By Scott Campbell | Photos from CrankandPiston & Lamborghini

First unveiled to the public on an Italian naval aircraft carrier Nave Cavour at a special event in Abu Dhabi in December last year, the launch of the magnificent #!slide/4500">Veneno Roadster coincides with Lamborghini's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Priced at £2.8 million / US$4.78 million before tax, the Veneno supersedes the Bugatti Veyron as the most expensive car in the world.

Like the Veneno coupe, production of the Roadster is limited to an exclusive nine units.

Unveiled in the paint colour of 'Rosso Veneno' was developed exclusively for the Veneno Roadster, although each single customer will be able to individualize his own vehicle to suit his personal preferences.

With a maximum output of 552 kW / 750 hp, the Roadster accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds and top speed stands at 355 km/h. It is driven by a twelve-cylinder engine with a displacement of 6.5 liters and is equipped with the extremely fast-shifting ISR transmission with five modes, permanent all-wheel drive and a racing chassis with pushrod suspension and horizontal spring/damper units.

Lamborghini Veneno Roadster also comes with extreme proportions, as well as the powerfully arrow-shaped front end and the interplay between razor-sharp lines and precise surfaces.

The entire design of the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster brings in the element of airflow and down force. The front end works as a large aerodynamic wing. The visual division of the rear fenders from the car body is a reference to the world of racing cars and optimizes the aerodynamic flow.

The smooth underbody transitions into a substantial diffuser framing the four sizable exhaust pipes divided by a splitter. Large openings serve to ventilate the engine bay and direct airflow to the rear wing.

The design of the adjustable rear wing is the product of motorsport experience and extensive aerodynamic simulation to ensure optimum airflow in the interaction of the rear wing with the rear diffuser.

The systematic, carbon-fiber, lightweight design of the Veneno Roadster results in a dry weight of just 1,490 kilograms, and possesses a power-to-weight ratio of just 1.99 kg/hp which assures a mindnumbingly superior performance.

With an aerodynamic setup configured for extreme downforce, the Veneno Roadster possesses exceptionally low wind resistance allowing it to achieve a top speed of 355 km/h (221 mph).