Lamborghini lifts the lid on Aventador Roadster

If open top motoring is your thing, then this stunning Lamborghini Aventador Roadster would definitely set your heart racing.

Apart from its new removable lid, Lamborghini has also engineered a few bespoke features to maintain the car’s pace and rigidity.

Unlike its predecessor, the Murcielago, which was equipped with a fabric top, the Aventador Roadster features a stiff carbon fibre panel that is removable by hand. It is produced using Lamborghini’s own Forged Composite technology. The result is a very stiff and rigid setup that is actually stronger than titanium, yet weighs less than 6kg.

Aft of the roof are two new pillars. They serve to maintain the supercar’s structural rigidity and aid handling. Most importantly, they act as a roll over protection for the occupants.

Sitting between those pillars is an electric rear windscreen that can be lowered to amplify the roar of the Lamborghini V12 engine lurking behind the occupants. On the other hand, a wind deflector at the top edge of the front windscreen minimises wind noise during top down motoring.

The Aventador Roadster shares its 515kW 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine with the coupé, which propels it from 0-100km/h in just 3.0 seconds. It features cylinder-deactivation and engine stop-start technologies to help improve efficiency and reduce emissions. Top speed with the roof on is rated at 350km/h.

Putting that monstrous power down is Lamborghini’s seven-speed independent shifting rod sequential automatic transmission and all-wheel drive system.

The Aventador Roadster rolls on a set of offset forged aluminium wheels measuring 20” at the front and 21” at the back. They save up to 10kg compared with the standard Aventador wheels.

The new Lambo will hit showrooms around the world in mid-2013, with Australian introduction to follow shortly.