Open-top flagship supercar gets some design tweaks, improved aerodynamics and power uprated to 740hp.
Is this a mid-life update for this Lambo?
Kind of, now that the Lamborghini Aventador Roadster is five years old in its current generation. The open-top flagship supercar now gains the S badge, similarly to what has happened when the fixed-top Aventador was updated last year.
The notable exterior design changes in the Roadster are like those applied in the coupe including chiseled air vents up front and exhaust pipes placed together in the middle of the rear end.
Likewise, the 6.5-litre normally aspirated V12, mated to the usual seven-speed single-clutch automatic and four-wheel-drive transmission, has been uprated from 700hp to 740hp.
The same goes for the chassis upgrades which consist of four-wheel-steering and active spoilers to help increase downforce by 130% over the preceding model.
But aren’t there more potent models?
Yes there are, but they were limited edition models like the Veneno, Centenario and SuperVeloce (SV). Unlike these three models, the Roadster S is a normal series production model, although clients can still individualise their cars under the brand's Ad Personam programme.
Although the Roadster S is some 50kg heavier, at 1,625kg, than the coupe, Lamborghini has tried its best to keep the weight penalty as minimal as possible. The removable carbonfibre roof, for one, weighs just 6kg and can be stored in the front luggage compartment.
Lamborghini says the Roadster S is a tenth-of-second slower than the coupe in the 0-100kph time. However, the 3.0sec record is still a fast time; the same goes for the 350kph top speed.
Does it have any direct rivals?
When it comes to a V12-powered mid-engined supercar, the Roadster S is still in a class of its own. But if it must be really compared with something, the closest ones would probably be the Ferrari F12 TRS and F60 America. But again, those two Fezzas were produced in extremely small numbers (one and 10, accordingly).
Costing around 40 million baht in Thailand, the Aventador Roadster S will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt motor show next week before deliveries begin in February next year.
