Lamborghini Egoista (2013) first official pictures

Lamborghini's latest birthday present to itself is this: the crazy-looking Egoista concept. The one-off Egoista follows the Veneno and Aventador Anniversario in paying tribute to Lamborghini's 50th year in the supercar business, and is the most radical looking yet – it's so exclusive Lambo isn't even considering putting it up for sale.

Nope, this is a bespoke single-seater, with a fighter-jet style canopy over the central driving position. Lambo says the Apache helicopter-style cockpit designed to 'fit the driver like a tailored suit'. The sharp-edged styling is inspired by a bull with its horns lowered, ready to charge, says Lambo, while the sparse bodywork over the car's rear shows off the lightweight design. It's Ariel Atom meets BAC Mono with a hint of stealth bomber – the car is covered in military-grade radar-absorbing paint, with even the intricate alloy wheels using a radar-proof finish. Wonder if it works on police speed radar 'guns'..?

There are more cues from the aerospace industry, like active aerodynamics integrated into the body, and LED clearance lights like you'll find on the wingtips of an airliner. The Egoista's carbonfibre and aluminium body's angular form was penned by Walter de Silva, who already has the designs of the Alfa Romeo 156, Audi R8 and VW Scirocco under his belt.

A mid-mounted 5.2-litre V10, tuned from its regular 552bhp output in the ageing Gallardo. Here it develops 592bhp, though Lamborghini hasn't revealed performance specs. Gallardo owners needn't worry about the Egoista outrunning them on the road though: Lambo CEO Stephen Winkelmann has confirmed the Egoista will remain in Lamborghini's possession at Sant A'gata, with no limited series production run planned.

By Ollie Kew