The most extreme Lamborghinis

Lamborghini to the extreme

Lamborghini has pulled the wraps off its latest limited edition: the aptly named Fenomeno. Based on the Revuelto, it combines a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine with three electric motors for a grand total of 1,080hp.

The Fenomeno is only the latest in a long line of extreme Lamborghinis, however. Join us for a closer look at this new hypercar, followed by some of our favourite raging bulls.

Lamborghini Fenomeno

Looking quite restrained by Lamborghini standards, the Fenomeno features an S-Duct system to increase front downforce, along with a flowing ‘long tail’. Designer Mitja Borkert describes his latest work as “hyper-elegant”.

There is nothing subtle about the Fenomeno’s performance, though. Zero to 62mph takes a mere 2.4 seconds, with 124mph reached in 6.7 seconds and a top speed beyond 217mph.

Lamborghini Fenomeno

Production of this special Lamborghini will be limited to just 29 examples. And yes, before you dust off your credit card, they have all been sold.

Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said: “The combination of the most powerful V12 in our history, breathtaking design, superior aerodynamics and cutting-edge technologies such as extreme lightweight construction make the Fenomeno the most extraordinary super sports car of our time”.

Lamborghini Invencible and Autentica

Before the Revuelto came along, Lamborghini said arrivederci to the long-serving Aventador with two highly modified specials: the Invencible coupe and Autentica roadster. The latter is pictured here.

Both cars used a 780hp version of the outgoing, non-hybrid V12 engine, along with carbon fibre bodywork to save weight.

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

The SVJ – or Super Veloce Jota – wasn’t the most powerful Aventador, but it was the fastest around a circuit. Indeed, it briefly held the road-legal lap record at the Nurburgring. Production was limited to 900 units and a 770hp output could deliver 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds.

The SVJ 63 edition parked in the foreground paid homage to Lamborghini’s founding year and only 63 were made.

Lamborghini Huracan Performante

The Huracan Performante was at home on both the road and the racetrack. It featured active aerodynamics, forged carbon-fibre parts and a 640hp 5.2-litre V10 engine.

Little wonder this ‘junior’ Lamborghini had set eight track records within a year of its official debut.

Lamborghini Huracan STO

Like a lighter, angrier Performante with rear-wheel drive, the STO was arguably the Huracan’s high-point. After an epic road-trip through the Scottish Highlands, we said: ‘A voracious hunger for revs sees you chasing the 8,500rpm redline whenever possible, grinning like a lunatic as it flings you into the middle-distance. Searing throttle response is also combined with perhaps the best twin-clutch gearbox of all.

‘Driving the Huracan back-to-back with an Aventador SVJ, the contrast with the latter car’s clunky automated manual is acute.’

Lamborghini Terzo Millennio

We planned to steer clear of concept cars, but must make an exception for the wild Terzo Millennio. When Lamborghini has to ditch the internal combustion engine, it’ll need to embrace electrification, which is where this concept comes in.

We applaud the electric drivetrain and many of the systems, but the ‘Piloted Driving’ simulation is a tad concerning. Do you really want to be driven around Imola by a so-called ‘virtual expert’? Where’s the fun in that?

Lamborghini Veneno

Lamborghini called it a ‘racing prototype for the road’, although we see it more as otherworldly. How else could you describe the styling and the 220mph top speed? Still, what a way to celebrate a 50th birthday.

Only five Venenos were ever made: two for Lamborghini and three for some seriously wealthy customers.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 Super Veloce

Lamborghini dusted off the fabled SV moniker for the extreme Murcielago LP670-4 Super Veloce. Its 6.5-litre V12 developed 30 extra horses and Lamborghini also put the SV on a weight-loss diet – saving 100kg.

The 0-62mph time was 3.2 seconds and this ultimate Murcielago could reach a top speed of 212mph.

Lamborghini Egoista

You wouldn’t be surprised to see this roaming another planet in some outrageously over-the-top science fiction movie. Either that, or it would be driven by a laser-gun-wielding Will Smith as he attempts to save the planet from impending doom.

The Water de Silva-designed Egoista isn’t exactly attractive, but it doesn’t lack presence either.

Lamborghini Huracan LP620-2 Super Trofeo

As soon as Lamborghini launched the hardcore Huracan LP620-2 Super Trofeo racer, we knew there’d be a road-going version that was driven through the rear wheels.

