Automotive

2018 Audi A5 & S5: Performance Meets Design

Audi is an interesting company. They’re not consistently right, year after year, but when they do get it right, they really knock it out of the stadium. Ask Walter Rohrl or Michelle Mouton. Ask anyone who’s gone up against an R8 on a rainy stretch of road.

Further, look at Audi’s 5 series.

The 5 models, the A5 and higher performing S5, are in a very difficult arena: The sport coupe market. It’s crowded. The margins are thin. It’s hard to stand out. It’s all too easy to go for bland; bland styling, bland performance, bland epitaphs on your product’s headstone.

First Impressions

Audi confidently strode into this ring the same way they rolled on to the grid at Le Mans. The 5 showed up like Roddy Piper in They Live. The A5 and S5 were there to kick some and chew bubblegum, and they were all out of bubble gum.

When they debuted, I was living in Seattle (a hot bed for Audis, given the obviously poor driving conditions 460 days of the year). I saw them in the press. Then, seemingly 24 minutes later, I saw them on the roads. They were everywhere. They were silver or gray or black. They were hauling it across the 520 (final destination: Microsoft campus) in a miserable drizzle. They were all piloted by guys that looked like junior marketing execs with attitudes – hey, nobody’s perfect, not even Audi. Besides, a sale is a sale.

And now, here we are, some years later, and the Ingolstadt company is still on a roll with their mid-sized coupes. Ta-dah: The new 2018 Audi A5 and S5. In a lot of ways, they’re like their original antecedent, but better.

Design Language

Audi says they have retained the “classic design details.” Leave it to Audi to call their original, first gen design that’s only a few years old as “classic.” Don’t pat yourself on the back too hard Audi, you’ll dislocate a shoulder. They point out how the new cars retain the original power dome and the “wave-design” shoulder line, speaking of shoulders. Both of which are good details, and the shoulders are rather handsome.

And that little wave trick does take away any chance of it looking slab-sided and clumsy.

There’s a slew of standard goodies too.

There’s standard Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights or available full LED headlights and standard LED taillights with dynamic rear turn signals. Not sure what’s dynamic about them, but I’m guessing it’s something like Mercury Cougars had back in 1970. Only German!

18-inch 10-spoke-dynamic design wheels with all-season tires are standard but 19-inch multi-spoke design wheels with contrasting gray/polished finish are available on A5 models. The S5 gets standard 18-inch Audi Sport 5-double-spoke-star design wheels with summer performance tires. Or you can choose 19-inch 5-spoke-Cavo design wheels with contrasting gray/polished finish when you go with the performance model.

The standard perks continue in the cabin as well.

Interior Layout

There’s a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with shift paddles on the A5; three-spoke multi-function flat-bottom sport steering wheel with shift paddles on the S5, because race cars have flat bottom steering wheels, and one wants to feel racy. Doesn’t one? Oh, and get used to the shift paddles, all you whining luddites decrying the lack of a stick. Deal with the change. Deal. There were people like you 50 years ago whining about transmissions going fully synchromesh. Sheesh!

The three-zone automatic climate control with wing-design, wrap-around dashboard and diffuser air vents is also standard. I’m assuming that third zone is for the passengers trapped, er, wadded, er, cozily ensconced in the rear “seats.”

Speaking of seats, the driver’s seat is eight-way power with four-way power lumbar adjustments on the A5. Standard, natch. The S5 gets S sport seats with contrast diamond stitching, pneumatic side bolsters, and massage function. Also standard. Also natch. There’s a standard panoramic sunroof that adds light to the cabin – and also adds weight, way up high. But I won’t go on a Colin Chapman inspired rant about weight and performance. Oh no. Not me.

Ambient LED lighting is standard; there is also an ambient LED lighting plus package with 30 color settings available if you want to go full Pink Floyd Lazarium I guess.

Finally, there are standard Aluminum Trimaran inlays. Last I checked, a trimaran was a kind of sailboat, but whatevs, I’m a sucker for the styling power of aluminum. If you’re not, there’s also High-gloss Dark Brown Walnut Wood or Natural Gray Oak inlays available on the A5 and standard brushed Aluminum or available Carbon Atlas inlays on the S5.

