If you prefer your Italian supercar motoring experience al fresco, but find the Ferrari 458 Italia just a bit too… common, take heed: Lamborghini has just announced a roadster variant of its most impressive raging bull, the Aventador. Like it’s coupe sibling, the Aventador LP700-4 Roadster sports a 6.5-liter V-12, rated at 700 horsepower and driving all four wheels for traction. The combination is good enough to produce a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 3.0 seconds, as well as a top speed of 217 mph.
2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster – image: Lamborghini
The Aventador Roadster sports a two-tone paint scheme, with a main body color and a gloss black A-pillar, roof and C-pillar for contrast. Unlike the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, the Aventador’s two-piece roof panel can be stored on the car, broadening the range of top-down driving. For the full effect, the rear window can be dropped as well, allowing passengers to enjoy wind in their hair and the song of the meaty V-12 behind them. There’s a front-mounted, detachable wind deflector, too, so occupants can dial in just the right amount of cockpit turbulence.
2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster – image: Lamborghini
Like the hard-top version, the Aventador Roadster is a kinder, gentler supercar, too. Cylinder deactivation ensures that as little fuel as possible is used at highway speeds, while a Stop & Start system relies on supercap high-performance capacitors to refire the engine as soon as the light goes green. Carbon fiber and carbon composites are used extensively in the car’s construction ensuring that the Roadster is as light and nimble as possible.
2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster – image: Lamborghini
There’s no word yet on when deliveries will begin, but Lamborghini dealers worldwide will open their order books immediately. While U.S. pricing has yet to be announced, buyers in Europe can expect to pay 300,000 euros ($381,210) for the privilege of parking an Aventador Roadster in their garage.
2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster – image: Lamborghini
2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster – image: Lamborghini
2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster – image: Lamborghini
2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster – image: Lamborghini
2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster – image: Lamborghini
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
