Monday, January 12, 2015

RECORD YEAR FOR AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI: DELIVERIES INCREASED TO 2,530 UNITS IN 2014



In the year 2014 Automobili Lamborghini set a new sales record in its history. With 2,530 cars delivered to customers the company achieved a new milestone not only for sales, but also for brand and product.

''In 2014, Lamborghini delivered a very satisfying performance, confirming again the strength of our brand, product and commercial strategy,'' said Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.



With 130 dealers serving 48 countries, in 2014 worldwide deliveries to customers increased from 2,121 to 2,530 units. This represents a sales growth of 19% compared to the previous year.

''We increased sales in all our major regions'', continued Winkelmann. ''Our biggest markets are the USA and Greater China. They are followed by the Middle East, UK, Japan and Germany which each registered significant growth in 2014.''

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

What is Lamborghini's "Forged Composite"?


Carbon fiber is known throughout the world in countless industries for its incredible strength-to-weight ratio. Typically, carbon fiber composites are interwoven strands of carbon sheets called "pre-preg" which is then impregnated with a special resin. Producing carbon fiber is expensive and time consuming but provides incredible strength per weight unit in the direction of the fibers. Automobili Lamborghini created their own internal division, "Advanced Composite Research Center" (ACRC), which handles all facets of Lamborghini's carbon production. ACRC's primary objectives are producing carbon components while simultaneously reducing costs and production time through innovative design and research of carbon fiber elements. After years of testing, research, and production optimization, Lamborghini unveiled their newly developed "Forged Composite" for the world to see.

"Forged Composite" is in many ways different compared to the typical carbon fiber most know and love. For starters, "Forged Composite" is essentially a paste of carbon and resin that can be shaped or molded. To put it simply, it is compression molded in extreme heat. In detail, "Forged Composite" features shorter length carbon fibers and is unidirectionally stronger than typical carbon fiber. "Forged Composite" is created when the paste mixture of carbon and resin is pressed with 60 bar of pressure (870 psi) in a mold heated to 130 degrees Celsius. The benefits of this production method are: flexibility of producing complex parts from molds, extremely short curing time, cost reduction, and strength equal to or better than titanium at only 1/3rd the density. Curing time in a typical carbon fiber pre-preg production takes 6 hours, "Forged Composite" takes just under 9 minutes. Total production costs for "Forged Composite" are reduced by a staggering 30% compared to the production of the typical carbon fiber sheet. As you can see in the figures above, the benefits in regards to production are extremely enticing on all fronts.

Utilizing this new form of carbon, Automobili Lamborghini launched a new project to showcase their newly developed "Forged Composite". Thus, the "Sesto Elemento" concept was born from a standard Gallardo drivetrain. The Sesto Elemento was a technical exercise aimed to showcase the real world applications for this new form of carbon fiber. On the outside, "Forged Composite" loses the typical weave pattern and instead gains a marble-like appearance that is randomized and unique, similarly to how snowflakes are unique to each other. The Sesto Elemento's suspension arms, monocoque, crash structures, body shell, and even the high temp exhausts were all crafted from this new "Forged Composite". Featuring integrated racing bucket seats into the monocoque and titanium fasteners throughout, the Sesto Elemento weighed in at only 2,200lbs showing a 1,100lbs net reduction of weight from a standard Gallardo. This enables the Sesto Elemento to accelerate from 0-60mph in a mind-numbing 2.5 seconds with a power-to-weight ratio of 1:4. As if the performance figures weren't enough, the styling inside and out matched with sharp angles, hexagonal design details, and ferocity only a Lamborghini could dictate.

Lamborghini's ACRC department boasts a vast database and research facility that thoroughly examines, simulates, produces, and repairs carbon technologies. In regards to simulation, the ACRC department tests materials for behavior and characterization of carbon elements, components testing, corrosion tests, static and dynamic testing, along with production processes and methods. The Lamborghini Aventador features a complete carbon monocoque with front and rear subframes of aluminum. Should a Lamborghini Aventador ever require carbon repairs to its monocoque, a flying doctor who specializes in carbon repair is dispatched by air. The carbon repair specialist uses ACRC's inspection technologies that are non-destructive and utilize ultra sounds, thermography, and X-Ray examinations to learn about the condition of the carbon structures and elements. These non-invasive and non-destructive examinations allow the flying doctor to judge the damages to the carbon and evaluate the best strategy of repair for the composite structure. On top of ACRC's repair studies, ACRC also studies the corrosion characteristics, recyclability, and design of carbon composites.