Now, roll up your sleeves and pick the grease out from under your nails, and follow me to the engine bay, por favor.

Similar to the previous generation, the 2018 Audi S5 has available sport adaptive damping suspension with a new suspension control unit. This unit houses the software for suspension and damping control plus the sensors for measuring acceleration and yaw rates. Additionally, the 2018 Audi S5 has a dynamic steering system. It acts as a variable steering ratio and adjusts based on vehicle speed and/or the Audi drive select setting. Photo: Audi of America.

Engine & Powertrain

Underneath that Hugo Boss-like aluminum skin is where things get interesting. For starters, there’s two new engines available. There’s a TFSI four-cylinder plant in the A5 and a big whomper of a TFSI V6 for the S5.

The A5 is equipped with a 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder engine, coupled with either a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. Okay, forget what I said about the lack of a stick earlier. My bad. Sorry. But still, get the dual clutch with the paddle shifters, you bulgy browridge’d luddites. Anyway, said engine cranks out 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque, which is good enough for a sprint to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds for the S tronic; 5.7 seconds for the manual.

And that’s the “normal” model, if you will. The standard Audi drive select actually has four different modes that change up the car’s personality: comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual.

The S5, on the other hand, comes with a completely new 3.0 TFSI V6 mill reeling out 354 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque. Impressive, no? 0-60? How does 4.4 seconds sound? Sounds good to me. The 2018 S5 is also available with an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission that is “well suited for the low end torque of the new 3.0-liter TFSI engine,” according to Audi.

Available sport suspension on the 2018 Audi A5 lowers ride height by approximately 23 mm and utilizes different tubular anti-roll bars, dampers, and linear-rate springs. Available comfort adaptive damping suspension lowers ride height by 10 mm and uses continuous electronic damper control to enable the various suspension and damping combinations that make up the Audi drive select modes. Photo: Audi of America.

Quattro Magic

And, as with all Audis since time immemorial (or at least since the late 70s), all of the 5 models come standard with quattro all-wheel drive. A5 models equipped with the S tronic transmission and S5 models with the Tiptronic automatic put the grunt to the tarmac via a self-locking center diff, with a basic ratio of 40:60 front to rear, and wheel-selective torque control.

Any of the six-speed manual cars offer the new quattro with “ultra” technology. (Really? You registered the syllable “ultra” as a trademark?) There’s an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch along with a decoupling rear axle differential that gives you fully variable torque distribution. This system proactively modifies the torque application according to the road conditions or driver demands.

The S5 with the S sport package and quattro sport differential will actively split torque between the wheels of the rear axle, with the ability to direct nearly all torque to one wheel. It’s sort of like the Ferrari E-Diff that applies power differences laterally and on the fly to help you turn in and corner better.

Price? Audi doesn’t say. But you know what Gatsby said: “the rich are different from you and me, Nick,” and you know he’s right. Probably not too bad on the final tab, but still, it won’t be cheap.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

2018 Audi A5 Gallery

2018 Audi S5 Gallery

Audi Performance Charts & Figures

Photos & Source: Audi of America.

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Letter From The UK: Car Production In Crisis

