The latest episode in an extraordinary mechanical saga: after the risky purchase of a damaged Lamborghini Revuelto at half the price, and months of electronic hassles, the Revuelto crosses Italy... but on the racetrack, it threatens to blow everything up, and the bill could reach €9,000.
The road-trip begins... at last (and the Revuelto starts in earnest)
Remember: in the previous episode, Mat Armstrong faced a wall. His Lamborghini Revuelto, bought at half price due to a major accidentstill refused to start despite weeks of hard work. Even Lamborghini engineers claimed it was impossible to restart a crashed Revuelto without going through the factory. So it was in Italy, at a dealer's Lamborghini that the enigma (finally) finds its resolution.
Mat decided to go all out: he took the car directly to Lamborghini in Italy, with the help of his team and his local contacts.
The dealer agrees to connect the car to the brand's official computer system, Lamborghini Diagnostic Software. An operation normally impossible for a car considered "VOR" (Vehicle Off Road), as it was the result of a serious accident. And then, a miracle: the Revuelto finally starts up without a hitch.
A full diagnostic confirms that the electronics are sound, with the exception of a few sensors that are still recalcitrant. The car is roadworthy, usable and ready for adventure.
The team then embarked on an incredible road-trip across Europe, multiplying a number of electronic problems. To avoid repeated breakdowns, they use an "OBD killer" device, capable of neutralizing error codes and masking engine faults. A makeshift solution, to be sure, but one that enabled them to cover the 3,000 km to Monaco.
Monte Carlo, Pisa... and always a few scares on the circuit!
After a stopover in Monaco (where they lose their bet at the casino) and a challenge at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Revuelto continues its journey southwards.
On the Levante circuit, the last stage, excitement builds: the aim is to beat the record held by the Porsche Carrera GT (51 s). Mat set off in spite of his nervousness: the Revuelto completed the first lap in 53.5 seconds, an encouraging time, but still short of the record.
Brake disc threatens to explode: €9,000 to replace it
The most critical moment comes shortly afterwards: while checking the brakes, Mat discovers that a rear carbon-ceramic disc cracked... in the heat! Under pressure and heat, a damaged disc can shatter, projecting splinters at high speed and posing a serious accident risk. The bill is high: a rear disc costs £7,452 ex VAT, or around €8,750 inc VAT.
Mat didn't give up: despite the crack, he tried another lap in "last chance" mode. He set a time of 53.0 seconds, then tried to get closer to the record... but the brakes gave out again.
A good deal... provided you like hardship
Buy a damaged Lamborghini Revuelto at half price? On paper, it sounds like the deal of the century. But at the end of this mechanical trilogy full of twists and turns, one thing is clear: this kind of business is not for everyone.
It took months of work, exceptional technical expertise, solid relationships and, above all, a substantial budget for parts (sometimes €9,000 for a single brake disc) to get this hypercar back on the road...
On top of that, there's the enormous risk involved, between buying a vehicle officially considered to be beyond repair, hazardous electronic manipulations, and a record attempt on the racetrack with a cracked brake disc.
In short, while the story has an (almost) happy ending, it does remind us of a fundamental truth: in the world of supercars, what's expensive isn't always the purchase price... but everything that comes afterwards.
English 
French 
Italian 
Spanish 
Portuguese 
German 
Japanese 
Turkish