With the launch of Lamborghini's first hybrid super sports car just a few weeks away, the company is giving its much-loved, naturally aspirated V12 petrol engine a very Lamborghini-ish send-off. Two special cars, dubbed Invencible and Autentica, have been commissioned to showcase the power of the V12 engine and Lamborghini's bespoke personalisation capabilities.
Circuit-inspired design
Both cars are based on the same carbon-fibre monocoque as the Aventador, but that is dressed in full carbon bodywork that incorporates design aspects tested on the race track. Up front, there are air intakes reminiscent of those on the old Sesto Elemento, while the back of the car features a central triple exhaust with tips made from Inconel, a special high-performance steel alloy derived from the aerospace industry.
The Invencible coupe is marked out by its roof, red paint, carbon door sills, and frames. Red brake callipers and single-nut wheels with carbon-fibre fairings complement that eye-catching design. The convertible Autentica is finished in Grigio Titans with matt black details and yellow accents, which pick out the front splitter and motorsport-derived rear wing that optimises the aerodynamic load and is flanked by a pair of fins.
"We have created two one-off cars with their own unique character, inspired by track days and the high-octane circuit environment," said Mitja Borkert, Lamborghini's design boss. "They are designed by Lamborghini Centro Stile, exerting maximum creativity on the V12 platform. These one-off designs draw on our unique design DNA while once again elevating our design heritage to a new level."
Colour-coded interiors
Inside, the Invencible contrasts red leather and black Alcantara, mirroring the exterior finish, while there's personalised embroidery in Rosso Alala and Nero Ade. There's a red Lamborghini logo on the dashboard, while red also appears on the gearshift paddles and the steering wheel. And, of course, Italian flags are represented in hexagonal tricolours on the doors and steering wheel.
Similarly, the Autentica's cabin reflects its grey-and-yellow exterior, with three different upholsteries united by yellow stitching. Alongside the Nero Cosmus and Grigio Octans Alcantara, there's Nero Ade leather upholstery.
Last of the V12s
The Invencible and Auténtica are "the very last" Lamborghini cars to be produced with a 6.5-litre V12 engine mounted longitudinally behind the driver and passenger seats before the transition to hybrid power begins. The last hurrah for the V12 engine produces 780hp and 720Nm of torque, which it sends to all four wheels via a seven-speed gearbox. It also comes with the Lamborghini Dynamic Steering system, which controls the front and rear wheels.
"The V12 engine is one of the pillars of our history and our marque's success," said Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini's chairman and CEO. "As we head towards embracing a new era of hybridization at the heart of our Cor Tauri strategy, this is the Lamborghini way of celebrating the naturally aspirated V12 with two one-off vehicles that perfectly represent our concept of excellence in personalization."