Letter From The UK: Car Production In Crisis As production thins from an ongoing Brexit debate, the future looks uncertain.
How will the auto industry in the UK weather the current storm; is there a silver lining?
Geoff Maxted of DriveWrite Automotive Magazine examines in this Letter From The UK.
With the industrial problems of the 20th Century long forgotten, it seemed as if Great Britain had secured a strong and burgeoning future for the car industry with the likes of Nissan, Toyota, and Honda among the foreign brands building cars in the UK. Alongside them are Mini, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover and Vauxhall, despite this latter group being original British brands but now all foreign owned these days; but the cars are at least still made in Britain. Things were looking good and jobs seemed secure.
Then we had the Brexit vote.
Drop In Production: The Brexit Quagmire
Sadly our politicians and their European counterparts had other ideas. We are, like a man trapped in quicksand, now firmly stuck in the gloopy Brexit quagmire of confusion and uncertainty. It’s had a knock-on effect too: Official figures show UK car output fell 14 percent in March of this year. Only 126,195 cars were made. That’s the 10th consecutive monthly drop, thanks to the combined issues of a slowdown in foreign markets like China, and of course the Brexit insecurity, whether justified or not.
Not for the first time, the industry has repeated its warning that the sector stands to suffer a lot more if the country leaves the European Union without a deal, pointing to exports which account for nearly four out of every five cars made in Britain, being down by 13 percent. Further they predict output would fall in 2019 to 1.36 million vehicles from 1.52 million last year and that’s assuming, in their view – and, for balance, it is an opinion that is not universal – that some form of transitional deal with the EU is done.
Bentley employs over 4000 people at its Pyms Lane headquarters in Crewe, Cheshire. On average, it takes 130 hours to build a Bentley Bentayga (pictured here) and every vehicle on the production line undergoes a 500 to 650 point checklist before the final sign off. The Pyms Lane factory in Crewe has been the home of Bentley since 1946. Photo: Bentley Motors.
Continued Slowdown: One Hard April
April figures continued to show a decline across most sectors with registrations of the ever popular super-mini and small family car segments surprisingly low. Even zero-emission, plug-in hybrids experienced a significant decline. It has to be serious when the most popular vehicle types take a hit.
It wasn’t that long ago the motor industry was on track to produce two million new vehicles annually by 2020. That aim now seems impossible with our international reputation as a stable and attractive business environment undermined. Thus the forecast, should we rely on World Trade Organization rules which may include import tariffs when trading with the EU, is grim: a strong reduction in builds and the added consequence of damage to employment.
Of course, nobody really knows which way the pendulum will swing; the industry may ride out the storm, but from the cheap seats, it is not looking good.
Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
Related: The Brexit debate is causing confusion for the automotive industry.
Waiting With Bated Breath
And so we wait, making sure not to hold our breath for a speedy resolution. The UK government has delayed the Brexit deadline until October to try and resolve this thorny issue. If our dithering politicians and the negotiators on the other side of the channel are to sort this out, then they need to pull a rabbit from the hat a bit sharpish. It is after all a matter of economics when you come down to it, and we can but hope they see it because it affects us all.
Questioning The Future
The British people have lost faith in their leaders. Major government sponsored projects like the North-South High-Speed Railway (known as HS2), the Crossrail metro in London, and even a new emergency radio system are delayed and way over budget. The level of incompetence at the top is staggering, yet they are blind to it all. No wonder the motor industry doesn’t know what to do next.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite

Cover Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.

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AutoSens Detroit 2019 Begins This Week With Major Announcement

