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Lamborghini Centenario: The 40-Car V12 That Sold Out Before Geneva
The Lamborghini Centenario was sold out before the public saw it. Lamborghini built 40 cars, 20 coupés and 20 roadsters, to mark 100 years since Ferruccio Lamborghini's birth. Every car had been allocated to invited customers at €1.75 million before taxes. The coupé was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016, and the roadster followed that August.
Key takeaways
- 40 cars in total, all spoken for before the Geneva reveal in March 2016.
- Price of €1.75 million before taxes, by invitation only.
- 6.5-litre V12 with 566 kW (770 PS), the first Lamborghini with rear-wheel steering.
- Built in 2016–2017 and followed by the Sián and the Countach LPI 800-4.
Why the Lamborghini Centenario sold out before the show
Lamborghini did not sell the Centenario through dealers. The factory chose its buyers among existing collectors and offered each one a build slot. By the time the covers came off in Geneva, the whole run was taken.
Size at a glance
| Dimensions | Lamborghini Centenario |
|---|---|
| Length | 4,924 mm193.9 in |
| Width | 2,062 mm81.2 in |
| Height | 1,143 mm45.0 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm106.3 in |
The model followed the Lamborghini Veneno of 2013, a few-off built on Aventador hardware. Ferruccio Lamborghini, the tractor maker who founded the car company in 1963, was born in 1916. His story is told in the history of Lamborghini.
Centenario specifications
The car used the carbon-fibre monocoque of the Aventador SV under new bodywork. According to Lamborghini, the V12 gave 15 kW more than the SV engine.
| Parameter | Centenario coupé |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 |
| Power | 566 kW (770 PS) at 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 690 Nm at 5,500 rpm |
| Gearbox and drive | 7-speed ISR automated manual, all-wheel drive with a Haldex coupling |
| 0–100 km/h | 2.8 s claimed at launch (2.9 s in later data) |
| 0–300 km/h | 23.5 s |
| Top speed | 350 km/h |
| Dry weight | 1,520 kg (roadster about 1,570 kg) |
The old 1cars report gave a weight of 1,250 kg, which was wrong. With the published 1,520 kg, each kilowatt moves about 2.7 kg, by our calculation. You can check other cars the same way with the power-to-weight calculator.
What was new on the car
The Centenario was the first Lamborghini with rear-wheel steering. At low speed the rear wheels turned against the fronts to tighten the turning circle. At high speed they turned with the fronts for stability.
A twin-deck front splitter, a large diffuser and an electronically controlled wing produced about 227 kg of downforce at 280 km/h. Inside, a 10.1-inch portrait touchscreen logged lap data. The roadster appeared at Pebble Beach in August 2016 with the same engine. In 2018, 11 of the 40 cars were recalled to replace an incorrect weight-rating label.
What happened after the Centenario
The few-off became a regular part of Lamborghini's range.
| Year | Model | Built | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Veneno | 3 customer coupés and 9 roadsters | First modern few-off |
| 2016 | Centenario | 40 | Rear-wheel steering, new infotainment |
| 2019 | Sián FKP 37 | 63 coupés and 19 roadsters | First Lamborghini with hybrid assistance |
| 2021 | Countach LPI 800-4 | 112 | Tribute to the original Countach |
| 2022 | Aventador production ends | - | Replaced by the hybrid Revuelto in 2023 |
The Lamborghini Sián took the idea further, adding a supercapacitor and an electric motor to the V12.
Owning a Centenario today: our verdict
A Centenario cannot be ordered, and cars change hands privately or at auction. It suits collectors of V12 Lamborghinis rather than drivers who want the fastest lap. The Lamborghini Centenario model page has full specifications and photos. Set it against the Aventador or the Sián with the comparison tool, or see where it ranks for power in the 1cars rankings.
The car matters less for its speed than for what it proved. Lamborghini learned that 40 cars at €1.75 million could be sold without a single advert, and that lesson shaped every few-off since.
FAQ
Why was the Lamborghini Centenario sold out before its debut?
Lamborghini never offered it on the open market. The factory invited chosen collectors to buy one of the 40 build slots, and every slot was taken before the coupé appeared at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016.
Who could buy a Lamborghini Centenario?
Only customers invited by Lamborghini, usually existing owners of its V12 cars. Each paid €1.75 million before taxes. Today the cars change hands privately or at auction, so the price depends on the individual car.
How fast is the Lamborghini Centenario?
Lamborghini claimed 0–100 km/h in 2.8 seconds at launch, and later data list 2.9 seconds. It reaches 300 km/h in 23.5 seconds and tops out at 350 km/h. Power is 566 kW (770 PS) from a 6.5-litre V12.
Is the Centenario based on the Aventador?
Yes. It uses the carbon-fibre monocoque of the Aventador SV with new bodywork, a retuned V12 and rear-wheel steering. Its engine produces 15 kW more than the SV version.
