2015 Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce - latest pictures and details

Forged centre-locking lightweight alloy wheels, measuring 20in in diameter at the front and 21in at the rear, and finished in matt black paint, feature on the SV. The wheels are shod in Pirelli P Zero Corsa sports tyres. Carbon-ceramic brakes are fitted to the SV as standard.

Most striking in the Aventador SV’s new look is the large rear wing, which can be manually adjusted to three different positions. The wing contributes to the SV’s significant increase in both aerodynamic efficiency and downforce over the standard Aventador, without increasing drag.

Also new at the rear is the adoption of mesh to increase engine cooling, and a large diffuser, with many parts made from carbonfibre. At the front, there is what Lamborghini calls a more “open” style, with larger air intakes to improve cooling, and a skirt and two front wings providing improved aero and greater downforce. More visible carbonfibre can be seen at the front, a material also used for the exterior mirror housings and air intakes above the rear wheels.

The stripped-out interior is notable for featuring a new woven carbonfibre fabric for the seats and other parts of the cabin. Called Carbon Skin, the Lamborghini-developed material is claimed to be the lightest fabric available, soft to the touch yet hard wearing.

Parts of the Aventador’s carbonfibre monocoque are also on display in the cabin for the sills and centre tunnel. The seats are carbonfibre-backed, and other materials include Alcantara and leather. Another new feature inside is the instrument cluster – a TFT screen that adopts gearshift and G-force indicators.

Q&A Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini head of R&D

What was the main goal with the Aventador SV?

"To create the pinnacle of a super sports car, something that is very different. Creating something more than the Aventador is not easy but we worked on all areas and identified potential improvements such as the design, making the aero as extreme as possible and increasing the downforce without penalising drag. You are able to corner at very high speeds and keep applying more power; cornering in this car really is fantastic. We also added in the MagneRide system and new variable steering."

What’s it like to drive?

"You must also factor in the 50 extra horsepower and 50kg less weight than the Aventador. What I think, though, is that every driver will be able to use the agility and the stability in long corners; you can really push the limits and still not arrive at them. The downforce and suspension really push the car and make sure it does not lose contact with the ground. There’s an unbelievable synchronisation between the suspension, steering, engine and downforce. 

"The SV is the new benchmark for a super sports car in the world field. It’s also the most pure with its [naturally aspirated] V12; there is nothing comparable to it."

How good does the engine sound?

"One of the parameters for the car was to have the exhaust announce its arrival in a more aggressive and brutal way."

Does the normally aspirated V12 engine still have a future?

"Our engineers have the right experience and knowledge to redefine it every time and keep pushing the upper limits. There are physical limits, but I see other potentials still. They’re not easy to achieve. Every extra horsepower we get out of it is due to the experience of our engineers, not by adding more with a turbo. This is why we’re proud of every horsepower and extra Newton metre we add. And I’m pretty sure this isn’t the end of the story."

Tell us more about the Carbon Skin interior fabric…

"It was originally developed on the Aventador Concept J three years ago. It’s something we decided to push forward  after the reaction. To develop such a material for automotive use is a long task but we’ve validated it in the field and met all the targets – everything from colour to smell. It’s much lighter than leather or Alcantara, so in a super sports car it is the perfect material for appearance and weight.

"It is about 30% of the weight of leather, so a significant 70% decrease in weight. The next step is to industrialise it and produce more. [It is expensive] but look at the cost of carbonfibre now compared with 30 years ago."