AutoSens Detroit 2019 Begins This Week With Major Announcement AutoSens, a leading and influential global summit on autonomous driving, is returning to Detroit.
Technical sessions and presentations from from Microsoft, Sony, General Motors, and MIT are planned.
AutoSens takes aim at the biggest challenges facing autonomous driving by encouraging collaboration.
As AutoSens Detroit 2019 begins, conference organizers say they are now expanding to a third location.
The Michigan Science Center will host AutoSens Detroit 2019 as the global conference on autonomous driving returns to the Motor City starting today, May 14th. Attendees, speakers, sponsors, and participants leverage each other’s expertise during the event, which examines the biggest challenges facing self-driving and vehicle perception technology. AutoSens serves as a venue for engineers, researchers, and other experts in the field, and provides them a detailed picture of what is happening across the industry.
“The challenge of the automotive industry is to design computers and robots that can perform tasks better than humans can, while also causing minimal disruption to a system that will include human-driven vehicles for many decades to come,” said Robert Stead, Managing Director, Sense Media, the parent company of AutoSens. “It’s no easy task.”
Auto Sens Detroit 2019 Agenda
AutoSens Detroit returns with another robust agenda for conference attendees. Highlights include the opening plenary with presentations from the U.S. Highway Loss Data Institute on the impact of current ADAS technologies on road safety. Technical workshops include a session from Osram about infra-red sensing and a hands-on demonstration from 3M regarding material-sensor interaction systems. Microsoft will host a tutorial on the Robot Operating System, while DeepScale will present energy-efficient approaches to autonomous driving.
“The technical presentations focus on these topics, but we also cover the wider issues facing development of ADAS and autonomous vehicles in the conference plenary sessions that open and close the event,” Stead explained. “This might include the regulatory, financial, or legal context for the development of vehicle perception systems.”
Keynote for AutoSens Detroit this year is Ed Bernardon, VP of Strategic Automotive Initiatives at Siemens. Bernardon will examine how autonomous technology will impact the future of transportation. In preparation, he and his team interviewed experts working on 3D-printed autonomous shuttles, intelligent traffic systems, and even flying cars. In addition, technical presentations from General Motors, Changan, Aptiv, Daimler, NVIDIA, Valeo, Sony, and TomTom are planned. Academic sessions include those hosted by Wayne State University, University of South Carolina, and MIT.
AutoSens Detroit attendees prepare for a self-driving vehicle demonstration as part of the event last year. A track was set up on the campus of Wayne State University where attendees could experience the technology firsthand. Photo: Alex Hartman for Sense Media.
For Engineers, By Engineers
Different than other conferences and events on autonomous driving, AutoSens keeps its focus on the engineering community. By combining cutting-edge academic research, industry R&D, and OEM insights, AutoSens is an invaluable resource for those in the field, and why it remains the world’s most influential summit on autonomous driving.
“Engineers can ‘take the boxing gloves off’ and just be engineers and scientists working on shared challenges and pursuing high-quality technical work,” Stead said. “We strive for high-quality technical presentations at AutoSens every year, so all attendees will go back to their office or lab with some new solutions, food for thought, or novel information.”
Between two yearly events (Detroit, Michigan and Brussels, Belgium), AutoSens draws in over 1,000 engineers and technical experts throughout the world to network, collaborate, and ultimately address the biggest challenges facing autonomous driving.
“AutoSens exists simply to support and help engineers and scientists, and when we hear stories from attendees about the new people they met, the things they learned, the business connections made – that’s what keeps us motivated,” Stead continued. “It’s about creating a meeting place and community that can be a catalyst for others, in their pursuit of good science.”
Attendees sit in during one of the many technical presentations that took place at AutoSens Detroit last year. The conference will return to the Michigan Science Center beginning on May 14th. Photo: Alex Hartman for Sense Media.
AutoSens Hong Kong 2020
With the success of AutoSens in both Europe and North America, the conference is now seeing increased demand from the automotive industry and corresponding technology sectors. As a result, a third conference in Hong Kong is set to join Detroit and Brussels next year. Organizers say Asia is an important market for autonomous technology, and an international hub for engineers, researchers, and other automotive experts. Hong Kong, with its accessible transport links, allows visitors from across the Asian continent; as well as international attendees the chance to examine autonomous vehicle technology and its impact on the Asian market.
“AutoSens has quickly established itself as the event in this space to see, hear and meet the key companies and people that matter in the autonomous vehicle sector,” said Rudy Burger, Managing Partner, Woodside Capital Partners, and frequent AutoSens speaker. “Launching a third edition in Hong Kong is an exciting and valuable proposition for the industry.”
“I can’t think of a better combination,” added Abhay Rai, VP of Product Marketing, Visteon. “The latest innovations from Asia, the backdrop of one of the world’s most famous cities, and the global AutoSens community convening for the latest addition to the world-class event series.”

Continued Industry Support For Hong Kong
More than a year and a half out, AutoSens Hong Kong already has a number of highly invested stakeholders. Expert advisory board members include representation from Aptiv, Byton, Valeo, Visteon, and Robert Bosch with founding partners from top companies such as Visteon, IAV Automotive Engineering, Siemens, OmniVision, Kalray, ON Semiconductor, Viavi, Woodside Capital Partners, and XenomatiX.
“We are incredibly proud to announce 13 founding partners and advisory supporters,” Stead said. “It’s very encouraging to see the level of support that’s been shown upon sharing our vision for the next phase of the AutoSens journey.”
Organizers will take the rest of the year to develop the agenda for AutoSens Hong Kong, but say attendees can expect sessions on sensor hardware, image processing, driver monitoring, computer vision, and regulatory challenges among others. AutoSens Hong Kong will feature over 300 delegates, 45 speakers, and nearly 12 hours of networking. The conference is set for November 2020.
“We are already dedicating significant resources to building momentum in Asia, and to see the recognition of these efforts by such a high level of early support is testament to our brand, achievements, and reputation to deliver,” Stead continued. “We place a high value on the confidence shown to us by our customers, and we are committed to delivering above and beyond.”