This super-light race car weighs a mere 1,270kg and its V10 engine develops a magnificent 620hp. It also looks superb.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

The Sesto Elemento is Lamborghini at its best: bonkers and brilliant. The figures are astonishing. At 999kg, it weighs less than your average supermini. However, your average supermini isn’t powered by a V10 engine developing 570hp.

It means this carbon-fibre-enriched supercar will sprint to 62mph in 2.5 seconds. The Sesto Elemento wasn’t road-legal from the factory, but it can be converted.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera Edizione Tecnica

According to Lamborghini, this is the best Gallardo ever made. And former Top Gear presenter Chris Evans said it was the most exciting and frightening road-legal car he’d ever driven.

As with all the supercars here, the figures are pretty wild: a V10 engine developing 561hp, a top speed of 202mph and a 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds.

Lamborghini Countach

It needs no introduction. For many children growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, this was the pin-up car of choice. The ultimate Countach was the Quattrovalvole or QV, complete with its 414hp 5.2-litre engine.

It’s all about the wedge shape and those dramatic doors. It’s one of the most famous supercars ever created.

Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 Super Veloce

Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2015, the Aventador LP 750-4 Super Veloce is a stripped back and seriously hardcore race car for the road.

Free of soundproofing or needless accessories, the SV isn’t for the faint-hearted. Four-wheel drive just about manages to keep this V12 monster pointing in the right direction.

Lamborghini Reventon

By today’s standards, the aircraft-inspired Reventon looks quite tame. Only 20 of these £840,000 ‘fighting bulls’ were made, although Lamborghini built one extra for its museum. Well, you just would, wouldn’t you?

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Pirelli Edition

This isn’t the craziest Lamborghini you’ll find here, but we really like the styling. It was built to celebrate the partnership between Lamborghini and Pirelli.

When celebrations involve 700hp and a 0-62mph time of 2.9 seconds, we’re more than happy to raise a glass.

Lamborghini LM002

Why have a Bentley Bentayga when you can have a Lamborghini LM002? Back in 1986, the ‘Rambo Lambo’ was the first four-wheel-drive car the Italian company had ever built. And it was powered by the same V12 engine as the Countach.

The LM002 was influenced by the equally bonkers Lamborghini Cheetah: a prototype military vehicle from 1977.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante Edizione Tecnica

All the benefits of Alcantara and carbon-fibre, but without a roof. The usual figures apply: 201mph, 3.9 seconds to 62mph and 561hp. Just don’t try to say that name in a hurry.

Lamborghini Aventador J

You won’t need to look too closely to spot the Aventador J has no roof. Or windows. But you won’t be able to spot that it doesn’t have air conditioning. Or a radio.

Despite its somewhat basic spec, Lamborghini sold the one-off Aventador J for $2,800,000 (£1,840,000). In case you’re wondering, the ‘J’ stands for Jota. We’ll come back to that name a little later…

Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni

The rear-wheel-drive Huracan has something in common with the Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni, not least because – at the time – it was the first rear-driven Lamborghini since the Diablo SV.

It was built as a tribute to former test driver, Valentino Balboni (pictured here), who insisted on the layout. Good man.

Lamborghini Asterion LPI910-4

No, the Asterion concept of 2014 isn’t extreme in the Lamborghini sense, but it certainly was unexpected. Thanks to three electric motors and a 5.2-litre V10 engine, this plug-in hybrid developed a mighty 897hp.

The CO2 emissions were quoted at a rather un-Lamborghini-like 98g/km.

Lamborghini Miura Jota

You can thank Bob Wallace, Lamborghini’s famous former test driver, for the Miura Jota’s existence. He felt the Miura had unfulfilled potential for the racetrack, which is how the one-off Jota of 1970 was born.

Sadly, the car, quite literally, crashed and burned on the outskirts of Italy. But a selection of enlightened customers ensured that a handful of Miura Jotas were eventually built.

Lamborghini Diablo GT-R

Just look at it. Surely the GT-R is the best looking Diablo ever built? The road-going Diablo GT arrived in 1999, but the GT-R racer followed soon after.

Only 40 units were built, with each one featuring an integrated roll cage, a huge rear wing and an uprated 6.0-litre V12 engine. Top speed was 216mph.

