Before its public debut, Lamborghini’s first US Aventador went on a secretive private tour
Published on Aug 30, 2025 at 3:07 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Aug 27, 2025 at 9:03 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
The first Lamborghini Aventador brought into the US was taken on a secretive tour of America, before the car even debuted.
The 2011 Aventador Coupe was recently donated by Lamborghini to the legendary Petersen Automotive Museum.
As well as being a legendary car for Lamborghini, it also happens to be a record-setter, as it was the first Aventador to land in the United States.
But before it was even officially unveiled to the public, Lamborghini used it as a confidential preview vehicle in several American cities.
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The first Lamborghini Aventador to be sold in the US had a secret past
The Petersen Automotive Museum is home to more than $1 billion worth of cars, from vintage muscle cars to one-off modern supercars.
It’s even got a hidden vault underneath, where it stores its most special cars.
So it’s the perfect place for a 2011 Lamborghini Aventador Coupe that holds a secret past.
The Aventador went into production in 2011, with a total of 11,831 built: 3,196 Roadsters, and 6,1196 Coupes.
This particular model was the first Lamborghini Aventador to be sold in the US, but before that, it served as a preview vehicle for Lamborghini.
While still not unveiled to the public, the carmaker showed the supercar to a select few clients and enthusiasts in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles to give them a first look.
Even after it debuted, the 2011 Aventador was still put to work by Lamborghini, being used in marketing campaigns, press drives, and even out on the track.
More than a decade on, the vehicle has now retired and been given a new home at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
“The Lamborghini V12 is essential to the DNA of the brand. It’s a symbol of Lamborghini’s performance and engineering prowess,” CEO of Automobili Lamborghini Americas Andrea Baldi said.
“With our donation to the Petersen Automotive Museum, this Aventador has found a special home to be admired by auto enthusiasts and passionate fans of the brand.”
Why it’s such a special supercar
Pairing stunning looks with next-level performance, the Aventador is more than just a supercar – it’s an icon.
Its V12 powertrain makes the car capable of hitting 0-62mph (0-100km) in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of more than 217mph.
It was in production for over a decade and is Lamborghini’s best-selling V12 model ever, managing to outsell the Countach, Diablo, and Murciélago.
And it’s great to see that history and heritage will be preserved with this extra special model now on proud display at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
