Valentino Balboni launches company for Lamborghini aftermarket parts
Former Lamborghini chief test driver Valentino Balboni has established a new company, VB, to offer exclusive aftermarket components for Lamborghini models, starting with a titanium exhaust for the Aventador SV.
Valentino Balboni, Lamborghini’s former chief test driver and a name closely associated with the brand’s V12 era, has set up his own company to produce aftermarket components tailored for Lamborghini owners. The new business, called VB, will focus on exclusive tuning parts, with the first product being a titanium exhaust system for the Aventador SuperVeloce.
Balboni’s career at Lamborghini began in 1973, when he joined as an apprentice and soon became the company’s chief test driver. He was involved in the development and testing of some of Lamborghini’s most notable models, including the Miura SV and the Gallardo. Lamborghini honoured him in 2009 with the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni, a rear-wheel-drive special edition named after him.(See our feature on the Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni in Top Gear's fourteenth series:video-top-gear-season-14-episode-3.)
First product: Titanium exhaust for Aventador SV
VB’s debut product is a lightweight titanium exhaust system designed specifically for the Lamborghini Aventador SuperVeloce. The system weighs just 6.3kg, significantly less than the standard unit, and is intended to deliver both a distinctive sound and a striking appearance. Production is limited to 350 units. The exhaust will be unveiled at the Concorso Italiano in California on 20 August 2016, coinciding with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Focus on exclusivity for Lamborghini owners
VB will cater to Lamborghini enthusiasts seeking bespoke upgrades, with future products expected to target other models in the range. The company’s approach is to combine Balboni’s deep knowledge of the brand with high-end materials and limited production runs, appealing to collectors and drivers who want something beyond the factory specification.
