Lamborghini Aventador S: What do the critics think?

Lamborghini has unveiled its new, more powerful Aventador S supercar, expected to hit the road in April.

The most notable changes over the standard model is the tweaked styling, which includes a redesigned nose section to reduce aerodynamic interference from the front tyres and direct air to the rear radiators. The rear diffuser is also larger and helps suck the supercar to the ground at high speed.

Under the bonnet sits the 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine found in the standard model, although Lamborghini has fettled the engine and increased the maximum rev range 8,350rpm to 8,500rpm. It has also increased power output to 730bhp, around 40bhp more than current model.

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This is paired to a seven-speed gearbox sending power to all four wheels, with 40 per cent of the torque going to the front axle and the rest to the rear. However, this can be adjusted to send 90 per cent to the back axle and can be stabilised by the car's four-wheel steer system.

The introduction of the new four-wheel steering system is arguably the technical highlight of the Aventador S, says AutoExpress. It offers a more direct turn-in response and "improves stability and driveability" at the higher reaches of the rev range.

The mag adds that there's no sense of the understeer that often characterises all-wheel drive Lamborghinis, as the steering system gives a sense of "extra stability" over the base car. The steering response is also "borderline delicious" in both weight and feel compared to the older model, which AutoExpress says was "never very clean" to begin with.

Evo agrees, saying how little steering input is needed thanks to the more responsive front axle. The remapped engine is also "much cleaner" under foot, with "every millimetre" of throttle travel making a difference to the car's characteristics, meaning the driver is in control of the car, "rather than the other way around".

Where the Aventador S shines over the outgoing model is that it has "detail", the mag adds, saying the original car was "clumsy" behind the wheel and had a chassis that generated "endless amounts of understeer". Thankfully, it continues, the all-wheel steering is "responsible for the leap forwards".

Lamborghini unveils 730bhp Aventador S

19 December

Lamborghini has taken the wraps off its new, more powerful Aventador S supercar, with deliveries expected in April next year.

The Aventador S receives a minor facelift, bringing with it a tweaked nose that that reduces aerodynamic interference from the front tyres and channels airflow to the rear radiators. There's also a larger rear diffuser that reduces drag and sucks the car to the ground at high speed.

It's also more powerful than its predecessor. The 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine produces 730bhp, around 40bhp more than the outgoing model, which is sent to all-four wheels. While torque remains the same at 509lb ft, maximum engine revs have been increased from 8,350rpm to 8,500rpm. This sends the Aventador S from zero to 62mph in 2.9secs and on to a top speed of 217mph.

Underneath, the all-wheel drive system distributes 40 per cent of its power to the front wheels and 60 to the rear. In sport mode, a maximum of 90 per cent of the power can be sent to the rear and can be stabilised using the car's new four-wheel steering system - similar to the system used by the Porsche 911 GT3. Carbon ceramic brakes come as standard, and its 20ins wheels come paired with a set of Pirelli P Zero tyres.

Inside, the Aventador S is home to a TFT digital dashboard that can be customised by the driver, which includes Apple CarPlay as standard. There's also an optional telemetry system that allows owners to record lap times and track performance.

Auto Express reports that the Aventador S will go on sale for £225,995 before tax, which is expected to bring the total "upwards of £270,000". It's also likely Lamborghini will release a Roadster variant that could be seen "towards the end of 2017".