Car of the Week: This 2014 Lamborghini Is One of Only 3 Built. Now It’s up for Grabs.
There are Lamborghinis, and then there are Lamborghinis. The early cars—those made from 1964 through the 1970s—account for the lion’s share of collectibles wearing the badge of the bull, while everything made later describes the character arc of Lamborghini as it gained dominance within the supercar segment. By the time the 21st century rolled around, and Audi (under the Volkswagen Group) gained control of the brand, the course was set for Ferruccio Lamborghini’s grand vision to move forward—and faster than ever before.
The notion of a limited-edition Lamborghini was probably never even considered by the automaker’s founder or the twenty-somethings (Giampaolo Dallara, Paolo Stanzani, Bob Wallace, and designer Marcello Gandini) he employed in the nascent days of the company. But the Volkswagen Group ushered in an era of volume manufacturing, relative to the trickle of cars made by the Raging Bull marque during the first 40 years. The Lamborghini Diablo gave way to the 2001 Murciélago, and with the 2011 Aventador, car production achieved numbers never dreamt of when Sant’Agata Bolognese was still a sleepy agricultural town.
More from Robb Report
This Rare 1984 Lamborghini Is the Countach's Forgotten Sibling. It's Now Heading to Auction.
The New Lamborghini Urus Is the Marque's Most Powerful SUV Ever
One of the rarest Lamborghinis made so far this century is being offered through SBX Cars, the global online-auction platform owned and operated by automotive influencer Alex Hirschi and her husband Nik. (Alex is better known to her 110 million internet and social media followers as Supercar Blondie.) From May 1 through May 15, bids will be accepted on the site for this otherworldly 2014 Lamborghini Veneno coupé. One of only three examples built (plus a prototype retained by the factory), it has only 130 miles logged on its odometer.
Lamborghini called its radical Veneno “The racing prototype for the road.” Developed to celebrate the marque’s 50th anniversary, it was a sensation at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. It was followed a year later by the Veneno Roadster, of which nine examples were ultimately built. (SBX Cars closes bidding for one of the latter on May 1.)
At the heart of both models is the Aventador’s 6.5-liter, naturally aspirated V-12 engine, developing 740 hp and 509 ft lbs of torque at 5,500 rpm. A single-clutch, seven-speed automated transmission drives all four wheels. As for the carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, it hangs aluminum subframes at either end, using the Aventador’s pushrod suspension.
The carbon-fiber body was sculpted to optimize downforce, evident from the huge rear wing, deep rear diffusor, and full air management of the underbody. Such serious attention to aerodynamic principles helps give the Veneno a top speed of 221 mph. The visual shock and awe inspired by the Veneno is perhaps unmatched by any Lamborghini in memory. The shape was designed by Filippo Perini and Michele Tinazzo. Aside from the late, great Marcello Gandini, Perini is the most prolific designer in the company’s history, with the Murciélago, Aventador, Hurácan, and Urus (among other models) to his credit.
Finished in Grigio Metalluro with a red stripe, this Veneno, which sold for about $4 million when new, is certain to be the lynchpin of any modern supercar collection. Yet what it will now fetch at auction, a decade after it left the factory, is anyone’s guess.
Click here for more photos of this 2014 Lamborghini Veneno.
Best of Robb Report
Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
