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Lamborghini Athon
Lamborghini Athon
Lamborghini
aka Athon
Production 1980
1 unit produced
Class Prototype Concept Car
Body Style Two-door coupe, two-seater convertible
Length 3,739 mm (147.2 in)
Width 1,882 mm (74.1 in)
Height 1,041 mm (41 in)
Wheelbase 2,455 mm (96.6 in)
Weight 350 kg
Transmission 5-speed manual
Engine 3.0 L (183 cu in) V8
Power 260 bhp at 7500 rpm
202 lbs.ft at 3500 rpm
Similar Lamborghini Bravo
Designer Marc Deschamps at Bertone


The Lamborghini Athon is a concept car designed by Bertone for Lamborghini. It was first displayed at the 1980 Turin Motor Show.

Widely praised, the design was based on the, then out of production, Silhoutte chassis. It was a sleek topless roadster, with a finely detailed, futuristic interior and powered by a 3L, 260bhp V8 engine. The vehicle was never intended to be put into production, but Lamborghini's financial troubles at the time didn't help matters any. It did the show car circuit and then was sent to the Bertone museum to be preserved.


Name[]

Straying from the brand’s traditional bull-themed nomenclature, the Athon’s name is inspired by the Egyptian sun deity, signifying a “Hymn to the sun.”


History[]

The Athon became an instant success. The public and the critics loved its spectacular look, the clear lines of the nose, the large curved windscreen, which was also the only protection for the driver because there was absolutely no top on this dream car, and the clever design of the engine hood. It incorporated the air filter in a very graphic form, just before this hood a small luggage compartment was located, even the design of the wheels was praised, they even returned on the Jalpa much later. The interior was very futuristic, with the controls located on satellite’s like in a Citroën, and a very stylistic gear shift lever. The steering wheel completely blended in with the dashboard and the electronic readouts were just a bit too futuristic at the time. It was completely upholstered in a beige/brown leather.

At this time Automobili Lamborghini was in great difficulty. the attempted takeover by Neumann and co. didn’t prove a success, and the company went into liquidation. The future of the company didn’t look too shiny, but also the market for open top sport cars wasn’t very bright looking. Therefore the introduction of the Athon came as a surprise, more so because it was based on the Silhouette which was had been out of production for three years.

The Athon gave the name Lamborghini a new impulse, the name was again talked about all over the world, mostly because the Athon became lots of attention in the automotive press.

The Athon is now located in the Bertone museum, along with several other dream cars, but the design of the rear deck would reappear much later on the Jalpa Speedster prototype.

On February 28th, 1980, Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini was declared bankrupt and was put into receivership. At this time, the two most important Lamborghini dealers in the world, Romano Bernardoni’s Emilianauto in Bologna and Achilli Motors in Milan, financed the construction of the cars they needed by paying them in advance. In July 1980, the factory was entrusted to Patrick Mimram’s management, and on May 23rd 1981, the courts of Bologna decided on the sale of the factory for Lit. 3.850.000.000 to Mr Mimram, who renamed it to Nuova Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini.

On May 21, 2011, the unique Lamborghini Athon was auctioned for $487,000 by RM Sotheby during the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este event.


Specifications[]

The Lamborghini Athon is based on the Lamborghini Silhouette chassis and features a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Here are some key aspects of the car:

Engine 3.0-liter V8. It features a DOHC (double overhead camshaft) design and is naturally aspirated
Power 260 Horsepower and 237 lb-ft of torque
Transmission 5-speed manual transmission
Design Showcases a striking and futuristic design. It has a wedge-shaped body, with sharp angles and flat surfaces. It is a convertible with a targa-style removable roof panel
Interior Minimalistic and features a futuristic Digital Dashboard, which was ahead of its time. The car has two bucket seats and a Compact cabin
Top speed Close to 160 mph ( Considering its engine and lightweight design )
0 – 60 Km/h 6.00 sec ( Considering its engine and lightweight design )

Exterior[]

The Lamborghini Athon’s exterior design is an elegant combination of sharp lines, futuristic curves, and aerodynamic shapes. The car showcases the design language of the 1980s with some aspects that would later be found in the Lamborghini Countach and Lamborghini Diablo. The low-slung profile and the angular, wedge-like appearance of the car made it a standout during its time.

Pop-up Headlights It features a pair of pop-up headlights that contribute to its sleek look
Targa-Style Roof It does not have a traditional roof; instead, it has a targa-style removable roof panel, allowing for an open-top driving experience
Side Air Intakes Large air intakes are positioned on the sides of the car to provide cooling for the mid-mounted engine
Angular Rear Design The rear showcases a combination of sharp angles and minimalistic lines, contributing to its futuristic look

Interior[]

The interior of the Lamborghini Athon is a reflection of the 1980s, featuring a minimalist design language and an emphasis on ergonomics. The cabin layout is driver-focused, with a cockpit-like environment that is aimed at providing the driver with the utmost control over the vehicle.

Some noteworthy interior design features include:

Digital Instrument Cluster It features a digital instrument cluster with futuristic, electronic displays for the speedometer, tachometer, and other essential information
Center Console The center console is angled towards the driver, housing controls for the car’s various functions, including the climate control system and the audio system
Two-tone Leather Upholstery The seats and interior panels are covered in two-tone leather, providing a luxurious and comfortable driving experience
Bucket Seats It features sporty bucket seats that are designed to keep occupants secure during spirited driving

Gallery[]



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