Journalist Crashes Lamborghini Aventador During Autorevue Super Test
Austrian journalist Thomas Glavinic crashed a Lamborghini Aventador during a group road test in Italy, with new video showing the aftermath but confirming no injuries.
A Lamborghini Aventador suffered heavy damage after Austrian journalist Thomas Glavinic crashed the supercar during a group test organised by Autorevue magazine. The incident took place on 30 August 2011 on Italian roads as part of the publication’s annual supercar event. Glavinic was overtaking a truck when the collision happened. Police found no evidence of excessive speed. No injuries were reported, but the Aventador was heavily damaged. A video has surfaced showing the aftermath of the crash.
Lamborghini Aventador Crashed by Journalist During Test Drive
Details of the Crash
According to police reports, Glavinic was overtaking a long truck at the end of a car column when the accident occurred. The Aventador clipped the truck and was sent off the road into a ditch. Authorities confirmed there was no evidence of excessive speed at the scene. Neither Glavinic nor anyone else was injured in the crash, but the Lamborghini suffered significant damage to its bodywork and undercarriage. The incident brought an abrupt end to Autorevue’s opportunity to test Lamborghini’s flagship model on Italian roads.
Aftermath Captured on Video
A recently surfaced video captures the scene after the crash, showing the stricken Aventador in the ditch with emergency services present. The footage, filmed by a bystander, highlights the extent of the damage to the car’s front and side panels. The video has drawn attention online, as incidents involving high-value supercars often do, but offers little new information beyond confirming the car’s condition and that no one was hurt. The visual evidence shows the risks associated with testing powerful vehicles on public roads, even under controlled conditions.
Crash Investigation and Police Findings
Police investigated the circumstances of the crash and reported that there were no signs of excessive speed or reckless driving. The road conditions and the manoeuvre required to overtake the long truck at the end of a car column were considered as factors. The investigation concluded that it was a case of misjudgement rather than dangerous driving. The lack of injuries was a relief, but the damage to the Aventador was substantial, with repairs likely to be extensive and costly. The event also highlighted the importance of careful planning and caution during media drives, especially with high-performance vehicles like the Aventador.
Autorevue’s Annual Supercar Test
The Aventador involved in the crash was part of a fleet assembled for Autorevue’s annual supercar test, a tradition that brings together several high-performance vehicles for comparative evaluation. These tests are a regular feature in the motoring press, giving journalists the chance to experience and assess the latest and most powerful cars on the market. The crash cut short the magazine’s opportunity to fully test the Aventador on Italian roads, but no other vehicles were involved in the incident. Such group tests are typically conducted under strict guidelines, but the combination of unfamiliar cars, challenging road conditions, and the pressure to deliver comprehensive coverage can sometimes lead to accidents.
Supercar Crashes During Media Tests
While rare, supercar accidents involving journalists do occasionally occur during group tests or media drives. The combination of unfamiliar high-powered vehicles, public roads, and tight schedules can increase the risk, even when excessive speed is not a factor. Other recent incidents include a Cadillac ATS flipped by a journalist during a test drive in Georgia and a Lotus Elise Club Racer crashed by a Polish journalist during a media event. These examples illustrate the challenges faced by automotive journalists when testing vehicles that offer extreme performance in real-world conditions.
- Cadillac ATS flipped by a journalist during a test drive in Georgia.
- Lotus Elise Club Racer crashed by a Polish journalist during a media event.
Consequences for Lamborghini and the Media
For Lamborghini, the Aventador crash serves as a reminder of the risks associated with press drives of high-performance cars. The Aventador LP700-4, which debuted in 2011, was being widely tested by international media at the time. Such incidents can affect the manufacturer’s press programmes and may lead to increased scrutiny or changes in test protocols. For the media, the event highlights the need for careful risk management during vehicle testing. Despite the setback, the Aventador remains a significant model in Lamborghini’s line-up, known for its V12 engine and advanced technology.
For more on the model’s development and features, see the detailed overview of the LP700-4.
