2003 Lamborghini Murcielago on 2040-cars

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Performance doesn't matter anymore, it's all about the feel

We've just had a week of supercars and high-end EVs revealed. Many of them boast outrageous performance specs. There were multiple vehicles with horsepower in the four-figure range, and not just sports cars, but SUVs with 0-60 mph times under 3.5 seconds. And it's not just a rarified set of supercar builders, comparatively small tuners are also building this stuff. Going fast is easy nowadays and getting easier. So what will distinguish the greats from the wannabes? It's all about how a car feels. This may seem obvious. "Of course it matters that a car should have good steering feel and a playful chassis!" you say. "Why are you being paid for this stuff?" But a lot of automakers have missed the memo. This past week I spent some time in a BMW M4 Competition convertible, and it's a perfect example of prioritizing performance over experience. It boggles my mind how a company can create such dead and disconnected steering; the weight never changes, there's no feel whatsoever. The chassis is inflappable, but to a fault, because it doesn't feel like anything you're doing is difficult or exciting. The car is astoundingly fast and capable, but it feels less like driving a car and more like tapping in a heading on the Enterprise-D. I also happened to drive something of comparable performance that was much more enjoyable: a Mercedes-AMG GT. It was a basic model with the Stealth Edition blackout package, and even though it had a twin-turbo V8 instead of a six-cylinder, it only made 20 more horsepower. The power wasn't the big differentiator, it was (say it with me) the feel. While not the best example, the steering builds resistance as you dial in lock, giving you a better idea of what's happening up front. Pulses and vibrations come back to you as you move over bumpy pavement in corners. The chassis isn't quite as buttoned down, either, providing a little bit of body roll that tells you you're pushing it. It's also easier to feel when the car is wanting to understeer or oversteer, and how your throttle and steering inputs are affecting it. The whole thing is much more involving, exciting and fun. 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Stealth Edition View 8 Photos That's also to say nothing of the Merc's sounds. That V8 is maybe not the best sounding engine, but its urgent churn through the opened-up exhaust gets your heart racing. It also seems like it's vibrating the whole cabin, so you feel it as much as you hear it.

Lamborghini Cabrera could look this good when it replaces Gallardo

The Lamborghini Gallardo is a bit long in the tooth, so it's only natural that Lamborghini has its replacement in the works. Referred to as the Cabrera, the new model has been seen testing on the Nürburgring with fairly heavy camouflage, but it wasn't enough to stop automotive designer and Auto Week illustrator Marco van Overbeeke from rendering what he thinks it will look like when it's finished.
After comparing the illustrations and the photos of the Cabrera testing on the Nürburgring, it's not too far-fetched to say the next V10-powered, all-wheel-drive Lamborghini might look something like what van Overbeeke has envisioned. Feel free to check out the photo galleries below and compare the Nürburgring car with the illustrations. Then tell us what you think in Comments.

Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 SV Roadster drops its top at the Quail

The highly anticipated droptop version of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 570-4 SuperVeloce is here, debuting Friday at the Quail Motorsports Gathering as part of Monterey Car Week. The story here is pretty simple – take one Aventador SV and remove the roof – but the end result is a highly exclusive, truly outstanding supercar. "The Roadster version represents our commitment to satisfying our passionate clients with immensely emotional driving dynamics combined with an extraordinary open air experience," says Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann. For the SuperVeloce, output is 6.5-liter V12 is increased to 750 horsepower, and dry weight is reduced 110 pounds, to 3,472, compared to the standard Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster. Hitting 60 miles per hour takes less than three seconds, and the roadster will top out at over 217 mph. Removing the roof is the same as the non-SV Roadster. There are two roof panels, each weighing 13 pounds, that stow nicely inside the luggage compartment. The power rear window goes down, as well, to let in all that awesome V12 Lambo growl. Only 500 examples of the Aventador SV Roadster will be made. The first cars will be delivered early next year, retailing for $530,075 in the United States. Of course, if you have the means, then by all means. Related Video: Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster makes global debut in California, USA Sant'Agata Bolognese/Carmel, Calif. 14th August 2015 -- Automobili Lamborghini unveils the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster in occasion of the Monterey Car week in California. The Roadster, presented at the famous event 'The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering', is available in a limited series of 500 units worldwide and is the first series- produced, open-top Lamborghini to bear the name Superveloce. ''The Superveloce is the purest, most sports-oriented and fastest series production Lamborghini ever. The Roadster version represents our commitment to satisfying our passionate clients with immensely emotional driving dynamics combined with an extraordinary open air experience,'' Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini said during the press conference at The Quail. As a member of Lamborghini's storied Superveloce family, the car offers greater performance with a power increase of 50 hp to 750 hp and a dry weight of 1,575 kg (3,472 lb), that is 50 kg (110 lbs) lighter compared to the Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster.