Despite the huge concentration of exotic and high end cars in Los Angeles, many exclusive automakers won’t be in attendance at this year’s annual LA Auto Show. The latest two to drop from the list are Bentley and Lamborghini. That means attendees won’t be able to see the amazing new Reventón Roadster or the massive Mulsanne luxury sedan, with both vehicles having recently made their official world debuts at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The Mulsanne, also made an appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance earlier this year.

Bentley’s Pebble Beach debut proved successful and was part of the brand’s approach to better utilize its resources, by showing the vehicle in front of a crowd where almost everyone in attendance could buy the vehicle – or a few of them. Official auto shows, like in Los Angeles, don’t usually bring buyers, however, the media exposure also has a lot of value in spreading the word about a new product.

High end automakers have been hit particularly hard in the recent recession and many are still scaling back to meet decreased demand. With far fewer vehicle sold than a Toyota or General Motors, every unit moved by a company like Lamborghini represents a much higher percentage of overall sales. In total, this year Lambo’s U.S. sales are down roughly 40 percent, while Bentley’s have been chopped in half.

Other automakers that have already announced they will be no-shows include Ferrari/Maserati and Aston Martin, which recently said it will have a dealer display. Unfortunately, this means we don’t see the new 458 Italia, GranCabrio or Rapide either.

See AutoGuide’s Live 2009 LA Auto Show Coverage Here Starting December 2nd

GALLERY: Bentley Mulsanne Debut in Frankfurt

GALLERY: Lamborghini Reventon Roadster Debut in Frankfurt

[Source: TheDetroitBureau]

Unveiled in a stunning light-matte-gray color called Reventón Grey, Lamborghini drew back the covers on Reventón Roadster at the Frankfurt Auto Show today. With just 15 models scheduled to be built Lamborghini’s pre-unveiling video reminded those in attendance that while your chances of climbing Mount Everest at 2,000,000 to 1 and your chance of having a baby that will grow up to win a Nobel prize is 50,000 to 1, your chance of owning a Reventón Roadster is 700,000,000 to one.

Those lucky 15 will get to experience the top down Reventón with the LP670 SV’s high-output 670hp engine. With full power at 8000 rpm, torque of 487 ft-lbs is available as of 6000 rm. When combined with Lamborghini’s all-wheel drive system the car blasts to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 205 mph.

“The Reventón is the most extreme car in the history of the brand,” says Lambo CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “The new Roadster adds an extra emotional component to our combined technological expertise – it unites superior performance with the sensual fascination of open-top driving.”

The chassis of the car is made of steel and carbon fiber with the body made almost entirely of carbon fiber – with the exception of the doors, which are steel. Thanks to the use of light-weight components, the massive drop-top weights a reasonable 3,725 lbs – just 55 lbs more than the Coupe.

And along with the already wild exterior, the Roadster features a rear spoiler that deploys at 80 mph and then folds up to an even steeper angle at speeds above 136 mph.

Other highlights include the use of LCD screens in the cockpit, instead of traditional gauges.

GALLERY: 2010 Lamborghini Reventón Roadster

Lamborghini has just confirmed that the Reventon Roadster will debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show tomorrow, but more importantly, it will come with the LP670 SV’s high-output 670hp engine. With full power at 8000 rpm, torque of 487 ft-lbs is available as of 6000 rm. When combined with Lamborghini’s all-wheel drive system the car blasts to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 205 mph.

“The Reventón is the most extreme car in the history of the brand,” says Lambo CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “The new Roadster adds an extra emotional component to our combined technological expertise – it unites superior performance with the sensual fascination of open-top driving.”

The chassis of the car is made of steel and carbon fiber with the body made almost entirely of carbon fiber – with the exception of the doors, which are steel. Thanks to the use of light-weight components, the massive drop-top weights a reasonable 3,725 lbs – just 55 lbs more than the Coupe.

All that carbon fiber and steel is coated in a particular color of matte-gray, called Reventón Grey. (The matte-gray on the coupe model is a different color). The wheels on the roadster are mostly glossy with matte-colored crescent shapes, that work to cool the ceramic brakes.

And along with the already wild exterior, the Roadster features a rear spoiler that deploys at 80 mph and then folds up to an even steeper angle at speeds above 136 mph.

