Another 20 for the world to enjoy.
At the automotive paradise that is “The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering” during Monterey Car Week, Lamborghini unveiled the Centenario Roadster – the open-top version of the car designed to celebrate Ferruccio Lamborghini’s birthday. The Lamborghini Centenario Roadster is part two of the gift, and just like its coupe counterpart, is limited to just 20 units worldwide.
‘‘Lamborghini prides itself on the relentless pursuit of experimentation. We are proud to unleash Centenario’s further potential in the form of a classic roadster; the perfect harmony between innovation and timeless design. This unique engineering achievement is a befitting tribute to Lamborghini’s extraordinary past and a preview of its brilliant future. Centenario Roadster embraces the cutting edge characteristics of its coupé sibling and embraces the freedom of a true open-top super sports car for a pure drive experience,’’ said Stefano Domenicali, Automobili Lamborghini Chief Executive Officer.
The same lightweight carbon fiber monocoque from the coupe forms the basis of the Lamborghini Centenario Roadster, which along with its carbon fiber bodywork, gives it a dry weight of just 3,461 lbs. Every aspect was designed using the “form follows function” principle with parts designed for cooling and downforce.
The Lamborghini Centenario Roadster does feature a bespoke front windscreen shape that cuts down on turbulence during higher speeds for passengers. The sleek glass flows into the frameless windows around the cabin for a clean look. The rear wall behind both passengers was designed to optimize airflow to the rear for even less turbulence and to channel more air towards the rear wing spoiler.
Carbon fiber aerodynamics can be found from the front to the rear and everywhere in between on the Lamborghini Centenario Roadster. New ducts extract heat and channel cool air, while splitters, spoilers, and diffusers keep the super car planted on the road. An extendable rear wing spoiler sits flush with the body at low speeds and can extend up to 150 mm higher at a 15-degree angle for maximum downforce in certain situations.
Sitting in front of that deployable rear spoiler wing is a 6.5-liter V-12 engine that is the most powerful engine built by the Italian automaker to-date. The Lamborghini Centenario Roadster has an output of 770 horsepower with a maximum engine speed of 8,600 RPM. Power is sent through the lightweight Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) transmission, propelling the open-top exotic to 62 mph in just 2.9 seconds. Top speed is all the way back at 218 mph.
Equally as impressive is the exotic’s ability to stop from 62 mph to rest in just 102 feet. That comes thanks to the massive carbon ceramic brakes that are cooled by carbon fiber air ducts and outlets as well as specially-designed wheels wrapped in sticky Pirelli PZero tires. The standard forged wheels feature fan-shaped spokes with carbon fiber highlights to help extract hot air while in motion.
Underneath the wide, powerful rear fenders is Lamborghini’s rear-wheel steering that improves agility and handling while cutting down on the turning radius. The system works with the Lamborghini Dynamic Steering (LDS) system and the brand’s magneto rheological suspension system to give divers a curve-cutting experience.
Only 20 examples of the Lamborghini Centenario Roadster will be built alongside the 20 Coupe models. Deliveries for Roadster will run through 2017 with each model starting at 2.0 million euros. All 40 of the Coupe and Roadster versions have already been sold, unfortunately.
Lamborghini Centenario Roadster Gallery
Source: Lamborghini
Would you pick the Lamborghini Centenario Roadster over the Coupe?
