Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 Is The First Car Ever Homologated By The FIA With A Carbon Fiber Roll Cage

Lamborghini has announced that following a partnership with the FIA, its highly limited Essenza SCV12 car will be the first car on the market with a carbon fiber roll cage that was homologated according to FIA Hypercar safety standards.

“The Essenza SCV12 was born as a ‘laboratory of ideas’,” says Giorgio Sanna, Lamborghini’s head of motorsports. “This allowed us to use technical solutions usually found in racing prototypes, such as the suspension installed directly on the load-bearing gearbox, which is an innovative solution for a GT car. In addition, it features the new carbon fiber monocoque chassis without steel roll cage, resulting from technical collaboration with the FIA, thanks to which we’ve started a process that will lead to an exponential improvement in safety for GT racing drivers in the future.”

In order to be homologated, the car had to satisfy both the FIA‘s static and dynamic tests. The carbon fiber monocoque had to withstand 12 tons of force without presenting significant deformations and survive a crash test at 14 meters/second (31.3 mph).

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Using a carbon fiber roll cage instead of a more traditional steel cage offers significant advantages in both weight and space for the driver. In fact, the Essenza SCV12 almost appears not to have any roll cage at all.

“Essenza SCV12 is not only a fast car that can deliver exhilarating experiences, but it’s also equipped with an incredibly comfortable and spacious cabin,” says Lamborghini factory driver Marco Mapelli. “This is a unique feature appreciated by all gentlemen drivers, for whom it is intended.”

The Essenza SCV12 was first introduced last summer and it features the most powerful naturally aspirated engine ever produced by Lamborghini. The V12 is rated at 818 hp and power is routed to the rear wheels through an X-trac sequential six-speed transmission.

The track-only supercar is limited to just 40 examples and rides on lightweight magnesium wheels that are wrapped in Pirelli slicks. Brembo brake calipers bring the whole thing to a stop and up to 1,200 kg (2,645 lbs) of downforce at 250 km/h (155 mph) keeps the Essenza SCV12 all glued to the tarmac.

Owners can store their cars at a new hangar built by Lamborghini near its Sant’Agata Bolognese headquarters and will be invited to several arrive-and-drive events at numerous FIA Grade 1 homologated circuits.