The Wild 2024 Lamborghini Invencible and Autentica Are a Fitting Farewell to the V-12
There was only one way to properly celebrate the history of the Lamborghini V-12: create one-off masterpieces of Italian supercars using the roaring beasts.
With the rise of electrification of the modern automotive powertrain, naturally aspirated engines like the Lamborghini V-12 weren't long for this world. While amazing examples of engineering, the power, efficiency, and reduction of emissions a hybrid powertrain provides are just too many advantages to give up for a legacy engine. To bid this legendary V-12 a proper goodbye before Lamborghini's first hybrid setup debuts, the Italian supercar builder found that the only way to say farewell was to build two one-off masterpieces that celebrate this fire-breathing beast.
Both the Invencible coupe and Autentica roadster pay tribute to several V-12 powered Lamborghinis before the brand goes into its hybrid future. There are elements of the Sesto Elemento, an homage of lightness and motorsports; the Reventon, a unique take on aeronautical style; The Essenza SCV12, an imposing design of high-performance aerodynamics; and the Veneno, a quest for aerodynamic perfection. All of the characteristics from each of those legendary Lamborghinis were built into an Aventador chassis by Lamborghini Centro Stile to create the ultimate in V-12-powered performance.
To top it all off, distinctive visual cues were added like the hexagonal LED running lights, air intakes and Inconel triple central exhaust system, similar to the Sesto Elemento. Both new cars are a marvel to look at from the outside.
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Inside, both supercars are made using clean lines and minimalist dashboards with only hexagonal 3d-printed air vents to break everything up. The idea is to focus on the driving and underline the lightness that only Lamborghini could create from its carbon fiber cockpit.
The digital dash features elements that are dedicated to the graphics of each car, with the Invencible coupe being dominated by red elements while the Autentica features a matte black and Giallo Auge livery. You'll also find tributes to its Italian roots with its country's tricolor flag found in elements of the door linings and steering wheel.
Of course, the heart of both cars is the ultimate tribute to the Lamborghini V-12. These final production versions of the naturally aspirated 6.5 liter engine create 769 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque at 6,750 rpm. These engines are also mounted to ISR gearboxes and drive all four wheels using the Lamborghini Dynamic Steering System. It is a fitting farewell to such a wonderful engine, but what replaces them will surely become another part of Lamborghini's storied powertrain history.
Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he's had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He's best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
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