↓↓ ↓↓
48
DRIVESIn full attack mode, both coupes are prone to chatter
teeth, wrench wrists, and crack spinal discs. In contrast
to the Lambo’s embryonic driving position, the Ferrari is
almost a recliner on wheels. Even the racing seats come
in three sizes, legroom is a relief, visibility could hardly be
better, and the iconic manettino drive mode selector tweaks
the car’s manners with aplomb in one easy lesson. Dislikes?
A front end long enough to drop out of sight in dense fog,
the fiddly secondary controls, and its RV-like turning circle.
Neither car tolerates unfinished or neglected roads,
crumbling curbs, yawning potholes, or the post-earthquake
topography now typical of Umbria and the Marches. While
the Ferrari softens its dampers at a button press, the most
extreme Aventador bottoms out even in Strada (street)
mode, to the point that the chassis control warning light
comes on. For both cars, their natural dynamic domains are
fast country roads and even faster highways where they can
zigzag through traffic like invincible alien objects guided
from a distant star.
“Life can’t get any better than this,” is the verdict after
an insane 20-minute stint in the Lamborghini, the driver
looking and feeling like a drenched wharf rat
by the end. But then you jump in the Ferrari,
and—mama mia!—excitement and exhaustion
are on exactly the same high level. True, these
cars are as different as fish and fowl, but after
300 miles, the only quality that sets the 812
apart is about half an acre more cabin space.
On the autostrada, the Aventador is a road
shark par excellence. Its silhouette in the mirror
of the car ahead clears the overtaking lane like
a video-game flame thrower. Its brakes respond
with the finality of a light switch. The heavy
yet super-direct steering works with microme-
ter precision. The active suspension lowers and
tightens the chassis at speed, and the active aero
system (ALA) can either increase downforce or
reduce drag above 124 mph.
The 812 Superfast, however, is emphatically
rear-wheel drive—even on a straight road, in the
dry, and with the throttle not fully depressed.
Although the rear-mounted transaxle layout
results in near-perfect weight distribution,
there is at all times enough grunt on tap to alert
the e-diff and summon stability control.2019
Lamborghini
AventadorSVJ
ON SALE:
Now
PRICE:
$5 21 , 2 65 (base)
ENGINE:
6. 5 L DOHC
48 -valve V- 12 /759 hp
@ 8 ,500 rpm, 53 1 lb-ft
@ 6,750 rpm
TRANSMISSION:
7-speed single-clutch
automatic
LAYOUT:
2 -door, 2 -passenger,
mid-engine, AWD coupe
EPA MILEAGE:
9/ 1 5 mpg (city/hwy) (est)
L x W x H:
194 .6 x 82.6 x 44.7 in
WHEELBASE:
106 .3 in
WEIGHT:
3,6 1 5 lb
0-60 MPH:
2.7 sec (est)
TOP SPEED:
21 9 mph2018
Ferrari
812Superfast
ON SALE:
Now
PRICE:
$343,7 12 (base)
ENGINE:
6. 5 L DOHC
48 -valve V- 12 /7 8 9 hp
@ 8 ,500 rpm, 530 lb-ft
@ 7,000 rpm
TRANSMISSION:
7-speed dual-clutch
automatic
LAYOUT:
2 -door, 2 -passenger,
front-engine, RWD coupe
EPA MILEAGE:
12 / 1 6 mpg (city/hwy)
L x W x H:
183 .3 x 77.6 x 50.2 in
WHEELBASE:
107 .1 in
WEIGHT:
3,600 lb (est)
0-60 MPH:
2.8 sec (est)
TOP SPEED:
211 mphYOUR CHOICE
We tried, but
attempting to
definitively say one
Italian is better
than the other is an
exercise in futility.SPECS SPECS