Named after a massive 1,118-pound Spanish fighting bull, Lamborghini’s Aventador SVJ is a force to be reckoned with. This exotic vehicle is aptly named, with SV standing for superveloce, or superfast. It also carries the J for the jota designation to denote its track and performance superiority, having recently claimed the Nürburgring production car record. Yet, unlike most supercars that can only be truly enjoyed on the nicest of days and rubber-friendly roads, Lamborghini’s sophisticated all-wheel-drive system ensures this Aventador is as perfect a companion on a beautiful fall day as it is in the dead of winter. This everyday supercar, however, is anything but mundane, eliciting countless spontaneous photo requests no matter where it goes.
The heart of the Aventador SVJ is in the back, where a mighty 6.5-liter V-12 engine is never at rest, pumping out a massive 770 horsepower. Mated to an independent shifting rod 7-speed transmission that’s capable of 50-millisecond gearshifts, the Aventador SVJ screams from 0 to 62 mph in only 2.8 seconds. In addition, the supercar emits an unforgettable sound, rivaled only by a Formula One race car flying down the straight at Indianapolis.
Lamborghini worked extensively to tune the Aventador SVJ for maximum agility and superior driving dynamics. A special four-wheel steering system lends uncanny agility on and off the racetrack. At low speeds, the rear wheels face in opposite directions on a corner, thereby requiring a lighter steering input for improved performance through curves or in tight spaces. At higher speeds, the front and rear wheels share the same steering angle, which has the effect of essentially extending the wheelbase to improve stability. Further defying physics is Lamborghini’s new active aerodynamics system, which uses electrical actuators to constantly optimize the vehicle’s aerodynamics by adjusting flaps and spoilers based on the current driving conditions.
Inside, the Aventador SVJ feels like a fighter jet cockpit. Aviation-inspired toggle switches control everything from the lights to the windows, while a brilliant flip-up red cover reveals the engine start-stop button underneath. Like the allglass cockpits of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, the Aventador SVJ features a new customizable instrument cluster, which changes depending on the four drive modes selected. Buyers can also completely customize the interior of their exotic marvel—right down to the stitch patterns on the seats, with Lamborghini’s Ad Personam personalization program. With a limited production of 900 units, the new Aventador SVJ is destined to be a collectors’ item, even with its $517,770 starting price.