Other highlights include the use of LCD screens in the cockpit, instead of traditional gauges.

Lamborghini says the less than 20 Reventón Roadsters will be made, with an asking price of 1.1 Million Euros ($1.46 million) with deliveries starting in October.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our live coverage of the Frankfurt Auto Show and the Lamborghini Reventón Roadster.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Reventón Roadster

Official release after the jump:

PRESS RELEASE

Lamborghini Reventón Roadster – ultimately open
Designer piece with uncompromising performance
Lamborghini presents the ultimate driving machine among open-top two-seaters – the Reventón Roadster is a sports car of breathtaking fascination, menacing power and uncompromising performance. The 6.5 liter twelve-cylinder generates 493 kW (670 PS), catapulting the Roadster from 0 to 100 Km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.4 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 330 KM/h (205 mph). The open-top Reventón is not only one of the fastest, but also one of the most exclusive cars in the world – Lamborghini has limited the series.

The Lamborghini Reventón is not destined to remain a one-off. Less than 20 Lamborghini friends and collectors will be able to own this extraordinary car and, naturally, enjoy the incomparable pleasure of driving it.

Each Reventón Roadster will be sold for 1.1 Million Euro (without taxes). Deliveries will begin October 2009.

“The Reventón is the most extreme car in the history of the brand,” comments Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. “The new Roadster adds an extra emotional component to our combined technological expertise – it unites superior performance with the sensual fascination of open-top driving.” The Reventón Coupé was presented at the 2007 IAA in Frankfurt and was sold out immediately.

Open-top sports cars are a tradition at Lamborghini that stretches back over 40 years. In 1968, the company from Sant’Agata Bolognese built a Miura without a fixed roof as a one-off. The Diablo Roadster appeared in 1995 with its targa roof anchored to the engine cover.

Sculpture with extreme dynamics

All Lamborghinis are created with an avantgarde approach to design; a fast-moving technical sculpture. The Reventón Roadster is derived from the same creative thinking as the Coupé. Its designers found their inspiration in aviation – the aggressive wedge shape evokes images of fighter jets.
The powerful arrowhead form at the front, the mighty air intakes pulled way forward, the broad side skirts, the upwards opening scissor doors and the rear end with its menacing edges – the Roadster is clad in a design of maximum functionality and spectacular clarity. Details set stylish accents, such as headlamps featuring bi-xenon units with LEDs forming the daytime running lights and indicators. The rear lamps are also equipped with LEDs.

Like the Coupé, the Reventón Roadster measures 4700 mm (185 in.) long. It has a wheelbase of 2665 mm (105 in.) and is 2058 mm (81 in.) wide and 1132 mm (45 in.) high. The driver and passenger seating positions are low and sporty, separated by a substantial central tunnel.

Behind the two seats are two hidden pop-up bars that deploy upwards in just a few hundredths of a second in the event of an imminent rollover. A fixed, horizontal wing-shaped member behind the seats bears the third brake light. The design of the Roadster’s long back is also quite distinct from that of the Coupé. The engine bonnet is virtually horizontal and a total of four windows made from glass provide a view of the mighty V12 in all its technical elegance.

Stiff bodyshell base

The base bodyshell of the Reventón is already so stiff that the Roadster requires only minimal reinforcement. It has a dry weight of only 1690 Kg (3,725 lbs.), just 25 Kg, (55 lbs.) more than the Coupé.

Like the Coupé, the cell of the Roadster is made from high-strength steel profile and carbon components joined with specialist adhesive and rivets. The bodyshell is made almost entirely from carbon fiber elements, with sheet steel used only for the outer door skins.

Exclusive grey paintwork

A unique paint finish completes the razor sharp design language of the Lamborghini Reventón Roadster. For this exclusive special edition, designers have created a new shade of matt grey called Reventón Grey. As for the Reventón Coupé, which is a slightly different shade of grey, this is a matt paint finish that, in the sunlight, displays an unexpected impression of depth thanks to its special metal particles.

The wheels of the Reventón Roadster also incorporate the interplay of matt and glossy elements. The five spokes of the rims each bear a Y-form, and on each spoke are mounted small crescent-shaped wings made from matte carbon. These provide not only an unusual visual impact, but also a turbine effect that further improves cooling of the mighty ceramic brake discs.

