Skip to main content

Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster marries raw V12 power with sophisticated tech

When Lamborghini unveiled the Aventador S — a tauter, more high-tech version of the Aventador coupe — last year, it was only a matter of time until the convertible Aventador Roadster got the same upgrades.

Convertible season may be almost over, but Lamborghini is finally rolling out the Aventador S Roadster at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Like the coupe version, the S Roadster carries performance upgrades that push this supercar further into the realm of insanity, making it not only faster, but also better to drive.

Recommended Videos

The 6.5-liter V12 engine produces 740 horsepower and 508 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed automated transmission sends that power to all four wheels. Like most convertibles, the Aventador S Roadster weighs more than its coupe sibling, in this case by 110 pounds. But it can still do 0 to 62 mph in 3.0 seconds — just 0.1 second slower than the coupe — and match the hardtop’s top speed of 217 mph.

The Aventador S Roadster also features the four-wheel steering system first seen on the limited-edition Lamborghini Centenario. At low speeds, it turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the front wheels to reduce the turning circle and generally improve maneuverability. At high speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the fronts for increased stability.

That’s not the only trick the Aventador S Roadster has up its sleeve. It also features an active rear wing that generates 130 percent more downforce than the standard Aventador, helping to stick the car to the road. Like other recent Lambo models, the S Roadster also features Lamborghini Dynamic Steering and adaptive suspension with magnetorheological dampers.

The rear wing, suspension, steering, and other functions can be adjusted through four driving modes: Strada, Sport, Corsa, and Ego. New to the Aventador S, Ego lets the driver create a customized setup by tuning each individual parameter to their liking. Also customizable is the fully digital instrument cluster, part of an infotainment system that is compatible with Apple CarPlay.

The Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster debuts this month at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, and the first customer deliveries are expected in February 2018. Pricing starts at $460,247 — almost $40,000 more than the Aventador S coupe.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
This week in EV tech: Audi exemplifies auto industry’s EV holding pattern
Close-up of 2025 Audi SQ5 grille, headlight, and badge.

The road to the future runs through the present, and it’s not a straight line. This week, we’re focusing on how Audi is negotiating the twists and turns on the way to an electrified future. EVs are here to stay at Audi, but a gasoline crossover SUV is still the automaker’s bestselling model, and it’s not ready to risk those sales just yet. That’s why the 2025 Audi Q5 received a top-to-bottom overhaul for this model year, bringing its tech features and styling up to date without altering the what has proven to be a very popular package. By maintaining parallel lineups of electric and internal-combustion cars, Audi hopes to give customers more choices. But that doesn’t completely level the playing field. The new Q5 may have yesterday’s powertrain, but Audi isn’t holding back on tech. It features the same electrical architecture, operating system, and three-screen dashboard display as the latest Audi EVs, like the Q6 e-tron. So aside from a little engine noise, there’s little difference in what you can see and interact with from the driver’s seat. It’s not just the infotainment systems. The Q5 and Q6 e-tron are close in size, with similar space for passengers across their two rows of seats. The Q6 e-tron has a bit more cargo space, but not as much as you’d think given the lack of a bulky engine, transmission, and driveshafts. The two SUVs also have similar styling but, having now driven both, we can say that the Q5 is the more pleasant of the two.

More than a difference of powertrain tech

Read more
Take a peek inside the factory making tomorrow’s ride
A Zoox robotaxi.

Amazon-owned Zoox has opened its first facility producing fully autonomous robotaxis. 

A video (above) released by the California-based company offers a peek inside the factory, which, when it reaches full capacity, could roll out as many as 10,000 autonomous vehicles per year.

Read more
The week in EV tech: 900 miles, 12 minutes—EV charging just hit warp speed
byd 900 miles 12 minutes seal

Welcome to Digital Trends’ weekly recap of the revolutionary technology powering, connecting, and now driving next-gen electric vehicles. 
If you’re hesitant about electric vehicles (EV), it’s likely that your top concerns include how far you can drive in a single charge, how long it takes to charge the battery, and how much this advanced tech will cost you. And you're not alone.
According to Deloitte’s 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study, nearly half of U.S. consumers (49%) still say that available battery driving range is their biggest worry about EVs. That’s followed closely by the time required to charge (46%) and the lingering cost premium (44%) associated with battery electric vehicles.
But that narrative may finally be flipping. Just this past week, two developments showcase how much EV technology has evolved over the past decade: China’s BYD is breaking new grounds on just how far you can drive an EV on a single 12-minute charge. Meanwhile, the Nissan Leaf, seen as the first mass-market EV in 2010, is getting an impressive upgrade even as it remains one of the most affordable options on the market.

BYD’s bold battery bet
Chinese auto giant BYD, already the world’s top-selling EV manufacturer, may have just redrawn the limits of battery performance. According to Chinese media, and other reports, the company is testing a new solid-state battery that can add 900 miles of range in just 12 minutes of charging.
Let that sink in. That’s nearly four times the range of many current EVs—enough to drive from New York to Chicago —and charging that’s as fast as a coffee stop.

Read more