We were introduced to the Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 last July, right after we met the just-as-insane Lamborghini Sian. The Sian was for the road, while the Essenza is for super-rich guys who can afford to pay for a car and let Lamborghini keep it, only to be used on racetracks at special events. As our moms used to say, "must be nice."

As the name states, the Essenza sports a naturally aspirated V12 set behind the driver, making more than 830 hp. Only 40 will be made. But today we're focusing on the FIA Hypercar-class carbon fiber roll cage. The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile is the governing body for the highest levels of racing. Think F1 and endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"The Essenza SCV12 was born as a 'laboratory of ideas'. This allowed us to use technical solutions usually found in racing prototypes, such as the suspension installed directly on the load-bearing gearbox, which is an innovative solution for a GT car," said Giorgio Sanna, head of motorsport. "In addition, it features the new carbon fiber monocoque chassis without a steel roll cage, resulting from technical collaboration with the FIA, thanks to which we've started a process that will lead to an exponential improvement in safety for GT racing drivers in the future."

The chassis are built at Lamborghini's CFK Department in Sant'Agata Bolognese, the same location as the Lamborghini Aventador's chassis. Testing involves both static and dynamic routines, and Lamborghini's race team modified a production chassis to ace the test. Lamborghini says the carbon fiber monocoque was reinforced in several areas, "having to withstand forces of more than 12 tons without presenting deformations."

Other static tests are involved with the seatbelt, pedals and fuel tanks. The dynamic crash tests are done at 14 meters per second, about 31 mph. In those crashes there must not be any intrusions of elements that could contact the driver. And the fuel must stay in place. Lamborghini says that using this carbon chassis, in addition to laminated foam inside, allowed more cockpit space for the driver.

Lamborghini won't take this car racing, at least not for a few years.

"It is a very exclusive track day only car. But with this product we are showing that we have the knowhow and technology to build a racing prototype that's FIA-approved," the company told us.

The first units of $3.5 million Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 were delivered to customers in April 2021, and the dedicated program of track events will start at the end of June.