Lamborghini reveals brutal track-honed Essenza SCV12

LAMBORGHINI has ripped the covers off its track-only Essenza SCV12 supercar, a McLaren Senna-baiting V12 speed machine strictly limited to just 40 units worldwide.

The non-road-legal Essenza SCV12 is underpinned by a mid-mounted 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine tuned to produce more than 619kW, making it the most powerful V12 engine produced by Lamborghini to date.

Its output trumps that of the Aventador SVJ (556kW) and Sian (577kW), while no torque figure has been disclosed. For reference the Sian produces 720Nm.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels only via a six-speed sequential gearbox, which features push-rod rear suspension installed directly on the gearbox, a technology adopted from Lamborghini’s racing know-how.

The Essenza is the spiritual successor to the hardcore, one-off SC18 Alston, and as such features a number of extreme aerodynamic enhancements that make it as suited to track use as possible.

Lamborghini’s GT racing experience has fed directly into the aerodynamic design of the Essenza, which trumps the aerodynamic abilities of its GT3 car by producing a massive 1200kg of downforce at 250km/h.

At the front of the car, the hood has a double air intake with a central rib, which separates the hot airflow coming from the radiator and channels cold air to the roof-mounted airscoop.

A super-low front splitter adds frontal downforce, while at the side, vertical fins on the sills channel air to help cool the engine and gearbox.

The rear is highlighted by a massive fixed wing spoiler and equally sizeable rear diffuser, while mixed 19-inch front/20-inch rear magnesium wheels are shod in slick Pirelli rubber.

Stopping power comes courtesy of specially developed Brembo discs and callipers, which combine with the slick tyres to provide optimal stopping power.

Lamborghini has endeavoured to save as much weight as possible with the Essenza, featuring a power-to-weight ratio of 1.66hp per kilogram, thanks in part to the carbon-fibre monocoque chassis.

The brand is also claiming that the SCV12 is the first GT car developed to respect FIA prototype safety rules.

Inside, the Lambo monster is purely track-focused with no infotainment or display screens, racing bucket seats with four-point harnesses, an F1-style rectangular steering wheel and a number of dials and knobs to control all of the car’s engine and dynamic parameters.

With only 40 examples available, the Essenza SCV12 is already a super-exclusive proposition, and upon purchasing, owners will join a club giving them access to drive their Essenza SCV12 on a range of famous racetracks around the world, and includes a storage service in a hanger built in Sant’Agata Bolognese.

The track calendar will begin next year (COVID-19 restrictions notwithstanding) on a number of FIA Grade 1 homologated circuits. 

Through the first half of 2020, Lamborghini has sold 54 combined vehicles, down 42.6 per cent over the 94 it managed through the first half of 2019.