The Veneno Roadster’s closest relative in the Lamborghini range is the Aventador Roadster, which shares the same V12 engine architecture and seven-speed ISR transmission. Both cars distribute their eye-watering power between all four wheels. The difference is in the detail. Aventador produces 700 metric horsepower; Veneno tops it with 750HP at 8,400rpm. The carbon-fibre monocoque keeps the Aventador Roadster down to an impressively low 1625kg dry weight; the Veneno is even lighter at 1,490kg.
Weight is distributed 43 prcent front, 57 percent rear, and the net result of all these incremental gains is a power to weight ratio of 1.99kg/hp. 0-100km/h comes up in 2.9 seconds, but it’s not a vehicle for straight-line drag racing. The Veneno Roadster’s light weight pays dividends in braking, cornering and steering feedback, and the faster you go the more you sense the difference. The rationale for an open cockpit? If it’s good enough for the LMP1 Le Mans Series prototypes, it’s good enough for Lamborghini’s most extreme roadster yet.