Lamborghini

Centenario

Lamborghini Centenario: Celebrating the Founder

Ferruccio Lamborghini was born in 1916. To celebrate his 100th birthday, the company created the Centenario in 2016. Unlike the Veneno, which was a track-focused monster, the Centenario was designed to explore the future of technology and aerodynamics.

Production: 20 Coupes and 20 Roadsters. Price: €1.75 million.

Rear-Wheel Steering: A First

The Centenario was the testbed for a technology that would later define the Aventador S: Rear-Wheel Steering.

  • Low Speed: The rear wheels turn opposite to the front, virtually shortening the wheelbase and making the car incredibly agile in tight corners.
  • High Speed: The rear wheels turn with the front, stabilizing the car during lane changes. This system transformed the handling of the big V12 chassis, making it feel 500 kg lighter than it actually was.

Design: “Breathable” Bodywork

The design is cleaner than the Veneno but highly technical.

  • The Diffuser: The rear diffuser is the largest ever fitted to a road car. It dominates the entire rear end, featuring massive vertical fins that channel air to generate immense downforce.
  • Air Intakes: The air intakes are integrated into the headlights and the roof, channeling air through the bodywork rather than just around it.
  • Exhaust: The triple exhaust tips are centrally mounted, screaming the V12’s song directly into the void.

The Engine: 770 HP

At the time of launch, this was the most powerful engine Lamborghini had ever produced.

  • Output: 770 hp.
  • Redline: The rev limiter was raised from 8,350 rpm (Aventador) to 8,600 rpm.
  • Response: Thanks to the lighter internal components, the engine spins up faster than the standard Aventador unit.

Interior: The Modern Age

Before the Centenario, Lamborghinis had terrible infotainment systems (mostly old Audi units). The Centenario introduced a massive 10.1-inch portrait touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, telemetry, and internet connectivity. This screen later made its way into the Huracán EVO and Revuelto.

Legacy

The Centenario is the “Smart” Lamborghini. It proved that the company wasn’t just about brute force; they were also pushing the boundaries of chassis dynamics (4-wheel steering) and connectivity. It is a fitting tribute to Ferruccio—a tractor mechanic who decided to build a better car than Ferrari.