Although production and utilization of "Forged Composite" is in its infantile stage, we can see "Forged Composite" in Lamborghini's all-new Huracán LP610-4. Specifically, the Huracán LP610-4's engine bay panels now have the optional "Forged Composite" finish, an all-new option for Lamborghini. Lamborghini also has set out to create exterior and interior components for the Lamborghini Aventador which were displayed at Geneva Motor Show of 2014 via Lamborghini's bespoke program, "Ad Personam".  In 2014, Lamborghini also unveiled the Veneno Coupe and Veneno Roadster, a Aventador-based Carbon-masterpiece utilizing "Forged Composite" inside and out.  All the exterior body panels are of "Forged Composite", as are the seatbacks, along with a mixture of Carbon Fiber and "Forged Composite" throughout the interior.



Currently, Lamborghini is the first and only manufacturer in the world to have received a Carbon Fiber repair certificate from TÜV. Lamborghini, with their own internal ACRC department, is also the only auto-manufacturer in the world to execute it all in-house, from simulation to production, and research. Currently, Lamborghini is testing and assessing the characteristics of "Forged Composite" in terms of age degradation, crash tests, & corrosion tests for future applications and uses. Just how far will Lamborghini take their "Forged Composite"? Only the future will tell.

Friday, December 19, 2014

THE SPECIAL SERIES LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR LP 700-4 PIRELLI EDITION CELEBRATES THE HISTORICAL COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE TWO BRANDS


Lamborghini has announced production of an exclusive new special series, the Aventador LP 700-4 Pirelli Edition, created to celebrate the long and ongoing history of collaboration with prestigious Italian tire manufacturer Pirelli. The partnership began back in1963, the year the House of the Raging Bull was established, and since then all Lamborghini cars have been equipped with Pirelli tires. The two firms share not only their Italian origins but also, and above all, a constant quest for technological innovation.


The new Aventador Pirelli Edition, available in Coupé and Roadster versions, will be produced in a special series and is available to order now from dealers, for delivery early summer 2015.

The super sports car maintains all its unique technical features, first and foremost the carbon fiber monocoque, the V12 engine, pushrod suspensions and the permanent all-wheel drive, which underlie the Aventador's global success. The special Pirelli series is enhanced by exclusive equipment specifically designed by the Lamborghini Centro Stile.

The exterior sports a two-tone color scheme in two options. The first is matteblack for the roof, the pillars, the rearview mirrors, the engine hood, and the front, rear, side and moving air in takes, in contrast with six glossy finishes for the rest of the body (Giallo Spica, Rosso Mars, Bianco Isis, Nero Aldebaran, Grigio Liqueo, and Grigio Ater). The second option is glossy black for the upper parts of the car and the air intakes, in contrast with four matte finishes for the rest of the exterior (Bianco Canopus, Nero Nemesis, Grigio Adamas, and Grigio Titans).




Thursday, December 18, 2014

AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI ANNOUNCES THE WORLDWIDE 2015 ESPERIENZA AND ACCADEMIA PROGRAMS



Automobili Lamborghini has announced its 2015 worldwide program of Accademia and Esperienza driving events, designed to allow both drivers enjoying a first taste of Lamborghini to those already experienced on track, to enjoy the brand and the supersports cars from Sant'Agata Bolognese.


From 15-19 January 2015 the impressive frozen lake track of Nagano (Japan), is the location of the first Lamborghini Winter Accademia that next year will visit three exclusive new locations, on three continents for the first time:Europe, Asia and America. The Asian leg of the tour will be followed by a program in Aspen (Colorado, United States) from 6-8 February and the Italian stage in Livigno running from 21-26 February.

After the three winter events, the track-driving Accademia will visit Barcelona in Spain, before moving on to Imola in Italy and then to the famous F1 Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. The Sepang circuit in Malaysia will be another stop-off point in Asia, while in the United States the program will visit the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

The 2015 Lamborghini Esperienza will visit four continents for the first time. More than 20 fixtures have been arranged at some of the most prestigious circuits in Europe, United States, Asia and Australia. The Lamborghini Esperienza is the first step for anyone wanting to explore the world of Lamborghini. The courses are held at circuits or driving centers suited to the type of program, with the aim of introducing the brand and a first experience of Lamborghini super sports cars.


Wednesday, November 26, 2014

"VIP 700 Club" Client Appreciation Event by Lamborghini Newport Beach.


We here at Lamborghini Newport Beach recognize that the it takes a special person to pull the purchasing trigger on a 700HP V12-powered Lamborghini Aventador.  We've gathered our most distinguished clients for an Aventador-only client appreciation event called the "VIP 700 Club" where we collectively gathered 21,000 Italian horsepower here in Southern California.  We believe that this is the most Aventador gathered in the world at any one point in time.  Below is a video of our departure from our dealership and just below that we have some photos to give an overview of the event.

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To view all 300+ photos in HD on Flickr, click here.