All good things must come to an end. But as one era ends, another begins. This is exactly Lamborghini's current situation. The days of the non-electrified, naturally-aspirated V12 engine are running low but the Italian supercar company decided a final hurrah was necessary. After all, it's been building these engines since 1963.
Introducing the 2022 Lamborghini Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae Coupe, a 6.5-liter V12-powered, mid-engined and scissor-doored supercar that's the culmination of everything the Aventador has become over the last decade. Taking the best elements from the Aventador S and SVJ, the folks at Sant'Agata wanted to ensure the Aventador Ultimae lives up to its name by becoming an instant icon.
Based on its power and performance specs, styling inside and out, and other impressive technologies, there's no doubt the Aventador is getting the sendoff it rightly deserves.
Designed For Aerodynamics
The Aventador Ultimae's exterior design remains largely unchanged from other Aventador variants, but there are some enhancements for improved aerodynamics. The new front splitter helps to redirect airflow and wide openings help keep the engine and radiator from overheating. Air ducts found on the front bumper and an additional side cooling inlet help cut down on aero interference from the front tires and advance wake flow to the rear radiator. The carbon fiber rear bumper comes from the track-focused Aventador SVJ. The Countach-inspired clean silhouette looks great and aids in aero as well.
The rear wing is another fine work of Italian art. Its active aero system is comprised of three self-explanatory positions: closed, maximum performance, and maximum handling. Each one is engaged according to the selected drive mode and speed.
Several new exterior color options are available, such as the two-tone, grey-on-grey shown here. Some cool additional touches include the front splitter and rear diffuser outlined in matt red Rosso Mimir. Additional color accents are found on the front bumpers and rear diffuser fins. The Silver Dianthus staggered 20- and 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero rubber are standard and can also be had in bronze, black, and titanium.
Familiar But Extra Special Interior
Lamborghini didn't completely redesign the Ultimae's interior because it didn't have to. The Aventador's interior layout has aged gracefully over the past decade and, like the rest of the car, shouldn't be messed with. But because this is a special car, designers have added some cool touches like the continuation of the two-tone color scheme from the exterior.
Black leather and Alcantara serve as the base materials and both receive grey stitching and "Y" seat inserts in black Alcantara. Buyers can further opt for a laser cut "Y" motif with contrast background color on the seats and dashboard. This is the first time Lamborghini has offered such a styling feature. Apple CarPlay is the only standard connectivity feature listed.
The driver's seat comes from the Aventador S and the "Ultimae" name is embroidered on the seat bolster. Looking up at the driver's side A-pillar reveals a numbered plaque signifying its limited production status.
Power And Performance
Like all Aventadors, the Ultimae has a naturally aspirated longitudinally positioned 6.5-liter V12 with 780 metric horsepower coupled with a seven-speed automatic sending power to all four wheels (hence LP 780-4 name). This translates to 769 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque - 39 hp and 10 hp more than the Aventador S and SVJ, respectively. Dry weight comes to 3,417 pounds thanks in part to the carbon-fiber monocoque structure and numerous lightweight body panels.
Lamborghini promises a 0-62 mph sprint time of only 2.8 seconds and 124 mph happens in 8.7 seconds. Top speed is an insane 220 mph. Concerned about stopping? No sweat because the powerful carbon-ceramic brakes are more than up for the task; 62 mph to 0 happens in just 98 feet.
Four-wheel steering first found on the Aventador S returns and provides agility at low and medium speeds and greater stability when going ultra-fast. Drivers have four driving modes to choose from: Strada, Sport, Corsa, and Ego. The latter enables drivers to choose their own steering, suspension, and traction settings.
Pricing And Competition
Let's be honest; there is no direct competition here. The Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae LP 780-4 Coupe is in a class all of its own, with the sole exception being its Roadster sibling. Those shopping for an ultra-high performing Italian supercar without the limited edition status can still get an Aventador S or a Ferrari 812 Superfast.
And speaking of limited edition, only 350 Ultimae coupes will be built. The Roadster will see 100 less roll off the assembly line. Pricing hasn't been announced but the SVJ, the outgoing top-dog Aventador, couldn't be had for anything less than $575,000. The Ultimae could very well be priced from around $600,000. Even so, interested buyers shouldn't hesitate because this thing will sell out extremely fast, if it hasn't already.
While it's tough to see the Aventador drive off into the Italian sunset for good, the Ultimae is one hell of a finale. But we can't wait to see what its successor has to offer.