Manufacturer Lamborghini Body style 2-door coupé | Production 2011 (20 produced) | |
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Assembly Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy Class Track day car / Supercar Layout Mid-engine, all-wheel-drive | ||
The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento ("Sixth Element" in English) is a two-door, two-seater, V10 high-performance lightweight limited edition car produced by Italian automaker Lamborghini, which debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The Sesto Elemento's name is a reference to the atomic number of carbon, in recognition of the car's extensive use of carbon fiber.
Contents
Design
The Sesto Elemento is equipped with a 6-speed semi-automatic transmission with paddle shift and all wheel drive system, mated to a 5.2 litre V10 engine borrowed from the Gallardo, generating 578 PS (425 kW; 570 hp) and 540 N·m (400 lbf·ft) of torque. The chassis, body, drive shaft and suspension components are made of carbon fiber, reducing the overall weight to a mere 999 kilograms (2,202 lb), a weight comparable to subcompact cars.
Air is released through 10 distinctive hexagonal holes in the engine cover, while two intakes funnel cool air into the mid-mounted engine compartment. The Sesto Elemento's high power combined with low overall weight translate to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.57 hp/kg (0.26 hp/lb) (with a weight-to-power ratio of 1.75 kg/hp and 3.85 lb/hp). Lamborghini claims a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) acceleration time of just 2.5 seconds, and top speed of over 210 mph. Lamborghini sources said that "...they will sell it in very small numbers, in 2013."
The Sesto Elemento's interior is generally bare with few vehicle comforts such as air-conditioning and car stereo. The seats are made of foam and stuck onto the chassis of the vehicle, reducing weight and production costs.
Limited release
Lamborghini announced plans to make 20 Sesto Elementos for track use only in mid-2011. All 20 have been sold. Reported prices range from US$2.2 million to US$2.9 million (GB£1.5 million to GB£2.03 million). At that time, the Sesto Elemento was the most expensive Lamborghini ever created, until the Lamborghini Veneno was launched, with costs of the car up to US$4.5 million (GB£3.61 million).