GENEVA: The latest to come out of Lamborghini is sitting pretty on its stand at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
The Centenario was created to celebrate the centenary of founder Ferruccio Lamborghini’s birth. Only 20 coupé and 20 roadster versions of the super car will be produced and all 40 cars are already sold, at a starting price of 1.75 million euros plus tax (RM8mil).
Using the V12 architecture, the Centenario’s naturally aspirated engine produces 770hp and powers from 0-100kph in 2.8 seconds, and from 0-300kph in 23.5 seconds with a top speed of more than 350kph. Braking from 100kph to standstill is achieved in 30 metres. A monocoque and body in full carbon fibre provide a low weight of 1,520 kg and a weight to power ratio of just 1.97 kg/hp.
Shown here in an entirely carbon fibre finish, clients can specify their Centenario to include exposed carbon fibre or any colour and finish from Lamborghini’s Ad Personam personalisation programme.
The car’s aerodynamic design includes an extending rear wing providing more downforce at high speeds. The introduction of rear-wheel steering provides increased agility and stability, and an innovative touchscreen provides connected infotainment, including internet browsing and Apple CarPlay.
A mono line from front to back defines the recognisable Lamborghini contours, with long, low overhangs front and rear creating a clean, sensuous, mono-body shape. The Centenario measures 4.924 m long and 1.143 m high. Aerodynamic inlets made of several fins characterise both front and rear. Large air scoops in the front bonnet, while reminiscent of 1970s sports cars, are there to funnel air through the car’s front contributing to downforce on the front axle.
Air also flows through ducts within the front headlight casing and others in the sideskirts and around the wheel arches, improving the airflow to the rear radiators and providing optimised cooling. The roof including air scoops, takes its styling from aeronautic cues, enhanced by a hexagonal carbon fibre and glass engine cover.
The body of the Centenario is in a gloss carbon fibre. The front bonnet, scissor door panels (always reserved for V12 models) and roof line are aerodynamic: the lower parts in matt carbon fibre are designed to be aerodynamic comprising front splitter, side skirts, wheel arches and rear diffuser.
The irregular wheel arches, both front and rear, are a defining feature of the Centenario, as they have been in other Lamborghini models. Accented in matt carbon fibre and concealing airflow ducts, they highlight the aerodynamic design of the car.
The profile of the rear wheel arch accentuates the Centenario’s rear-wheel steering. Pirelli PZero tyres, developed for the rear-wheel steering, sit on exclusive 20”/21” front/rear rims in forged and milled aluminium. The spokes’ fan shape, accented in carbon fibre, mask ducts extracting hot air from the carbon ceramic brakes, finished with a central-locking wheel nut sporting the Lamborghini bull logo.
The integrated rear diffuser dominates the back of the car, its size optimising air flow distribution, maximising the car’s downforce.
Like many mechanical parts around the car, exposed to maximise heat exchange, the rear tyres are visible, while floating in the void above the diffuser are the Centenario’s ‘Y’-shaped rear lights. The LED lights stretch the full width of the rear.
An extendable rear wing is integrated in body when stationary or at low speeds to preserve the minimalist lines of the car. According to vehicle dynamic conditions and Driving Mode chosen, the wing extends to 150mm and rotates up to 15 degrees for optimal aerodynamic efficiency when driven fast.
With permanent four-wheel drive, the Centenario adopts a new Lamborghini rear-wheel steering system. At low speeds the rear tires turn in the opposite direction of the steering angle which leads to a virtual reduction of the wheelbase. This provides increased turning agility at low speeds, requiring less steering angle and a reduced turning radius.
At high speeds, the rear tyres turn in the same direction of the steering angle which leads to a virtual increase of the wheelbase. As a result the rear-wheel steering provides increased stability and optimises vehicle response. In the three Lamborghini driving modes, Strada, Sport and Corsa, the rear-wheel steering heightens the characteristics of each, particularly in lateral dynamics.
The Centenario is fitted with Lamborghini’s magneto rheological suspension and Lamborghini Dynamic Steering (LDS), especially tuned for the Centenario’s rear-wheel steering and providing optimal responsiveness and driver feedback.
Transmission is via Lamborghini’s Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) gearbox, providing a lightweight solution to achieving the fastest gearshifts possible.
The luxurious interior can be finished to each Centenario client’s specification. Sports seats in lightweight carbon fibre are included, with new stitching that features on the length of the dashboard, steering wheel, sun visors, rocker covers, and the new inner door panels made of carbon fibre and Alcantara.
Functionality and connectivity are essential features of the Centenario. Including satellite navigation, a high definition 10.1 inch touchscreen connects the Centenario driver to both the car and the outside world.
Users may browse the Internet, connect to email and social media and use online applications such as web radio. Apple CarPlay is included, allowing a safe, effective way to make calls, request directions, play music and access the functionality of an iPhone.
The infotainment system includes a sophisticated telemetry function: the Centenario provides ultimate performance, both on road and, should an owner wish, on track: as evidenced by space for two helmets in the front trunk! The highly sophisticated telemetry allows speeds, times, lateral and G forces to be recorded and even compared between different occasions and different drivers. Two optional interior cameras allow the drivers’ experiences to be recorded.
The Centenario continues Lamborghini’s strategy of producing one-off cars and exclusive limited editions, which began with the Reventón and included the Sesto Elemento, Aventador J and Veneno.
“The Centenario is a car that perfectly combines tradition and innovation. It looks to the future while honouring the legend that is Ferruccio Lamborghini,” said Lamborghini president and CEO Stephan Winkelmann.
“The Centenario is an opportunity for our designers and engineers to transcend some of the constraints of series car production to achieve an incomparable result: the Centenario has immediately proved itself as a desirable collectors’ car, while demonstrating new Lamborghini technologies and outstanding performance. It is the most fitting tribute to Ferruccio Lamborghini in his centenary year: a man who created an exceptional brand, believed that anything was possible, and produced extraordinary, iconic cars. The Centenario is a super sports car for Ferruccio Lamborghini and the future he and we believe in today.”
