[caption id="attachment_1328" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Ferrari F12 Berlinetta"]

[/caption]Automobili Lamborghini debuted its first model at the Turin Motor Show in 1963, beginning a competition with Ferrari and its founder, Enzo Ferrari, that would garner globe-spanning attention and lead to the creation of some of the world’s best and, many would say, most beautiful supercars.Stories of Lamborghini’s origin differ, but most agree that the wealthy agricultural equipment manufacturer Ferruccio Lamborghini was displeased with a Ferrari automobile that he had owned and was met with contempt and disregard when he posed the problem to Ferrari.From that point on he undertook a mission of creating and manufacturing automobiles that were meant to be driven, not raced. Many connoisseurs of the exotic automobile market agree that each manufacturer has shown, over time, their devotions to their respective ethos – Ferrari’s were made to be raced, while Lamborghini’s were made to be driven. Five decades of competition have resulted in two of today’s most revered exotic automobiles, the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 and the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. What follows is a short comparison between what we believe to be two of the most coveted automobiles on earth.DesignThe 2013 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is Ferrari’s answer to Lamborghini’s 2012 Aventador LP 700-4. At first glance these cars are both breathtaking. The Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 continues the brand’s iconic and sleek wedge-shaped design, boasting the prowess of a mighty mid-engine machine with a powerful front air dam and two oversized side air intakes. The exterior design of the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta competes with contours that exaggerate the wheels and elongate the hood which hides Ferrari’s own formidable engine.PowerUtilizing only the second V12 that Lamborghini has ever built, the Aventador’s new 6.5-liter V12 puts out 690 horsepower and 509 lb.-ft. of torque giving it a maximum speed that Lamborghini lists at 217 mph and a gut-wrenching time of just 2.9 seconds to go from 0-62 mph. The Berlinetta upgrades the 6.3-liter V12 engine used in the FF wagon and, according to Ferrari, is capable of an incredible 730 horsepower and 508 lb.-ft. of torque. It has a top speed edging over 211 mph, and can go from 0-60 mph in only 3.1 seconds. These stats give the Aventador an ever-so-slight edge over the Berlinetta on the basis of power alone.Performance[caption id="attachment_1330" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Lamborghini Aventador LP 700"]

[/caption]Ferrari’s engineers focused on improving the Berlinetta’s handling performance by increasing its structural rigidity by 20 percent. They also lowered the car’s center of gravity and moved the engine towards the rear of the car. Combined with a short wheelbase and an overall weight of 3,363 pounds, the Berlinetta may have the edge here when it takes to the track against the Aventador. Keeping with its ethos, Lamborghini’s engineers worked to make the Aventador an accessible supercar, and that means giving it the ability to be proficiently handled by non-professional drivers.At 106.3 inches, it sports a wider wheelbase than the Berlinetta’s 94.5 inches. Weighing in at 3,816 pounds, the wider wheelbase helps to make up for a load that is a bit heavier than the Berlinetta’s. The Berlinetta’s front engine/rear-wheel drive setup may feel more familiar to most drivers than the mid-engine layout of the Aventador, but the onboard computers of both cars feature graphical user interfaces that help to guide the driver through the multitude of ride-customization options that help to personalize the experience of piloting such powerful automobiles.Both the Aventador and the Berlinetta host a wealth of performance-enhancing features, such as high-performance ABS algorithms, that make the experience of driving either car into just that – a true experience. The results are simply too close to call based on specifications alone. The slightly higher power of the Aventador is offset by its heavier weight; however, the wide wheelbase may make up for that deficiency in handling on the track.The Berlinetta’s engine isn’t quite the all-new power monger that is the Aventador’s power plant, yet its lighter weight may prove a viable counter to the lesser power. Soon enough this competition will begin again, with Lamborghini set to debut the Aventador’s successor soon, and Ferrari to, undoubtedly, respond in kind. Whether you need to protect an exotic supercar, a four-door sedan or anything in between, look to Auto Super Shield to provide either automobile with the advanced protection that all cars deserve.Ferrari vs. Lamborghini? Its always a tough decision, but hopefully you can now make an informed decision.