World’s most exclusive car debuts at Geneva

Fairfax NZ News: Lamborghini has unveiled the world’s most exclusive model, a one-off convertible that will go to a single lucky customer.

The new car, a lightweight convertible version of the $750,000 Aventador supercar, has no windscreen, no roof, no air-conditioning and no car radio, as part of a radical plan to reduce weight.

Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann poses next to the Lamborghini Aventador car during the first media day of the Geneva Auto Show at the Palexpo in Geneva, 6 March 2012. The Geneva Auto Show will take place from 8 to 18 March 2012. REUTERS

The Italian maker is referring to it officially as the J, but it harks back to the Jota supercar, a one-off version of the Muira supercar built in the 1970s. That car also went to a single owner, who destroyed it in a fiery crash in the Italian town of Brescia.

Lamborghini hasn’t identified the owner or revealed a price tag for the supercar, but it will be handed over after it has taken its place on the company’s stand at the Geneva motor show.

The car is made of a new carbon fibre composite material called Carbonskin that is softer and more malleable than traditional carbon fibre, allowing designers to mould the body over the car’s components. The material, which is basically woven carbon fibre, is also used on the interior – including the seats – and Lamborghini says it could one day be used on high-end clothing.

The company recently formed a partnership with aircraft manufacturer Boeing to develop new generation carbon-fibre materials.

Although the company says the J is a one-off, it could be a forerunner to a production convertible version of the V12 Aventador, the company’s fastest and most expensive model.

With 515 kW under the bonnet, and a top-speed of more than 300kmh, the windscreen-less J will probably require helmets with visors for its occupants. Appropriately, in Spanish Aventador means fan or blower, although Lamborghini took the name of a prize-fighting bull.

“The occupants of the Aventador J are confronted by the element of the wind in much the same way as a superbike rider – therefore the right clothing is prerequisite for every trip,” according to the company’s blurb.

Lamborghini refers to the car as “an absolute one-off: a one-of-a-kind piece of art,” a piece of art funded by a wealthy benefactor.

“With the Lamborghini Aventador J, we have moulded our brand DNA into its most definitive form to date. This automobile is as extreme and as uncompromising as only a Lamborghini can be,” Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, said in a statement.

“The new Lamborghini Aventador J is the most radical open supersports car of Lamborghini’s history. Its name comes from our tradition and combines an unconventional design with technology innovation.”

“Nowadays we are confronted with several regulations that we face in the spirit of challenge. The Aventador J is the proof that, despite the rules, Lamborghini will always make people dream, even in the future.”

The letter J refers to the Appendix J, the specification of race cars under FIA world motor sport rules.

The car retains the Aventador’s scissor doors, and gets a massive fixed spoiler on the rear. Another highlight is the transparent engine cover that allows car pervs to see the 6.5-litre V12 in all its glory.

Lamborghini’s press blurb says the owner is guaranteed absolute exclusivity.

“There is only one of them, no prototypes and no others for the Lamborghini Museum. The buyer can look forward to a truly unique, street-legal work of art. He will possess the most extreme expression of Lamborghini DNA in existence and a real masterpiece of high technology.”

But it ends with a hint that a more common convertible edition of the Aventador may yet find its way to showrooms.

“The many other fans of the super sports cars from Sant’ Agata Bolognese can rest assured - the Aventador success story has only just begun.”