Used 2017 Lamborghini Aventador

More than a just a supercar, the 2017 Lamborghini Aventador is a “hypercar,” as in hyper fast, hyper beautiful and at over $400,000, hyper expensive. It’s also the Italian automaker’s flagship and a descendent of the brand’s legendary Miura and Countach, often considered the first cars of this type. Although many of Lambo’s competitors like Ferrari, Porsche and McLaren have turned to hybrid power for their top models, the new Lamborghini Aventador is powered by a mid-mounted, normally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine making up to 740 horsepower in the top-of-the line SV model. Made almost entirely from carbon fiber, the sexy 2-seater, which is available as an all-wheel-drive coupe or roadster, blasts from 0-60 mph in under 3.0 seconds, and can reach 217 mph.

Three things dominate the experience of driving a 2017 Lamborghini Aventador; speed, speed and speed. This is one of the quickest and fastest cars the world has ever seen and it likes to prove it. You can easily get a speeding ticket in first gear. Although the Aventador is equipped with an automatic transmission, you can change gears manually with its paddle shifters. A combination of launch control and simply nailing the accelerator pedal to the floor is also equally satisfying, as well as equally hard on your neck muscles. The g-forces this car generates are incredible. Acceleration from a standing start is jet-like. Placing the Drive Mode Select to the Road setting delivers the most comfortable driving experience with the least aggressive shifts. It’s almost mild enough for commuting. Almost. Slip into Sport mode or Corsa for track runs, and the Aventador roars to life and spits fire.

Getting into the untra-low Lambo isn’t all that easy, but once inside you’ll be impressed with the high build quality, solid ergonomics and extreme comfort. The soft Italian leather and mostly intuitive controls almost seem out of place in a car that puts such an emphasis on blowing your mind. Bright and attractive LCD gauges, and up-to-date convenience features like automatic climate control and a repurposed Audi multimedia system complement the beautifully sculpted and supportive bucket seats and prominent center console. But the best part is the missile launch-style red cover over the engine start button. It’s very Top Gun.

If a 1974 Lamborghini Countach and an F-22 Raptor woke up next to each other after partying all night in Vegas, the result would be the 2017 Aventador. The sleek profile, foot-wide rear Pirelli PZero tires, upswept rear diffuser, arrow-sharp LED taillights and large-bore center exhaust are all unmistakably Lamborghini. But the F-22’s influence is everywhere, from the jagged edges around the air intakes to the sharply angled nose. The Roadster version is barely distinguishable from the hardtop with the roof in place, and those panels remove and stow in the nose within a minute, once you’ve mastered the art.

IT DOESN’T DRIVE ITSELF
To buy a $400,000 700-horsepower exotic and have it drive itself would be simply sinful. Although this Italian superexotic is the brainchild of Germany’s Volkswagen Group, which owns Lamborghini, the Aventador is without any “self-driving” or autonomous systems such as radar cruise control or a pre-collision accident-avoidance system.

LAMBORGHINI DOORS
Lamborghini’s iconic scissor-style swing-up doors originated with the Aventador’s older brother, the Countach, which debuted in 1974. Sure, they look ridiculous on your buddy’s customized Honda Civic, but they are absolutely appropriate on this big-buck exotic. Pure theater, the doors only add to the Aventador’s appeal.

You’d expect a lot for your $400,000, and you’ll get it. There are power-adjustable leather seats, voice-activated phone and navigation, airbags aplenty and the multiple driving settings. There are also clever Aventador-exclusives, like the button that lifts the front of the car about 1.5 inches (40 mm) to help the low, wedgy nose clear steep driveways without scraping that expensive bodywork. The Aventador’s infotainment system is more or less a Lambo-ized version of Audi’s MMI, for instance. The Superveloce loses some features in the name of weight savings, but you get an additional 40 horsepower for the added $90,000 premium.

There aren’t many traditional options on the Lamborghini Aventador. A rearview camera, parking sensors, clear plastic cover for the engine, and a premium audio system are all available, although the best audio system comes from the car’s four tailpipes. Beyond that, Lamborghini gives its well-heeled buyers ample room to customize their cars. Lamborghini leaves very little on the cutting-room floor when it comes to the Aventador. The Ad Personum option lets you customize the color, interior and pretty much anything else on the car. How far Lamborghini is willing to go depends on how much you’re willing to spend.

Lamborghini quotes its 6.5-liter V12 engine as producing a solid 691 horsepower in the Aventador, 730 horsepower in the Aventador S and 740 ponies in the SV. Interestingly, this monster of an engine makes a subtle nod to fuel economy thanks to a cylinder-deactivation system that shuts off half the cylinders under light throttle, and a stop/start system that shuts it off entirely at stoplights. Both only work in the Strada mode. A 7-speed single-clutch automated manual transmission that Lamborghini calls "Independent Shift Rod" is the only way to get power to the wheels of this all-wheel-drive supercar. Put it all together, and the 3,500-pound Italian rockets from 0 to 60 mph in less than three seconds on its way to a 217-mph top speed.

6.5-liter V12
691 horsepower @ 8,250 rpm
507 lb-ft of torque @ 5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 11/18 mpg

6.5-liter V12 (S)
730 horsepower @ 8,250 rpm
507 lb-ft of torque @ 5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 11/18 mpg

6.5-liter V12 (Superveloce)
740 horsepower @ 8,250 rpm
507 lb-ft of torque @ 5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 11/18 mpg

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.