2015
THE QUAIL: A MOTORSPORTS GATHERING
this combination online, the contrast of the white body color with the black and red contrasting top colors just seems right in the mid- morning Monterey sun. Both subtle and extreme at the same time, the sharp contrast between the bianco and the nero gives this Aventador a sinister look. Alessandro Farmeschi comes up from behind me and jokingly offers his assistance in obtaining this car, pointing out the special Pirelli lettering on the tires. While im- pressed, I have come for what is boldly commanding center stage. Outfitted in Blu Le Mans, the Aventador Superveloce Road- ster makes its world debut at the Quail. This event has grown to the point that Lamborghini can use the venue to launch products and introduce new cars to their lucky customers who attend. The SV Roadster is the open-top version of Lamborghini’s fastest and most powerful car to date. Like its companion, the coupe, it is the most extreme version of the Aventador with performance num- bers to back up its bragging rights. Mr. Winkelmann had said earlier that morning during the unveiling: “The Superveloce is the purest, most sports-oriented, and fastest series production Lam- borghini ever. The Roadster version represents our commitment to satisfying our passionate clients with immensely emotional driving dynamics combined with an extraordinary open air ex- perience.” These well-chosen words are lost in the blazing blue color as all on stage regress into their early teens. Everything about this car is extreme. Carbon fiber exterior pieces adorn the body while an “in-your-face” wing perches at the rear of the car. The top is off, and the interior contrast of nero and rosso just
36 I La Vita Lamborghini I Fall 2015
works. Everything around the driver oozes speed with the volume dialed up to 11 just for good measure. I catch Mr. Winkelmann’s eye as he shows off the new offering to some potential buyers. There is a knowing grin on his face, and I digest the sharp edges and deep lines of the new Lamborghinis with my own eyes. Visually exhausted from the experience, my colleagues and I retreat to the adjacent refreshment tent for Italian specialties and a good helping of wine. Once satiated, we continue onward to view the nearby group of Ferrari F-40’s next to a Countach and Diablo. A walk around the perimeter of the event leads us to the new Ford GT and a group of seemingly out of place Pagani Huayras scattered around a central display. But my mind keeps wandering back to the SV. Luckily the layout at the Quail is small, and Lamborghini has a central stand. A quick trip back and we are once again viewing the Superveloce in all its glory. Of course, the proximity to the food and drink tents always helps the experience. As the day winds down at the Quail Lodge and the afternoon sun gives the cars a fresh look, we take one more lap around the displays and then drive toward the main road. But Lamborghini has a surprise in store! Test drives are available, leaving on regular intervals, for those who were signed up by their authorized dealer. A line of Huracáns stalk an Aventador as one of the Lamborghini test drivers takes a group of clients out on the open road for a spin. A quick run to the east and onto a twisting mountain road allows these supercars to stretch their legs.
After some refreshments and a quick presentation, it is our
turn. Winding up the RPMs and closing in on the lead driver in a spirited run, the car’s performance matches the image. As the cars settle down back at the Lodge, we acknowledge that it has been a perfect day accentuated by adrenalin at the end. The day winds down, and we head over the hill and back to Monterey in a steady line of traffic for dinner and tall tales of bravado and eye candy. LA VITA
A 1979 Countach LP400S on the Quail Lodge lawn
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