First impressions driving the new SV

I got a chance to drive the new SV yesterday just before it was loaded on a truck and sent back out. It was in town for an event I was hosting with some of the senior management team from Lamborghini. The team brought three cars to the event, the LP670-SV, the LP650 and the LP560 Spyder. First I'll say the LP650 looks a lot better in person and there are some style details that really set it off. I think it will do well.

 

As for the SV, first I'll skip the superlatives and get to the point as I hate meaningless automotive jargon.

 

My frame of reference is my LP640 Roadster with the OC exhaust. I drove the SV in both standard and Corsa mode and I drove about a ten mile loop with the car. I've written before about how much I like the looks and I still loved it when I saw it again, now five months later. The car I saw in Italy was orange and so was this one and both had the large wing.

 

The doors felt different because of the CF inserts and felt lighter when closing. The seats were relatively comfortable but I'd prefer ordering the car with the standard seats for more adjustments even thought there is a weight penalty. These seats would work for short drives but not be pleasant for more than a few hours, but that's just me. I like to recline a bit more. The car is quieter when compared to cars with the OC exhaust and that would probably be my one and only mod to the car.

 

My initial impressions were that in lower RPMs my car felt a little more powerful and I'm guessing that was either due to the differences between the OC exhaust and what come standard in the SV. As soon as I hit about 5,000 RPM, the SV really takes off and comes alive. The car just sings. I felt a substantial gain in HP in the higher RPM when compared to my LP640 but my impressions, given the distance I was driving, may be anecdotal and the only way to know for sure would be to dyno the two.

 

The car felt extremely stable and rock solid at high speeds above 70 MPH, probably due to the big wing. I was impressed by how responsive it felt through the steering wheel as if I was driving a smaller car. You could definitely feel the reduction in overall weight. It felt as if was more nimble at all speeds. The car felt extremely well balanced and very stiff, far more rigid than my roadster. I wanted another LP coup owner to drive just to compare our impressions but the car had to be back on truck heading somewhere else.

 

The question people are going to ask, especially those who already own a Murc or LP640 is if it is worth the extra money and in my opinion it is. In the end when comparing options the real price difference isn't all that much and the gain in performance is something most of us would be willing to pay when modifying our existing cars. To me, this car with an OC exhaust would be an amazing combination. I personally still love a roadster as a first choice because of the noise, the air, and the overall experience of an open top car, but if I were considering an LP640 coup, I'd definitely go with the SV instead. I found no negatives what so ever except for the lack of adjustments in the seats. It's otherwise another substantial performance leap forward for Lamborghini. The car definitely gets my respect.

 

 

Excellent write up Tommy. I loved the orange car. I agree with the exhaust, imho it needs an OC or MS exhaust. I was actually disapointed in how quiet it sounded when one of the test drivers decided to floor it on the outside street of the Lambo factory. However it does sounds better than a stock LP640, it is still way too quiet.

 

Comparing apples to apples, in the end you aren't paying that much more to go from an LP640 to an SV.

Lucky Bastard Glad you enjoyed it.

Excellent! Thanks for the info.

Where are the pics at?!

uhh.........

pictures for a test drive report? dorks Thanks for the writeup, good to hear the perspective from someone who has played with both of the newer models.

Tom,

 

Thanks again for setting up this event! It was spectacular!!!! For those looking for pictures, here are some that a one our local guys made:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/apexrally/set...923130809/show/

 

Mike

 

Alright, it's official: Nothing absolutely ruins a perfectly gorgeous Lamborghini like Cordelia wheels.

 

Tom,

 

Thanks again for setting up this event! It was spectacular!!!! For those looking for pictures, here are some that a one our local guys made:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/apexrally/set...923130809/show/

 

Mike

 

great write up and pics

 

the SV is bad a$$ and that interior is perfect

 

the 650 has perfect exterior and the combo of Grigio Telesto and Orange is stunning

Nice writeup!

 

Too bad I couldn't make it up there this weekend.

Hey Tommy, how are the seats (in width) compared to the standard Lambo seats?

Nice writeup!

 

Too bad I couldn't make it up there this weekend.

 

Yea, you'd have had a great time!!! It could not have been a better event. The police escort on motorcycles was nuts! They would roll with us in the left lane and motion all oncoming cars to pull over, often at over 100 MPH, and sometimes looking like a giant game of chicken in the process. Seeing them work was really amazing and I have a new respect for their riding skills. We had a camera mounted on one of the motorcycles but the mount itself sheered off.

Hey Tommy, how are the seats (in width) compared to the standard Lambo seats?

