Ultra Lambo

Nov 4 2009 Maurice Glover

Ultra Lambo

IT has menacing power, uncompromising performance and costs a cool 1.1 million plus taxes.

But you're unlikely ever to spot this new Lamborghini in a car park or out on the open road because fewer than 20 are due to be built and an order has been placed for each example.

One of the most exclusive limited edition cars ever, the Reventon is available only to 'friends' and collectors of the Italian supercar brand.

'This is the most extreme car in the history of the brand and it adds an extra emotional component to our combined technological expertise. We have created it to unite superior performance with the sensual fascination of open-top driving,' says Automobili Lamborghini president and CEO Stephan Winkelmann.

With a 6.5-litre, twelve-cylinder motor generating a massive 670PS, the two-seater catapults from standstill to 62mph in a breathtaking 3.4 seconds and surges on to a top speed of 205mph.

In classic Lamborghini style, the aluminium engine is mounted longitudinally in front of the rear axle, with the six-speed sequential transmission ahead of it beneath the centre tunnel. The layout means 58 percent of overall weight is borne by the rear wheels - ideal for a powerful sports car.

A permanent all-wheel drive system is used to cope with the enormous power output. Under normal conditions, it sends most of the driving force to the rear wheels, but if they begin to spin, the central viscous coupling sends up to 35 per cent of the power via an additional shaft to the front axle.

Inside, the car has aircraft-style digital instrumentation with changing colour graphics. Mounted at the top of the dash panel is a G-force meter to measure the forces acting on the Reventon under acceleration, braking and heavy cornering.