Lamborghini Aventador S Coupe

Our well-connected and stylish Italian counterparts from Motor1.com Italy (aka OmniAuto.it) got the first crack at this all new Aventador. We’re working on putting a Yank behind the wheel for a proper U.S. edition of a First Drive, but figured we’d be remiss for not translating and sharing this first look at the Bull. Enjoy.

– Valencia, Spain

For those who have been raised in the northern area of the Italian province of Modena, a few miles away from Sant'Agata Bolognese, hearing is one of the first senses to be developed. At least it was in my case. I can still remember hearing the whistling of engines, and then literally jumping up onto the stairs of my grandmother's house to see a breathtaking parade of vehicles.

In this world there are cars, sports cars, and supercars, but the naturally aspirated V12 variety are of a different breed – and a Lamborghini with an “S” badge is perhaps the most spectacular of all. To find out more, I went to Valencia to tame the new Aventador S on the road and on the racetrack, and to enjoy the tune of its very special engine.

Four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, and an active suspension with four driving modes. That's what the new Aventador S gains to further improve this supercar, or rather hypercar, as Lamborghini calls it. As is customary, the "S" indicates a 360-degree upgrade, following a tradition established by the Miura S, Islero S, Urraco S, and Countach S.

The resulting performance is astounding: a 217-mph maximum speed...