Lamborghini has celebrated the 10,000th Aventador built since its first reveal nine years ago – it’s an SVJ Roadster in Grigio Acheso destined for Thailand.
The 10’000th Lamborghini Aventador to be completed. Credit: Lamborghini
The team at the Lamborghini factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese has put the finishing touches on the 10,000th Aventador to be built. Produced over the last nine years, the Aventador has seen several different models as part of its life-cycle including the Aventador Roadster, Aventador J, Aventador Miura Homage, Aventador S, and the Aventador SVJ.
Destined for the Thai market, the special vehicle that lays claim to chassis number 10,000 is an Aventador SVJ Roadster in Grigio Acheso (grey) with a Rosso Alala (red) Ad Personam interior and livery details in Rosso Mimir (red).
A Brief History of the Aventador
First introduced in 2011, the Aventador LP 700-4 (coupe) is a single shell carbon fiber monocoque structure that combines the cockpit, floor, and roof into a single structure and was designed to hold the new high-performance V12 engine developed especially for the model.
A year later, the Roadster version of the Aventador was revealed, featuring a carbon-fiber roof consisting of two extremely lightweight panels to ensure the vehicle remained lightweight and agile on the road.
Also revealed in 2012 was a unique one-off model known as the Aventador J for an enthusiast who collects unique “works of art.” A rare sighting for car-spotters, the Aventador J is an “open” two-seater super sports car that does away with the roof and the standard windscreen much like the later released Ferrari Monza SP2 or McLaren Elva and can reach a top speed in excess of 186mph (300km/h).
The 2012 “one-off” Lamborghini Aventador J created for an art collecting client. Credit: Lamborghini
In 2016 Lamborghini revealed the Aventador Miura Homage, a special series limited to only 50 vehicles to pay tribute to the Miura, celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The 2016 Lamborghini Aventador Miura Homage. Credit: Lamborghini
The Lamborghini Aventador S soon followed closely after, featuring a new aerodynamic design, new suspension, and a more powerful 6.5-liter V12 engine with 40 horsepower more than the previous version – bringing the total power output to 740HP. The Aventador S also saw the introduction of the new EGO driving mode (to the current STRADA, SPORT, and CORSA modes), which allows the driver to fully customize their driving choices, including steering, suspension, and traction settings.
The Lamborghini Aventador S with a more powerful engine. Credit: Lamborghini
By 2018 the team at Lamborghini had developed the track-focused Aventador SVJ (Superveloce Jota). Limited to only 900 vehicles, the SVJ features new aerodynamically designed elements, including a disconnected “floating” front splitter, a three-dimensional air intake on the hood that directs the airflow, and a rear spoiler designed to achieve the best aerodynamic efficiency. A new front bumper with integrated side fins features a new air intake and highlights the inclusion of the Lamborghini’sLamborghini’s ALA system (Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva), which works to direct the airflow to improve cornering and braking.
The record breaking Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. Credit: Lamborghini
True to its intent, the Aventador SVJ also set a record for the fastest production vehicle on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife track in Germany, completing the 20.6km lap in just 6:44:97. A special edition of the Aventador SVJ was later released as the “SVJ 63” (60 editions) to pay tribute to the year Lamborghini was founded in 1963.
Street artist Skyler Grey going over the artwork completed on an Aventador S model. Credit: Lamborghini
According to Lamborghini, “The Aventador S by Skyler Grey had already been purchased by an art collector and was the first Lamborghini to be certified via innovative blockchain technology. The car is part of the pilot project “Lamborghini Sicura,” launched in collaboration with Salesforce and aimed at protecting the car as a work of art. It involves a process of authenticity certification, which makes use of blockchain technology to guarantee data security and incorruptibility. The purpose of the protection system is to prevent counterfeiting, to trace and certify all the information related to the model and at the same time foster an increase in value for all the stakeholders.”
The Andy Warhol inspired Aventador S painted by Skyler Grey. Credit: Lamborghini
With the replacement for the Aventador still not yet released by Lamborghini, there will undoubtedly be more special release opportunities. Still, when the next generation is announced, there’s a strong chance it will adopt hybrid technology, but until then, the numbers will keep climbing for the Aventador V12 models.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Tempus Collection is inspired by the universe’s infinite reach and is limited to 20 vehicles worldwide.
The new limited edition Rolls-Royce Phantom Tempus. Credit: Rolls-Royce
The new Rolls-Royce Phantom “Tempus” is limited to 20 vehicles and is inspired by the concept of time and the infinite universe, with a special focus on a rare astronomical phenomenon known as a “pulsar.”
New “Kairos Blue” paint with mica flakes to represent the night sky. Credit: Rolls-Royce
Unknown and undiscovered until 1967, pulsars are found in the deepest reaches of space (the closest is still 1,680 trillion miles from Earth) and are dense, white-hot stars that emit electromagnetic radiation in regular pulses – making them some of the most accurate clocks in the universe.
Only 20 editions will be made. Credit: Rolls-Royce
In the Rolls-Royce Phantom Tempus, the pulsar features as a hand-painted and embroidered artwork across the Starlight Headliner, complete with twinkling fiber-optic lights to reflect the white-hot stars.