Aircraft-style displays

The interior of the Reventón Roadster conveys the same powerful design as the exterior. The cockpit is structured with technical clarity, the interfaces arranged for functionality. Like a modern aircraft, the open two-seater no longer has classic analogue instrumentation – instead, information is delivered via two transreflective and one transmissive liquid-crystal displays.

The driver can switch between two modes at the touch of a button – one digital view with illuminated bars and one level with classic round dials, albeit with changing color graphics. Centrally located at the top of the display is the G-force meter. It represents the intensity of the forces acting on the Reventón Roadster under acceleration, braking and heavy cornering; the same format used in Formula 1.

The instruments are mounted in a casing machined from solid aluminum which is housed in a carbon fiber dashboard. The interior displays uncompromisingly clean craftsmanship and features a host of carbon fiber applications – e.g. on the center tunnel – aluminum, Alcantara and leather. The central panels and the seat cushions are perforated, with precision stitching gracing their outer edges.

Lamborghini has equipped the Reventón Roadster with full options.

An icon of engine design

The twelve-cylinder engine that powers the Reventón Roadster is a Lamborghini icon – and the technical feature that defines the character of the car. It is one of the world’s most powerful naturally-aspirated engines. With a compression ratio of 11 : 1 and a displacement of 6496 cc (396.41 in3,) it generates 670 PS (493 kW) at 8,000 rpm. Its maximum torque of 660 Nm (487 lb-ft) kicks in at 6,000 rpm.

The V12 engine is a masterpiece of Italian engineering. Two chains drive its four camshafts that, in turn, operate the 48 valves. Together with the three-phase adjustable intake manifold, the variable valve timing delivers a meaty torque build-up. Dry sump lubrication ensures that the hi-tech power unit has a constant supply of oil, even under heavy lateral acceleration. The absence of the oil sump means a low mounting position – benefitting the car’s outstanding handling characteristics.

The V12 catapults the Reventón Roadster from 0 to 100 Km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.4 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 330 Km/h (205 mph). It reacts with the eagerness of a racing engine to input from the right foot, revving to 8,000 rpm and beyond, and performing a symphony that sends shudders along the spine. The deep booming bass, the powerful mid-range and the exultant horn section play music that, once heard, can never be forgotten.

All-wheel drive for maximum traction

In classic Lamborghini style, the aluminum engine is mounted longitudinally in front of the rear axle, with the transmission ahead of it beneath the center tunnel. This layout results in 58 percent of the overall weight being borne by the rear wheels – ideal for a powerful sports car.

This layout accommodates the Viscous Traction permanent all-wheel drive. Under normal conditions, it sends the vast majority of the driving force to the rear wheels. Should they begin to spin, the central viscous coupling sends up to 35 percent of the power via an additional shaft to the front axle. Limited-slip differentials are located there and at the rear axle with 25 and 45 percent lock respectively.

Lamborghini introduced the all-wheel drive principle with the Diablo. The reason back then was just as clear as it is today – four driven wheels grip far better than two, and the more powerful the engine, the greater the impact of this fundamental law of physics.

Also standard on the Reventón Roadster is the e.gear automated six-speed sequential manual transmission. The driver controls the gear shift, which is activated hydraulically via two steering wheel paddles. In addition to the “Normal” mode, the system offers a “Corsa” and a “low adherence” mode. The driver just has to keep his foot to the floor – the rest is handled by e.gear.

Running gear layout from motorsport

The Reventón Roadster keeps the extreme power of its engine in check with a running gear layout derived directly from motorsport. Each wheel boasts double wishbone suspension, with one spring strut on each side of the front axle and two each at the rear. The front end of the car can be raised by 40 mm (about 1.6 in.) to protect the underside of the vehicle over potholes or on steep entrances into underground garages.

The open two-seater runs on 18-inch wheels. The front tires measure 245/35, while the rears are 335/30. Dedicated air channels in the bodyshell cool the four wheel brakes. Carbon-fiber ceramic discs are standard – they have an extremely lightweight construction, operate with virtually no fade, are corrosion-free and achieve the highest service life. Each disc has a diameter of 380 mm (~15 in.) and is gripped by six-piston calipers.

