The Dark Knight

The battle between Italian luxury sports car rivals Lamborghini and Ferrari rages on, but this time the raging bull takes full command of the road with the 2012 Aventador LP700-4. According to its tradition, Lamborghini’s new flagship bears the name of a bull bred by the Don Celestino Cuardi Vides family that in 1993, entered into battle at the Saragossa Arena, earning the “Trofeo de la Pena La Madronera” for its outstanding courage shown during the fight.

Developed in conjunction with Boeing (yes, the company makes airplanes), the Aventador is comprised of an industry-first full carbon-fiber monocoque shell, which reduces the car’s weight, increases rigidity and improves handling. The two-seat, all-wheel drive coupe, has a maximum speed of 217 mph that clocks 0-60 in an unprecedented 2.9 seconds. The low slung, long and wide, angular supercar’s racy look is coupled with the Formula 1-inspired pushrod suspension that feature horizontal shocks and springs attached to the center. And its seven-speed transmission offers three modes: Strada (road), Sport, and Corsa (track).

The cabin’s fighter plane-inspired center console stands out from the rest of its leather-upholstered, tailored-in-Milan kit. Aside from its aggressive exterior styling is the signature Lambo gull-wing doors that pivot upwards. The best feature is found in the interior as a red cover, (which resembles a detonator for a missile launcher out of a jet fighter) protects the ignition start button. Flip it open, press the ignition and the engine comes to life with a superfluous rev of the Aventador’s 700hp 6.5-liter V12 engine.

Automobili Lamborghini began work on the new model four years ago, and the launch in Delhi last week was the third in the world after it debuted at the Geneva Motor show in March. Since its introduction, 1,500 orders have been placed for the $393,695 supercar, with deliveries of the vehicle having a waiting period of up to 18 months. Following the release of Ferrari’s new FF model, the Aventador LP 700-4 is so advanced that it should be in a super car class of its own. (Aventador)