Tickets, Location & More Information for AutoSens Detroit 2019
AutoSens Detroit 2019 begins today Tuesday, May 14th at the Michigan Science Center and runs through the 16th. Organizers say they are happy to see so many returning exhibitors alongside plenty of new brands. A demonstration event is also planned for the 14th, where attendees can take laps in vehicles equipped with autonomous technology.
Tickets, including discount packages for females in the engineering community, are available now.
“AutoSens is all about nurturing the global community of bright minds who are driving forward this revolution in automotive,” Stead said. “A truly international audience will assemble in downtown Detroit to collaborate and learn from each other’s experiences, meet new people, and catch up with old friends.”

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This New Suite Package At The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills Is Just Too Cool

This New Suite Package At The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills Is Just Too Cool Perhaps you and your sweetheart were busy for Valentine’s Day but still want to celebrate your love? Or, perhaps, you need a break from all the snow? Well, it might be fitting to look into the “Live Aston Martin” suite package at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. Through this unique booking, guests receive exclusive access to an Aston Martin to cruise through Beverly Hills with.
“This is the perfect venue for current and prospective clients to indulge in the spirit of LA’s car culture by driving one of the world’s most beautiful cars amid a luxurious backdrop,” said Laura Schwab, President of Aston Martin the Americas.
Zoom Service
The Aston Martins on offer for hotel guests include the DB11 grand-tourer, the most powerful model of the DB lineage. The DB11’s new 4.0-liter twin turbocharged V8 cranks out 503 horsepower and 513 lb-ft. of torque. It hits 62 in just 4 seconds, with a top speed of 187 mph. Not too bad huh? Guests can also opt for the Vanquish S, which originates from Aston Martin’s historic Works in Newport Pagnell.
“Inviting travelers to create unforgettable memories through one-of-a-kind offerings, like access to exclusive Aston Martin sports cars, speaks to our team’s dedication to providing legendary service,” explained Vanessa Williams, Director of Sales and Marketing, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.
“It’ll certainly add an unforgettable dose of adrenaline to the hotel stay,” Schwab said.
Photo: Aston Martin The Americas.
Apparel & Merchandise
Near the lobby is the Aston Martin pop-up store, which features an extensive collection of clothing, accessories, gifts, and other collectibles. Among the Aston Martin-themed items are sunglasses, model cars, posters, keyrings, hats, backpacks, suitcases, and mugs. There is plenty of racing gear and some of the items are even handmade.
Booking & Rewards
The Live Aston Martin package is available until March 31st and can be booked through the Waldorf Astoria’s website. Guests can also take advantage of any additional benefits as Hilton Honors members. The rewards program offers a number of perks, including a Personal Concierge service and complimentary Wi-Fi.
“At Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, we look forward to offering our guests the best in hospitality,” Williams said.
If you do this, please let us know on Twitter so we can retweet any photos you take.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Live Aston Martin Package Gallery

Photos & Source: Aston Martin The Americas.

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Lexus Bringing New Concepts & Technology to NAIAS

The North American International Auto Show begins next week at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan, and Lexus will have a new display. The automaker will showcase their latest technology, engineering, and safety through an interactive experience for attendees.

The focal point for Lexus is the all-new, fifth-generation 2018 LS flagship sedan, making its world debut this year at NAIAS. Interestingly enough, the LS first premiered in Detroit in 1989, signifying the birth of Lexus. The new LS is expected to have an impressive ride, dynamic performance, and increased comfort.

According to Lexus, it has a “coupe-like silhouette that does not compromise interior roominess or visionary technology.”

