Lamborghini Aventador Roadster - Hurricane-Force Hairdryer (Part 2)

In Sport mode, the torque split is biased 90 per cent to the rear, so the car behaves more like a rear-drive devil. Indeed, the driver will be made acutely aware of how his right foot affects the attitude of the vehicle in corners. At the same time, the electronic nanny will let the driver experiment a bit more, and allow a modicum of over steer at the limit. It can be a bit unnerving, though – at least on the long banked oval of Homestead-Miami Speedway, where the monster moved around in accordance with my right-foot input.

In Corsa mode, the car feels more controllable, with computers sorting out the torque supply-and-distribution far better than any “right foot”. It shuffles up to 20 per cent of the engine’s great energy to the front wheels, thereby maximizing traction and minimizing mid-corner “distraction”. The electronic nanny will also loosen up more than in Sport, but it’ll intervene to save the day if the driver messes up – assuming the entry speed isn’t excessive.

Despite Corsa being the most extreme setting, it doesn’t make the ride punishing, so it can be enjoyed every day – without backache or headache. But you’ll have to work the paddles all the way, with Corsa being manual-only, and the DIY shifts are very aggressive. If you need fully automatic gear shifting, switch from Corsa to Sport, but your involvement in the action would be reduced accordingly.

Leaving on a jet plane: You need to be a good driver, or perhaps a decent pilot, to handle this “aircraft” well

In any case, I prefer Sport to Corsa, because the former gives me most of the thrills without much effort on my part – i.e. I don’t have to mount a 10/10 attack on a racetrack to have a ball in the Aventador. The auto gearbox plays along, shifting enthusiastically at redline and changing down promptly when braking into a corner so the committed driver can accelerate out in a blaze of V12 glory.

In the suspension department, the inboard Ohlins dampers and springs have a fixed setup that can handle a wide variety of scenarios, whether street or track. This depth of ability is nothing short of amazing, negating the need for electronically controlled damping and other complicated devices. The purposeful gumball tires are Pirelli P Zeros.

With the two carbon panels in place, the Roadster cockpit feels exactly like that of the coupe. The two Aventador models share the same dashboard and whatnot, with the primary difference being the extra “headroom” in the Roadster. With the roof panels taken off, the striking interior is literally on show. The seats are sized and shaped for large-frame occupants, so the average Asian might feel less strapped-in than he’d expect, especially when he’s playing Rambo on the road in the Lambo.

Dramatic start: Flick up the cover, thumb the starter, and stand by to blow-dry your hair

The instrument cluster is a comprehensive full-color LCD panel, with graphics that can be changed to suit your fancy. The alphanumeric are easy to read even in bright sunlight, which is crucial for a convertible. There are many ways to customize the cockpit’s colors and materials, but thankfully wood trim isn’t available.

Miami advice: Bring Ray-Bans, an Armani jacket and a part-time detective for that Miami Vice effect

The Aventador LP700-4 already occupies a special place in the supercar arena, being a series-produced V12 mid-engine, all-carbon machine, and the Roadster spinoff makes it even more special, more spectacular. The Lamborghini flagship is a decadent supercar through and through, and losing the roof makes it even more exciting.

Aventador J

Unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, this one-off “speedster” has no roof, no windows and no windscreen, but a whole lot of attitude. It’s derived from the Aventador coupe, but every exterior panel is bespoke except for the bonnet and fenders. The “J” in its name is a reference to the Miura-based Jota, a special project from 1970. The Aventador J was bought by a loyal Lamborghini customer for the equivalent of S$3.5 million. We wonder if he has an Aventador Roadster, too.

Aventador J

Specifications