November 2018 Issue #23 November 2018 Issue #23 | Page 90

Other tweaks to the SVJ over past Aventadors include reprogrammed magnetic dampers, a
retuned all-wheel-drive system, super sticky, model-specific Pirelli Trofeo R tires (255/30ZR20
in front, 355/25ZR21 rear), and 20 percent stiffer anti-roll bars. Also, the reworked body panels
are 40 percent more aerodynamic than the SV. Lamborghini claims a 0-62-mph launch in 2.8
seconds. However, when we tested the Superveloce, we saw 0-60 in 2.6 seconds. The SV was
also able to run the quarter mile in 10.4 seconds at 134.7 mph (216.8 km/h). Expect this car to
be quicker. Lamborghini still quotes the top speed as north of 217 mph (350 km/h).
The results of all the new stuff on the SVJ are undeniable. An orange, camouflaged car piloted
by the fearless Marco Mapelli flew around the N rburgring Nordschleife in 6:44.97, setting the
new production car lap record—a record formerly held by the Porsche GT2 RS (6:47.25), a car
that has set lap records on two tracks we regularly test on, Big Willow and Weathertech Race-
way Laguna Seca. Perhaps more remarkably, the Aventador SV’s ‘Ring lap was 6:59.73, mean-
ing that Lamborghini was able to shave nearly 15 seconds off that car’s time. That’s more than
1 second per mile. That’s remarkable, though not quite as amazing as the jump from the OG
Aventador (7:25.00) to the SV. However, when you consider the jump from the initial car to the
Jota, we’re talking more than 40 seconds. Frankly, that borders on absurd. It also shows that
(like we said) the original Aventador just wasn’t all that. Moving on!
Lamborghini was nice enough to fly me out to the Autodromo do Estoril racetack west of Lisbon,
Portugal, to have a go in the SVJ. A funny thing happened, however, between when Lamborghi-
ni tested the SVJs on the track and we journo types showed up. Estoril got repaved. What does
that mean? No grip. Like none, especially on the model-specific Pirelli Trofeo Rs the SVJ comes
on/used to whoop butt on the ‘Ring. What to do? Lamborghini removed the fancy shoes and
replaced them with P Zero Corsas. The result? Still not very much traction. Oh dear.
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