The time has come for Lamborghinis turn the page and say goodbye to its historic V12 enginebut not without a final greeting: before fully committing itself to the production of hybrid models, the Italian brand has announced the launch of two sports single-seaters –lump sumin English–, Invincible and Authentic, which put the finishing touch on an entire era marked by this naturally aspirated block as the sole engine for its most important cars.

Designed at the Lamborghini Style Center, The Lamborghini Invencible and Autentica are respectively a coupe and a roadster. They are based on the Aventador platform, which is also going through its end of the road these days, although they also take elements from other models such as the Veneno -an extreme derivative of the latter–, the Reventón or the super-light Sesto Elemento.

In this sense, the feeling of homage to the recent history of the V12 is in the air, even if the brand has the task of making it clear that nostalgia is not the only thing that has mobilized them when they think of these cars. “We created two lump sum with its character, inspired by the track days and the universe of the main circuits of the world”, explained the Design Director of LamborghinisMitja Borkert.

This can be seen, for example, in the carbon fiber monocoque that it borrows from the Aventador, but also in its bodywork, which adds technologies and designs that Lamborghini has applied to its racing models – the bonnet, for example, is of the Essence SCV12–.

But the protagonist is the engine, e in both cases, the V12 in question is a 6.5-litre mounted longitudinally at the rearwhat’s wrong the honor of being the most powerful ever used by Lamborghini in a road car: for both it delivers a power of 780 HP and 720 Nm of torque at 6,750 rpm, associated with a seven-speed ISR automatic gearbox and an all-wheel drive system with Lamborghini Dynamic Steering technology.

The results of having such equipment are evident: both the Lamborghini Invincible and the Autentica they can reach a maximum speed of 355 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds.

In terms of aesthetics, the Invincible roadster is finished on the outside in red Hephaestus red, and the Autentica roadster in “Grigio Titans” gray. Inside, both are dominated by carbon fiber and clean, almost minimalist lines, the former with Rosso Alala leather and Nero Cosmus Alcantara upholstery and the latter with the same material but in Nero Ade.

The V12, present from day one

“The V12 engine is one of the pillars of our history and of the success of our brand,” summarized the president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann. And no wonder: since 1963 it has been the heart of its supercar catalog – and also an SUV like the LM002–, thus becoming one of the jewels in the history of the house from Sant’Agata Bolognese.

Designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, its debut came with none other than Lamborghini’s first outing, the 350 GT. It was intended to be a “re-educated” racing engine to perform well on public roads: with a displacement of 3.5 liters it delivered 270 HP, a significant figure for the time.

On the 350 it started mounted at 60º in front, even if, with its evolution, this too has been modified: to push the Lamborghini Miurafor example, rotated 90º in transverse orientation in the central sector, and from Countdown it has moved on its axis another 90º towards a central and rear longitudinal position.

The technical concepts of this V12 were so important that its second and last project, launched only in 2011 and for Fanit was built from scratch and meant a step forward in terms of technology and reliability, yes, but strictly respecting the spirit of the original.

The requests in terms of efficiency and emissions, however, have led the Italian manufacturer to announce its end after 60 years, at least as the only engine: the new stage will lead Lamborghini towards the field of hybridization and the mix of petrol engines with electric the first chapter of which is imminent and is expected during this quarter.