14.11.2012 LAMBORGHINI'S SESTO ELEMENTO GRABS THE LIMELIGHT AT SYDNEY MOTOR SHOW

LAMBORGHINI SESTO ELEMENTO

Lamborghini's carbon fibre technology showcasing concept sports car from two years ago, the Sesto Elemento, turned up in Sydney and proved to be one of the big star draws of the motor show.

LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO SPYDER PERFORMANTE

Alongside the dramatic Sesto Elemento concept, Lamborghini also showed off production versions of the Gallardo and Aventador in Sydney.

With all Fiat brands failing to make an appearance at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, it’s been left to Lamborghini to fly the flag on behalf of the Italian car industry. The supercar manufacturer didn’t disappoint, showcasing three cars on press day, including one of the undisputed stars of the show – the remarkable Sesto Elemento, which was introduced by the Commercial Director of Automobili Lamborghini SpA, Australian Fintan Knight.

“Growing up in Australia, I found a lot of similarities to the Lamborghini brand,” Knight told the assembled media throng. “Australia, for me, was a country of opportunity; of courageous entrepreneurialism; of risk-taking; and, of course, the competitive fighting spirit. And these are the things that fit very much with Lamborghini.”

Knight described his experience driving one of the 20 Sesto Elementos produced by Lamborghini at the Nardo test track a fortnight beforehand. “The Sesto Elemento is the most significant concept prototype available for purchase on the world market today,” he explained. “It’s significant because of [its] massive use of multiple carbonfibre technologies. And whilst the automotive industry fights against the endless spiral of weight, at Lamborghini we have... the most advanced research and development and manufacturing facilities for carbonfibre in the supercar sector in the north of Italy.”

The Sesto Elemento was present only for the first few days of the show, before being flown out to appear at engagements in Asia and the Middle East. In its place, showgoers could instead see the Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder, making its Oceanic debut. Its appearance gives the Australian public their first official look at this new, ‘entry-level’ supercar, ahead of its on-sale date later this year.

The Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder is the only convertible rear-wheel-drive variant in the Lamborghini’s current lineup, and was inspired by Valentino Balboni, the automotive legend who was Lamborghini’s test driver for over 40 years.

Making its second official appearance in Australia following its debut at last year’s Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne, the Aventador LP700-4 is another highlight of the Lamborghini stand. The specific car on the stand was worthy of particular note – it is the same car used by the Nolan brothers in the new Batman film, ‘The Dark Knight Rises’.

Since its introduction last year, the spectacular Aventador, which retails for over three-quarters of a million dollars in Australia, has achieved outstanding sales success. “It’s broken all of our sales expectations,” Knight said. “In a little over a year, we’ve delivered more than 1,000 Aventadors [globally], and – frustratingly for many – the waiting period for the car is still 18 months.”

The stand is rounded out by the open-topped Gallardo Superleggera Performante, described by Knight as a lightweight “racecar for the road”.
 

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© 2012 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed