Lambo registers Aventador name

Lamborghini's replacement for the Murciélago hypercar will be named Aventador, according to reports.

The firm has registered the Aventador name with the US trademark office, raising speculation that the car, set for a Geneva motor show 2011 launch, will take that name for production.

Lamborghini has a tradition of naming its cars after Spanish bulls; Aventador would fit that brief. There has also been previous speculation that the car may take the Jota name for production, but no patent application has been filed for that name.

The US trademark office's website explains coverage will include the use of the Aventador name on vehicles, clothing, footwear, games and playthings among other applications.

Whatever the car ends up being called, it will be powered by an all-new 6.5-litre V12 engine mated to a new single-clutch automated manual gearbox. The V12 has 59bhp more than the outgoing unit, at 691bhp. There’s more torque, too - a peak of 509lb ft - and it’s available 500rpm further down the rev range, at 5500rpm.