As fast as the open two-seater may be, its road manners are impeccable. Its performance limits are extremely high, yet effortless to control. And, on exiting a bend, all four wheels stick tenaciously to the asphalt. The permanent all-wheel drive dovetails the car firmly with the road, delivering decisive benefits in traction and stability.

High-performance aerodynamics

A further distinctive characteristic of the Reventón Roadster is its calm directional stability even at extremely high speeds – a feature that also turns fast highway stretches into sheer joy. Alongside the bodyshell design and the smooth underbody, which culminates in a powerfully formed diffuser, the rear spoiler carries responsibility for downforce. It deploys from the rear edge at about 130 Km/h (80 mph) and adopts an even steeper angle as of about 220 Km/h (136 mph). The entire aerodynamic concept – around and through the car – is radically laid out for performance.

State-of the-art development techniques

Lamborghini used state-of-the-art, highly networked processes to bring the Reventón Roadster to life. The design, CAD work and model making that took place in the Centro Stile, which opened in 2004, were accompanied continuously by specialists and test engineers from the Research & Development Department.

The Design Department is directly linked to the neighbouring Ufficio Tecnico, ensuring rapid implementation of ideas. Lamborghini’s capabilities also include the independent development of the complete electronic platform. This incorporates all control units – including those for the V12 and the innovative cockpit displays.

All units of the Reventón Roadster are being built on the Sant’Agata Bolognese production line, with perfect craftsmanship and to the highest levels of quality.

Just ahead of the car’s debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Lamborghini has released photos of its Reventón Roadster.

The drop-top Reventón is rumored to be made in even more limited numbers than the coupe, with just 10 versions being built. And while the coupe model looked wild, but didn’t really offer any performance gain over the standard LP640, the Roadster is expected to get theLP670 SV’s 6.5-liter V12 with 670hp and 487 ft-lbs fo torque, enabling it to hit 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 212 mph.

Pricing is expected to be rated at roughly 1.15 million Euros, although if you haven’t already put down your deposit, you’ll have to wait for a second-hand version, as all 10 units are being pre-sold.

We’ll be sure to bring you official details of the car with live coverage from the Frankfurt Auto Show starting September 15.

GALLERY: Reventón Roadster

[Source: WorldCarFans]

With rumors abounding that Lamborghini has already held a private unveiling for the Reventón Roadster at its factory in Sant’Agata, the official public debut is expected at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month.

The drop-top Reventón is rumored to be made in even more limited numbers than the coupe, with just 10 versions being built. And while the coupe model looked wild, but didn’t really offer any performance gain over the standard LP640, the Roadster is expected to get theLP670 SV’s 6.5-liter V12 with 670hp and 487 ft-lbs fo torque, enabling it to hit 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 212 mph.

Pricing is expected to be rated at roughly 1.15 million Euros, although if you haven’t already put down your deposit, you’ll have to wait for a second-hand version, as all 10 units are being pre-sold.
[Source: LamboCars]

When you’re an automaker, there are two ways to significantly improve profits. First, you can sell a vehicle to as many people as possible, using the “economies of scale” approach. Second, you can sell a reduced number of vehicles at a higher profit margin, feeding off an increased demand and a reduced supply.

The Lamborghini Reventón most certainly falls into the latter category and now Lambo is hoping to repeat the success of that car with an even more limited edition Reventón Roadster… yummy!

According to CarsUK.net, which cites not one but two “very reliable” sources inside the company, the Reventón Roadster is set to become a reality. And why not? Lamborghini already has the crazy Reventón bodywork all figured out and they can easily fabricate some Murciélago chassis. They’d be crazy not to build it.

CarsUK is reporting that the Roadster version would use the updated engine from the new LP670-4 SuperVeloce, with 670 neck-snapping horsepower. As for production numbers, Lambo would keep the Reventón Roadster in even more limited supply with just 9 models being produced – and apparently 9 deposits have already been made.

As for the asking price, it’s a serious $1.6 million. It appears as though this over-the-top raging bull is also a cash cow.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Reventón

[Source: CarsUK.net]