJ.
In 2015 the Aventador LP 750-4 SV delivered a sub-seven minute lap time, and in 2016 the Huracán Performante took the Nürburgring Nordschleife production car record, with a lap time of 6:52.01, which it held until September 2017. In roughly two years, the record has tumbled by 10 seconds — a massive leap in the automotive performance world.
Stefano Domenicali, Lamborghini's CEO said: "The Aventador SVJ takes the Jota suffix, following the Lamborghini tradition for denoting a car’s track-focused talent. This new car is the convergence of Lamborghini technologies to produce a super sports car that transcends current performance benchmarks."
The SVJ represents the final send off for the Aventador and stands for Super Veloce Jota. The Jota name, last seen on the Diablo SE30, represents Lamborghini’s second Aventador-based tribute to the Miura, after the limited-edition Miura Homage launched back in 2016.
The Aventador SVJ will be officially unveiled at the Monterey Car Week next month.
Also worth a look: the The 80s are back: Lamborghini unveils new Countach LPI800-4 and the Lamborghini announces its first fully electric vehicle .
FAQ
Q: What does the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ cost in South Africa?
The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ carries a hefty price tag of around R8,500,000 in South Africa, making it one of the most expensive supercars you can buy locally.
Q: Is the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ worth buying?
If you've got R8.5 million burning a hole in your pocket and want the ultimate track-focused supercar that holds the Nürburgring lap record, then absolutely, but it's definitely not a daily driver proposition.
Q: How fast is the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ?
The Aventador SVJ rockets from 0-100kph in just 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 350kph, thanks to its 566kW naturally aspirated V12 engine.
Q: What makes the Aventador SVJ different from the regular Aventador?
The SVJ gets 15kW more power than the SV at 566kW, weighs just 1,524kg, and features Lamborghini's advanced ALA 2.0 active aerodynamics system that helps it dominate on track.
Q: Should I buy the Aventador SVJ or wait for the next Lamborghini flagship?
The SVJ is likely the last naturally aspirated V12 Lamborghini flagship before electrification takes over, so if you want that pure petrol experience and can afford the R8.5 million, don't wait.
Should You Buy It?
The best track-focused supercar under R10 million in South Africa is undoubtedly the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ at R8,500,000. This isn't just another pretty face, it's a proper Nürburgring record holder that'll leave most other supercars eating dust. With 566kW from that screaming V12 and active aero wizardry, it's an absolute weapon on track. However, unless you've got serious cash and access to a racetrack, you're probably better off with something more practical. But if money's no object and you want the ultimate petrol-powered Lambo before they all go hybrid, buy it now.