Starlight Headliner with hand-painted/embroidered Pulsar night sky design. Credit: Rolls-Royce
Another design element made to represent time is the “Frozen Flow of Time” gallery – a unique artwork built into the dashboard fascia and made of a single billet of aluminum milled to form 100 individual columns, representing the 100-million years it takes for a rotational spin of a pulsar star.
The Frozen Flow of Time gallery artwork. Credit: Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce has also deliberately removed the clock from this edition in the hope that from within the space they have created, “the outside world and all its pressures and demands are forgotten.”
A place with where time does not exist. Credit: Rolls-Royce
“The events of the past year have caused many people, not least our clients, to re-evaluate their sense of, and relationship with time. At a moment in history when so much in life seems ephemeral, our patrons are seeking solace in the unique timelessness, longevity and permanence offered by a Rolls-Royce motor car,” says Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
Starry light design across the door panels. Credit: Rolls-Royce
“As we all know, time never stands still, waits for no one. Hence, we manage it, guard it, account for it, weigh and measure it to its smallest fraction. With Phantom Tempus, we have created a space in which those structures no longer apply – as illustrated by the deliberate absence of a clock. Rolls-Royce clients are not bound by time; the outside world with all its pressures and demands are forgotten.”
The Rolls-Royce clock has been deliberately left out of the design. Credit: Rolls-Royce
For the exterior of the new Rolls-Royce Phantom Tempus, a new bespoke paint color known as “Kairos Blue” has been created especially for this model and includes mica flakes to make a slight sparkling effect that mimics the stars of the night sky.
Owners can also choose to personalize their vehicles one step further with a unique engraving on the Spirit of Ecstasy, choosing to remember a special date and location of significance to the client, a marriage, or a birthday.
Californian-based Gunther Werks has unveiled the open-top edition of its Porsche 993 Speedster Remastered built on the 400R platform.
The new Gunther Werks 993 Speedster Remastered Edition. Credit: Gunther Werks
Californian-based Gunther Werks are known for some of the world’s most refined 993 air-cooled restomod’s and have now turned their attention to the open-top 993 Speedster Remastered Edition.
Only 25 Speedster models will be built. Credit: Gunther Werks
To create the open-top version of their coupe design, Gunther Werks removed the rear seat and, in doing so, had to significantly re-design and stiffen the 993 chassis with a new roll cage and roll hoop system to mitigate common side effects often associated with the removal of vehicle roofs. Now in place of the rear seats is a new carbon-fiber top Speedster top and tonneau cover.
Rear seats removed and replaced with a new carbon-fiber top. Credit: Gunther Werks
Some of the extensive exterior modifications of the 993 Speedster include a lower rake glass windscreen (which owners can opt to remove entirely, much like the McLaren Elva or Ferrari Monza SP1/SP2), billet aluminum side view mirrors, additional carbon fiber aerodynamic elements and a revised ducktail spoiler with ram air scoop.
New lightweight bonnet design. Credit: Gunther Werks
Under the hood, performance upgrades include revised suspension to improve handling, and a remapped 4.0 liter flat-six engine rebuilt by Rothsport Racing to slightly boost the 435 hp and 335 lb-ft of torque already achieved in the Remastered coupe edition.
New roll-cage and roll hoop system have been implemented to strengthen the chassis. Credit: Gunther Werks
Owners will also have the option to upgrade to 5 spoke Fuch wheels with center locking mechanisms if several of the forged Gunther Werks wheel options don’t already catch their eye.
Production expected to begin 2022. Credit: Gunther Werks
Gunther Werks will only be producing 25 models of the 993 Speedster Remastered editions to match production of 25 coupe models already underway and is expected to begin production in 2022.
Netflix has announced the popular Formula 1 series Drive to Survive will return with Season 3 premiering on March 19 this year.
With the COVID-19 pandemic throwing a curveball on last year’s Formula 1 season, it was anyone’s guess whether racing, let alone filming of the next installment of the popular Netflix Drive To Survive series, would even go-ahead last year.
The excellent news for race-fans is that production company Box-to-Box Films and Netflix have both confirmed Drive To Survive will be returning to Netflix for Season 3, covering all the behind-the-scenes action and drama of the race season as it unfolds amongst a worldwide pandemic.
Most likely beginning with the last-minute cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix, it will be interesting to watch the driver’s and team’s reactions and responses as they navigate the best way to move forward through the “unprecedented” events caused by COVID-19.
Of course, other things we all want to know is what’s the latest with Guenther Steiner? What happened behind-closed-doors to see Carlos Sainz Jr take Sebastian Vettel’s spot at Ferrari? And how did Daniel Ricciardo end up at McLaren?
An additional video shared by Formula 1 broadcast journalist and reporter Will Buxton explains how you may have already spotted the Netflix film team throughout the season and explains some of the gear used to shoot the documentary and how they managed filming in the F1 paddock under Covid-19 restrictions.
Season 3 of Netflix’s Drive To Survive is set to premiere March 19 this year, and if it’s anything like last season, will drop all episodes at once for your binge-watching enjoyment.