Lamborghini Marzal

We’re trying to keep this feature free of concepts, but we can’t let the stunning Lamborghini Marzal of 1967 pass us by. Bertone created a four-seat masterpiece, with ‘gullwing’ doors made of glass.

Company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini wasn’t impressed, saying: “a lady’s leg would be there for all to see”. Quite.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale

Making its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, only 150 units of the Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale were ever made. As a road-going version of the Super Trofeo race car, it was typically hardcore, with an adjustable rear spoiler offering three times the aerodynamic load of the standard LP560-4.

Lamborghini Veneno Roadster

Wait, haven’t we seen the Veneno already? Well yes, but this is the topless version. Thanks to the strengthening required due to the loss of the roof, the Roadster is slightly heavier than the ‘standard’ Veneno, but its performance figures remain the same. A total of nine were built.

Lamborghini Walter Wolf Countach

The Walter Wolf specials are legendary within Countach circles. Wolf was a Canadian who owned his own F1 team and even considered buying Lamborghini outright.

Being a very rich man who had owned several Lamborghinis in his time, Wolf had enough influence to convince the company to build him three personal specials. Walter Wolf, we salute you.

Lamborghini Estoque

Sure, it’s not wild. It’s not even extreme. In fact, it’s rather elegant. But the idea of a modern Lamborghini four-door saloon in the style of an Aston Martin Rapide or Porsche Panamera is rather appealing. A shame it never got beyond the concept stage.

We can’t decide if the angular Lamborghini nose works on a super-saloon. What do you think?

Lamborghini Jarama

The Jarama is so 1970s. Whatever your thoughts on the Lamborghini Jarama, you can’t deny it has got bucket-loads of presence. It was also one of Ferruccio Lamborghini’s favourites, so who are we to argue? Besides, we have a soft spot for the V12-engined curio.

Lamborghini Pregunta

You didn’t think we’d miss this, did you? The Pregunta was based on the Diablo and was powered by the same V12 engine, giving it a claimed top speed of 207mph.

Carrosserie Heuliez of France hand-built the car, which was painted in the same colour as the Dassault Rafale fighter jet.

Lamborghini Miura SVR

According to the good people of Sant’Agata Bolognese, the Miura SVR is ‘one of the most astonishing Lamborghinis ever built’. It’s a one-off, inspired by the Miura Jota and created by the factory at the behest of German importer, Herbert Hahne.

For 40 years, it lived in Japan, before it was restored by the talented folk at Polo Storico – Lamborghini’s in-house heritage division.

Lamborghini Urus SE

While fairly sensible by Lamborghini standards, the Urus is still one of the fastest SUVs on the planet. If you’re going to cross a continent with the family and their luggage, what better way than in a Lambo with an 800hp hybrid-boosted V8 and a 194mph top speed?

You might not like it, but it’s thanks to the very profitable Urus that Lamborghini can carry on producing extreme supercars.

Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato

And if you want to go off-road, but only require two seats, Lamborghini also has you covered. The radical Huracan Sterrato earned rave reviews, so don’t be surprised if we see a similarly rugged take on the new Temerario.

Our Tim Pitt drove the car at Nardo proving ground, saying: ‘After several more laps, I start to find a flow: braking hard and early, aiming the nose at each apex and then powering out wide and sideways on the exit. The Sterrato’s unique, driver-selectable Rally mode loosens the stability control and uses the ABS to help the car slide, making the whole process feel smooth and easy. Well, until that voracious V10 leads you into temptation again.’

Lamborghini Diablo SVR

This was the first Lamborghini officially entered into racing by the factory. The SVR was based on the ‘standard’ Diablo SV and stripped back to race spec, including the removal of the headlights and the fitment of a huge carbon-fibre rear wing.

When the racing was over, some SVRs were converted for road use. Imagine seeing this on your local high street…

Lamborghini Lanzador

We conclude with a look into Lamborghini’s future. The fully electric Lanzador develops 1,360hp and resembles the mutant offspring of an SUV and a supercar. You might call it a crossover, Lamborghini terms it an ‘Ultra GT’.

Technology such as self-levelling air suspension, rear-wheel steering and ‘Wheelspeed Control’ should ensure the Lanzador feels suitably sporting to drive. Expect to see it in Lamborghini showrooms from 2028.