The 2018 Lexus LS is constructed on an extended version of the automaker’s all-new global architecture for luxury vehicles, known as “GA–L” or “premium rear-wheel drive platform.” The same design is shared with the Lexus LC, which goes on sale this year, and represents much of the direction the brand is heading in terms of styling and performance.

Elsewhere in the Lexus display, visitors will find the UX Concept. The compact crossover first appeared in September at the Paris Motor Show and comes to North America for the first time in Detroit next week. The UX Concept is unique in how it blends the aggressive looks of a 4×4 with a ground clearance and driving position similar to most coupes.

The vehicle seats four and features a 3-D Human Machine Interface. The UX Concept will also highlight Lexus’ Kinetic Seat Concept, a design that functions ergonomically and operates strategically for a more comfortable driving position.

The North American International Auto Show begins next week with press and industry specific events, but opens to the public on January 14th. The Lexus exhibit will feature 14 vehicles across 18,120 sq. ft. of space.

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.

Photos & Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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Lamborghini Aventador S: Same Old Siren’s Song?

Since about the time of the Lamborghini Diablo, the Sant’Agata Bolognese based company has been fighting against the impression that their cars are engine first, last, and always.

And with their latest, the Aventador S, they go on at great length about the chassis, and aerodynamics this and that, to say “it’s not all about the engine.”

Codswallop.

Look. There’s a lot of cool tech throughout this newest Lambo, and I’ll get to that, but the only thing from their press materials that’s really going to have any true meaning is this:

“More powerful naturally aspirated V12 engine outputting 740 horsepower.”

For those of you lacking a sense of history (e.g. Americans) I’ll put that into perspective: That is about what an Indy car from the late 80s was cranking out. The thought that Lamborghini, along with their bosses at Audi (Audi bought the Italian company a while back (which is why their quality jumped noticeably 6 months later)), will gladly sell a car that is the road-going equivalent of an Indy car from not that long ago is simultaneously inspiring and alarming.

The Lamborghini Aventador’s naturally aspirated twelve cylinder, 6.5 liter engine creates over 500 lb-ft. of torque, with an additional 40 horsepower over its predecessor. Variable Valve Timing and a Variable Intake System are optimized for increased performance. Furthermore, maximum engine revs have been boosted from 8,350 to 8,500 rpm while a dry weight of just 3,472 lbs. provides excellent power-to-weight ratio. Photo: Automobili Lamborghini

Exercise Caution

Look, we (and I’ll speak for every last one of us here at Automoblog) would gladly, gladly, take the keys from any Lamborghini rep naive and trusting enough to hand them over to us. (If, by any chance you are a Lamborghini rep, please contact either Chris Burdick or Carl Anthony at this website. Thank you.) But we’re different. We are, after all, professionals.

We have been around cars like this most of our adult lives (if not longer) and the chances of us doing something monumentally stupid like wrapping a shiny red, brand new Lamborghini Aventador S around a telephone pole are much, much lower than most people. I think.

But to give, okay, sell (even at a stratospheric price) to just any rich guy with a swollen bank account and glands and a commensurately atrophied brain is sort of a disturbing prospect. Yes, there are all these very keen gizmos on the new V12 Lamborghini flagship designed to keep it stuck to the ground and pointed in a life-giving direction.

But technology can only do so much, although thankfully, Lamborghini has put a lot into play here.

The Lamborghini Aventador S has four different driving modes: STRADA, SPORT, CORSA, and a new EGO mode, which change the dynamics of the engine, transmission, steering, and suspension. STRADA is for daily use, SPORT gives an athletic, rear-wheel drive feel, and CORSA is meant for the track. EGO provides several additional and individual set-up profiles, based on a driver’s preferences. Preferred settings for things like traction, steering, and suspension within the STRADA, SPORT, and CORSA modes can be set. Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.

Athletic Agility

The Lamborghini Aventador S has a new four-wheel steering system, for example, that enhances lateral control and responsiveness, especially when taking corners. Yes, it’s the first time on a series production Lamborghini, but I also note that Ferrari rolled out a 4WS system on their TdF variant of the F12 Berlinetta (a car that’s a little long in the wheelbase). And since Lamborghini was founded on “to hell with Enzo, I can do it better myself!!” it’s not surprising to find it turning up here.

