First Production Car to Feature Pushrods

It has been revealed that the new V12 flagship sports car from Lamborghini, the successor to the Murciélago tentatively named Aventador, will feature a pushrod-actuated double-wishbone suspension, a world-first for a production vehicle.

Pushrods are widely used in racing cars such as Formula 1 and refer to a bar that runs diagonally between the upper and lower wishbones. This pushrod connects the spring, housed within the body, to the upright that mounts the wheel.

In the new Lamborghini, the springs and dampers are positioned horizontally. From the released photos, it appears the rear springs/dampers are located directly behind the engine and connected to the body shell. Furthermore, the wheel mount and dampers are separated, which is said to improve handling response and increase control performance across all speed ranges. Simultaneously, because the springs and dampers are rigidly connected to the chassis, it provides precise and natural reactions.

While the suspension structure is a key topic, one of the major themes for the new Lamborghini is weight reduction. The entire suspension, including the eight arms front and rear and the wheel mounts, is made of forged aluminum. The brakes use lightweight, long-lasting carbon-ceramic composites, achieving both weight reduction and improved driving performance simultaneously.

As previously reported, the engine is a compact 60-degree V12 measuring 665mm in height, 848mm in width, and 784mm in length. With a bore of 95mm and a stroke of 76.5mm, it is a short-stroke design. The crankshaft weighs 24.6kg, and the dry weight of the engine alone is kept to 234kg. It produces a maximum output of 515kW (700ps) at 8,250rpm and a maximum torque of 690Nm (70.4kgm) at 5,500rpm. Fuel consumption is a relatively low 17.2 L/100km, with CO2 emissions recorded at 398g/km. The planned tire sizes are 255/35 R19 for the front and 335/30 R20 for the rear.

The transmission is also a 7-speed, single-clutch, 2-pedal automated manual, named ISR (Independent Shifting Rods), with the gearbox weighing just 79kg. Additionally, the front suspension features a hydraulic lifting system to navigate obstacles without scraping the nose, ensuring comfort is not compromised.

While details regarding the performance of this new Lamborghini remain undisclosed, the available information clearly indicates it is a super sports car with immense power, achieved through significant weight reduction.