Description
This is lot number 148 in the Bonhams Bonmont Auction on June 30th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
• Ultra-rare Lamborghini supercar
• Single owner from new
• 505 kilometres recorded
• Service history available
• Most recent service in October 2023
• Saudi registration document
At the 2016 Geneva Motor Show Lamborghini unveiled their stunning new Centenario supercar, a model created to celebrate would would have been company founder Ferrucio Lamborghini's 100th birthday. The Centenario was based on the Aventador SV, retaining the latter's carbon-fibre monocoque and aluminium front and rear subframes. The original Aventador LP 700-4 had been launched at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, replacing the ageing Murcièlago as the Sant'Agata factory's flagship model, and was the latest in a line of spectacular supercars from Lamborghini stretching back to the iconic Miura of 1966. Designed by Filippo Perini, the new mid-engine coupé borrowed heavily from Lamborghini's limited edition Reventón and the Estoque concept car. One of its more striking features was the scissor doors - a 21st Century supercar 'must have'.
Like its predecessors, the newcomer was powered by a V12 engine. Amazingly, this was Lamborghini's first all-new power unit since the Giotto Bizzarrini-designed V12 that had debuted back in 1963 in the company's first road car: the 350GT. The Aventador's 6. 5-litre quad-cam V12 produced an impressive 690bhp, which reached the ground via a seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox and electronically controlled four-wheel drive transmission. A top speed of 349km/ h (217mph) was claimed by the factory, yet the French Sport Auto magazine managed to wind 'their' car up to 370km/ h (230mph).
The original Aventador LP700-4 was phased out after five years in production, since when there have been numerous progressively improved versions, plus, of course, the inevitable 'special edition' models. The first upgrade of the original Aventador - the SV (Super Veloce) - broke cover at the Geneva Motor Show in 2015. The newcomer's uprated V12 engine now produced a maximum output of 740hp, while the increased use of carbon-fibre reduced the weight by 50kg (110lb). The SV also also featured improved aerodynamics, with downforce increased by 180% over the original Aventador. Aerodynamic upgrades included a revised front splitter and rear diffuser together with a fixed carbon-fibre-reinforced rear wing. Chassis rigidity was increased, while running gear highlights included electronically assisted steering, push-rod suspension, and magnetorheological dampers. Deliveries began in the second quarter of 2015, with production limited to 600 units, and ended in July 2017.
Aided by its launch control system, the Aventador SV raced to 62mph (100km/ h) in 2. 8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 218mph (350km/ h). According to evo magazine: "The four fat sticky tyres feed the gargantuan power into the road surface with barely any slip and the car slingshots off the line, paddle-shift gearbox banging in each new cog with real ferocity.
"As evidenced by its Nürburgring lap time of 6min 59secs it has the raw performance to live with hybrid hypercars costing three times the SV's £315, 000. Supercar driving experiences do not come more authentic than this.
"In dynamic terms the SV feels sharper and more agile than the standard Aventador, but that car was hardly lacking in dynamic ability itself. Equipped with the vast rear wing and contrasting styling elements the SV looks incredible on the road."
It was only to be expected that the progressive development of the Aventador family would influence the design of the Centenario. According to Top Gear magazine: "Where the SV was a leap forwards over the cooking Aventador, the Centenario moves the needle a lot further and represents a more rounded, complete package." The coupé was the first version to launch (at Geneva in 2016) with the roadster following at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance later that same year. As installed in the Centenario, the 6. 5-litre V12 engine produced a maximum of 759bhp at 8, 500rpm with 509ft/ lb of torque available at 5, 500 revs. The seven-speed ISR automated manual gearbox was carried over from the SV, as was the all-wheel-drive transmission and power assisted steering.
What was new was the revised aerodynamics, a foretaste of the technology Lamborghini would apply to future hypercars. Top Gear again: "At the front, the more aggressive twin-deck splitter generates massive downforce and channels the airflow over and down the side of the car via the sideblades, but it's at the rear of the car where the dark art of airflow is let off the leash. The Centenario features one of the largest diffusers this side of a Le Mans racer, combined with the removal of much of the bodywork surface area behind the rear wheels and an active rear wing which extends 150mm delivering 227kg of downforce at 174mph." The factory claimed performance figures of 0-62mph in a blistering 2. 8 seconds and a 0-186mph (0-300km/ h) time of 23. 5 seconds.
Like the Aventador's, the Centenario's suspension was of the pushrod type with inboard magnetorheological dampers, while for the first time on a production Lamborghini there was rear-wheel steering, which conferred the advantages of increased manoeuvrability at city speeds and increased stability at higher velocities. Inside the Aventador-based carbon-fibre cabin there was a new infotainment system with a 10. 1" screen capable of displaying telemetry, driving data, and maximum speeds. Although a technically more complex car, the Centenario weighed 55kg less than an Aventador. Only 40 examples were built: 20 coupés and 20 roadsters, all of which were pre-sold to a select band of Lamborghini's VIP customers.
This gorgeous Centenario roadster was delivered new in Switzerland via Lamborghini St Galen (Hirsch AG) and first registered on 21st December 2017 to his current owner. Extremely exclusive, the Centenario was reserved for a lucky few; the current owner nevertheless had the opportunity to buy his position from the supposed initial owner.
On file are four estimates issued by Lamborghini Riyadh (dated 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023) relating to services, the most recent dated 1st October 2023 at 479 kilometres (the odometer reading during the photo shoot for the sale was 505km). Additional documentation includes the original EEC Certificate of Conformity, copies of a Saudi registration document, and shipping and importation paperwork. The car also comes complete with all books (including the stamped service book) and its tyre inflator (apparently unused). A possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of these most exclusive Lamborghini supercars.
Please note there is restricted bidding on this lot which requires enhanced bid verification checks. Please contact us at using the button below or call +44 20 7447 7447 as soon as possible if you are planning to bid on this lot to prevent any last-minute delays.
Please note that if this vehicle is to be imported into Switzerland, Swiss Customs charges (Car Tax, VAT and a Customs Administration Fee) will apply totalling roughly 13% of the Purchase Price (Hammer + Buyers Premium). Swiss Car Tax at 4% shall be calculated on the total Purchase Price. Swiss VAT (8. 1%) will then be applicable on the aggregated amount of the Hammer Price, Buyer's Premium and Swiss Car Tax. There will equally be a charge for the customs clearance procedure. Please note that customs rates to other countries shall vary. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams|Cars Department or our recommended shippers.
