2014 Lamborghini Veneno Roadster
By Lorenzo Bianchi November 28, 2014
Only nine units were produced in 2014, each priced at €3.3 million before tax.
Powered by a 6.5-litre V12 making 552 kW (750 hp), 0–100 km/h in 2.9 seconds.
Full carbon-fiber monocoque, racing-derived aerodynamics and an open design with no roof.
Design and Proportions of the Vehicle
The 2014 Lamborghini Veneno Roadster takes the already radical Veneno silhouette and makes it even more dramatic by removing the roof entirely. Lamborghini describes it as an “open racing prototype,” and looking at the bodywork, it’s hard to argue otherwise. The proportions remain extreme—an arrow-shaped nose, floating fenders and deep aerodynamic channels that cut through the body like the surfaces of a wind tunnel model. With no roof, the upper section of the car feels visually lighter, placing even more emphasis on the chiselled volumes and exposed carbon-fiber structures beneath
The front end operates like a single aerodynamic wing, pulling air across the hood and around the wheels. At the rear, the body fragments into functional elements: separated fenders, a smooth underbody flowing into a giant diffuser, and a rear wing shaped using motorsport simulation. A central stabilizing fin rises from the engine cover—an unmistakably race-derived component introduced for stability at high yaw angles.
Large intakes vent the engine bay, feeding air toward the adjustable rear wing. The exclusive alloy wheels integrate carbon-fiber turbine rings to draw cooling air toward the carbon-ceramic brakes, a rare example of wheel styling directly informed by brake thermodynamics.
The show car’s “Rosso Veneno” finish was created specifically for this model, though individual buyers were invited to customize their own.
Performance and Powertrain Overview
The Veneno Roadster uses Lamborghini’s 6.5-litre V12, tuned to deliver 552 kW (750 hp). Power is sent through a fast-shifting ISR gearbox with five modes, paired with permanent all-wheel drive and a racing-style pushrod suspension with horizontal spring-damper units.
Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 2.9 seconds, and the Roadster shares the coupe’s top speed of 355 km/h despite the open roof—an unusual achievement given the aerodynamic challenges of removing the upper bodywork
The car meets full global road-homologation standards, despite its extreme racing orientation.
Key Features and Interior Impression
Carbon fiber dominates every visible surface. The structural monocoque forms the sills and central tunnel, and almost every exterior panel is CFRP. Inside, the two lightweight bucket seats are made from Lamborghini’s Forged Composite material, chosen for strength and low mass. CarbonSkin—a flexible, fabric-like carbon weave—covers the cockpit, parts of the seats and the headliner, conforming to complex shapes while reducing weight
Dry weight sits at just 1,490 kg, giving the Roadster a power-to-weight ratio of 1.99 kg/hp. Lamborghini highlights this number as central to the driving experience: extreme acceleration, minimal inertia and chassis reactions closer to a prototype racer than a road car.
Safety systems, from airbags to ESP, remain integrated despite the track-biased nature of the machine.
Market Positioning and Segment Context
The Veneno Roadster arrived as a celebratory statement during Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary year—an engineering showcase rather than a commercial model. Only nine units were planned for 2014, placing it in one of the most exclusive categories of modern automotive production. The price of €3.3 million before tax underlined the intent: a collector’s object, a technical demonstration and a symbol of the company’s expertise in carbon-fiber construction.
In Lamborghini’s lineage of extreme limited editions, the Roadster stands among the most visually aggressive and structurally ambitious. It merges full motorsport aerodynamics with genuine road legality, offering an experience that sits between sculpture and competition machine.