 

Hey D! I found the seats a little narrow in places. It really does feel like a true "bucket" seat. I'm 5'9 and 190 lbs., so I'm not tiny and while it was okay, the lack of adjustments would get to me on long drives. The weight difference wouldn't matter enough to me to make it worth giving up the comfort in my existing LP seats. I think you will be thrilled with the car overall. I think with an OC or similar exhaust, it will be a real bad-ass car. One other thing I didn't mention. The car did feel a little smoother at high speeds than my car. It could be related to the difference between a coup and roadster, but it felt more suspension related and less to do with the body itself.

Hey D! I found the seats a little narrow in places. It really does feel like a true "bucket" seat. I'm 5'9 and 190 lbs., so I'm not tiny and while it was okay, the lack of adjustments would get to me on long drives. The weight difference wouldn't matter enough to me to make it worth giving up the comfort in my existing LP seats. I think you will be thrilled with the car overall. I think with an OC or similar exhaust, it will be a real bad-ass car. One other thing I didn't mention. The car did feel a little smoother at high speeds than my car. It could be related to the difference between a coup and roadster, but it felt more suspension related and less to do with the body itself.

 

 

So it was more of a lack of adjustment, than a "too narrow" issue that you didn't like?

 

I would love to hear an SV with my exhaust on it!! And RWD...And a 6-Speed

 

I am sure that the Aero played a HUGE role in stability; particularly the vents in the front fenders and rear quarters. People don't realize how much pressure builds up in wheel wells and causes instability.

Yea, you'd have had a great time!!! It could not have been a better event. The police escort on motorcycles was nuts! They would roll with us in the left lane and motion all oncoming cars to pull over, often at over 100 MPH, and sometimes looking like a giant game of chicken in the process. Seeing them work was really amazing and I have a new respect for their riding skills. We had a camera mounted on one of the motorcycles but the mount itself sheered off.

 

So it was more of a lack of adjustment, than a "too narrow" issue that you didn't like?

 

I would love to hear an SV with my exhaust on it!! And RWD...And a 6-Speed

 

I am sure that the Aero played a HUGE role in stability; particularly the vents in the front fenders and rear quarters. People don't realize how much pressure builds up in wheel wells and causes instability.

 

Regarding the seats, it was a little of both, but mostly the lack of adjustments. It's an option so it's not a big deal. Yea, regarding the wing, I do think it made a difference. The car really felt planted.

Regarding the seats, it was a little of both, but mostly the lack of adjustments. It's an option so it's not a big deal. Yea, regarding the wing, I do think it made a difference. The car really felt planted.

 

 

Me likey SV

Me WANT NOW!

 

Yea, the cop spun around on his bike and recovered the camera and it was still working. I have no idea for how long.

Me likey SV

Me WANT NOW!

 

You will be VERY happy!

Regarding the seats, it was a little of both, but mostly the lack of adjustments. It's an option so it's not a big deal. Yea, regarding the wing, I do think it made a difference. The car really felt planted.

 

 

I think i would want the seats because A, I love the look, and B, I would want the big weight savings. What's a shame is that the seats could be wider if they didn't widen the center tunnel strictly for aesthetics.

You will be VERY happy!

 

 

Are you pulling the trigger on one? I am still up in the air on color with 4 possibilities.

Regarding the seats, it was a little of both, but mostly the lack of adjustments. It's an option so it's not a big deal. Yea, regarding the wing, I do think it made a difference. The car really felt planted.

 

I'm a bit bigger than Tommy is (6'2 and 210), and while I don't have "wide" hips the seats started to pinch on me. I would thing if you were driving it for hours you might start to get a numb butt. That would be the biggest concern--I was actually surprised at how much room there was in the cabin. It looks deceptively small from the outside, but once you are in it, there's plenty of room. I would swap out the Alcantra-covered steering wheel though...

I'm a bit bigger than Tommy is (6'2 and 210), and while I don't have "wide" hips the seats started to pinch on me. I would thing if you were driving it for hours you might start to get a numb butt. That would be the biggest concern--I was actually surprised at how much room there was in the cabin. It looks deceptively small from the outside, but once you are in it, there's plenty of room. I would swap out the Alcantra-covered steering wheel though...

 

 

I LOVE that wheel! I would just add the Alcantara to the passenger side as well.

I'm a bit bigger than Tommy is (6'2 and 210), and while I don't have "wide" hips the seats started to pinch on me. I would thing if you were driving it for hours you might start to get a numb butt. That would be the biggest concern--I was actually surprised at how much room there was in the cabin. It looks deceptively small from the outside, but once you are in it, there's plenty of room. I would swap out the Alcantra-covered steering wheel though...

 

That's good to know!

What size waist do you have?