Besides, Lamborghini has traditionally been a little tail happy, so anything to keep the rear under control sounds like a good idea.

The system is said to provide improved agility at low and medium speeds and more stability at higher speeds. Yay. The front axle is specially adapted to integrate with the active Lamborghini Rear-wheel Steering (LRS) on the rear axle: two separate actuators react in five milliseconds to any steering movements, allowing a real-time angle and cornering stiffness adjustment.

When tooling around town, the rear wheels face in opposite direction to the steering angle of the fronts, thereby virtually reducing the wheelbase. You know, sort of like trucks on a skateboard. With less steering wheel angle required, the Aventador S is more agile with a reduced turning radius, ensuring higher performance in curves and making it easy to maneuver in town and at lower speeds.

At higher speeds though, both front and rear wheels share the same steering angle, thus virtually extending the wheelbase. Lamborghini says this provides increased stability, optimizing the responsiveness of the car. Effectively, this high speed four-wheel steering scheme means the car crabs a little on purpose.

Lamborghini’s updated pushrod and Lamborghini Magneto-rheological Suspension (LMS) provide “vertical control,” and are engineered to accommodate the new four-wheel steering. The new suspension geometry, optimized for Lamborghini Rear-wheel Steering, includes an upper and lower arm and wheel carrier to reduce caster and load on the system. A new real-time variable damping system optimizes wheel and body control, while ground stiffness is maximized. Lastly, new rear springs create additional balance for exceptional driving dynamics. Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.

Not So Much

Now, as far as the overall design and aerodynamics are concerned, the new Lamborghini Aventador S is subtle and refined and . . . sorry, who am I trying to kid. The Lamborghini Aventador S is, like all Lambos, about as subtle and refined as a meat axe.

Remember this crucial exchange between Bruce and Alfred from The Dark Night:

Alfred Pennyworth: Will you be wanting the Batpod, sir?

Bruce Wayne: In the middle of the day, Alfred? Not very subtle.

Alfred Pennyworth: The Lamborghini, then?

[with deadpan sarcasm]

Alfred Pennyworth: Much more subtle.

That is the design aesthetic that applies here.

The Aventador S features a number of exterior developments, particularly at the front and rear. Which follows if, aero-wise, you want to keep the thing stuck to the pavement. A more aggressive nose with a longer front splitter redirects airflow for better aerodynamic efficiency and cooling. The rear of the Aventador S is dominated by a black diffuser, which is available on request in carbon fiber because Lambo are a bunch of cheapskates and don’t just make it out of that from the get go.

The Lamborghini Aventador S features a new exhaust system developed through an extensive R&D project. It endured heavy testing in order to achieve the desired sound and properly resonate the engine notes of the V12. The new exhaust is 20 percent lighter and easily noticeable at the rear of the vehicle with its three pipe design. Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.

Angelically Fast

The new diffuser has a number of vertical fins that amplify the airflow, reduce drag through pressure recovery and, most importantly, generate downforce. Three single exhaust outlets exit through the rear bumper, and, c’mon, look totally cool. The rear wing is active, meaning it’s movable in three positions depending on speed and drive mode. It optimizes the car’s overall balance, and works with vortex generators at the front and rear of the underbody to maximize air flow as well as assist in brake cooling.

All this adds up to a downforce improvement of more than 130% over the previous Aventador. The overall efficiency at high downforce is improved by over 50%, and in low drag by more than 400% compared to the previous model. Impressive. All this adds up to a 0-100km/h dash in 2.9 seconds, and a top speed of 350 km/h, which translates to “alarmingly quick” and “angelically fast.”

In the words of Han Solo, “she’s fast enough for you old man.”

Or, in the words of Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali, “this is the next generation Aventador as well as the expression of new technological and performance milestones in super sports car development. The Aventador S is visionary design, cutting-edge technology, and driving dynamics in pure harmony, and elevates the concept of super sports cars to a new level.”

And yes, that would be the Stefano Domenicali that used to run Ferrari’s Grand Prix team. So he knows whence he speaks.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life around racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

Photos & Source: Automobili Lamborghini.

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