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The new Lamborghini supercar, the Reventon, has been named the world's most beautiful automobile for 2007 - soon after it dragged off a jet fighter on a runway in Italy.
The award was announced in Milan by a panel of international automotive and design experts, chaired by Italian visual arts critic Bruno Alfieri.
The Reventon was unveiled for the first time at the Frankfurt motor show in September. Only 20 models will be built, each priced at around $2 million. All 20 have already been sold.
The judges selected the Reventon for its "extreme, consistent, sharp-edged styling inspired by modern aeronautics, all features that make it a work of art".
The Reventon's design penned by Lamborghini's styling centre in collaboration with the company's research and development people drew its inspiration from the world's fastest fighter aircraft.
The judges praised the car's "precise, technically impressive style with sharp edges, exact lines and clean surfaces, along with its exclusive new matte grey-green exterior colour".
The award ceremony was highlighted by a sprint along a 3000m runway at a military base between the Reventon and a Tornado jet fighter.
The Reventon took the lead early but the Tornado soon caught up. The Reventon was doing 340km/h when the jet passed it.
Lamborghini says it staged the demonstration to emphasise the Reventon's aeronautic styling.
