Topless Veneno

Lamborghini to build nine open-top versions of its crazy 740bhp,£2.8 million special.

It felt like something was missing at the recent Frankfurt motor show. The Lamborghini stand didn’t feature one of the ultra-limited ‘specials’ that have become one of the brand’s hallmarks. The ones that draw crowds five deep and steal the headlines.

   

   

It had originally been planned to have one of these – the Veneno Roadster – in Germany, but the company changed its mind, not wanting to distract attention from the Gallardo Squadra Corse. Which it would have done. Indeed, you could park the Veneno Roadster next to a solid gold Bugatti Veyron and safely expect the outrageous Lambo to win most of the attention.

This car, an open version of the equally barking Veneno that we saw at the Geneva show in March, but without evena temporary roof to protect you from the rain, is as gloriously mad as you’d expect a Lambo ‘special’ to be.

If you’re tempted then Lamborghini will be selling nine examples, priced at £2.8million each before local taxes.

Much of the Roadster is predictably similar to the Veneno. Despite the ultra-limited production numbers, its styling is the result of extensive wind-tunnel time, with the shape of the nose designed to work like an enormous wing element. The underbody is completely smooth and the combination of a motorsport-spec adjustable rear wing and a sizeable rear diffuser will push and pull the car onto the road respectively.

   

 

 

Pretty much the whole structure is made from carbonfibre, with carbon body panels mounted to a monocoque made from the same material.

The car’s pushrod suspension is a development of that on the Aventador, as is the mid-mounted 6.5-litre V12, which produces 740bhp – a 50bhp increase over the Aventador. Power is supplied to all four wheels through a single-clutch seven-speed automated transmission, and we’re told the car weighs 1490kg ‘dry’,the 40kg increase over the coupe put down to extra structural reinforcement.

Despite the difference in mass, Lamborghini claims the two cars are identically fast, sharing a 2.9sec 0-62mph time and 221mph top speed (this without a roof, remember). The cabin is even trimmed in a lightweight material called Carbon Skin to trim weight further. The colour in these images is a unique red called Rosso Veneno, but buyers will be able to choose any paint colour they want.

The decision to more than double the production of the Roadster over the coupe is an indication of how important Lambo’s ‘special cars’ are becoming. The programme began because of CEO Stephan Winkelmann’s desire to produce something more relevant than pure motor show concepts – leading in 2007 to the spectacular Reventón. But it quickly became obvious that there was demand for these ultra-rare models from rich collectors.

   

Winkelmann admitted to us that the limited production of the Veneno coupe meant he had to turn down two potential orders on the stand at Geneva. Which is presumably why there will be nine roadsters.

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