Lamborghini Murciélago LP
640 and Murciélago Spyder
The
Lamborghini Murciélago, the venerable successor of the Lamborghini
Diabolo, first arrived at Lamborghini’s dealerships in 2001 and was updated
to the LP 640 version in 2006. With a top speed of 337 km/h (211 mp/h),
it is the fastest serial produced car in the world. Production is not restrained
to any limited numbers. The V-12 engine produces 640 bhp and 650
Nm (480 lb ft). However, there is also a permanent four-wheel drive that
includes all 4 wheels, not only 2. Actually, we at Elegant-Lifestyle expect
all future fast cars to have a four wheel drive. So Lamboghini is setting
a standard here. If you order a Murcielago, the colour to chose is
yellow, or maybe orange as red is the colour for a Ferrari. And if
plain yellow is not enough, there is still the option of having a pearly
coloured paint. The only other two options are a navigation system or a
set of hand-made snow tires – price on request. Everything else is included
in the price, which depends on the strength of the dollar to the euro.
The
Murcielago’s external bodywork panels are made from carbon fiber except
for the steel roof and door panels. The rear of the car features the most
distinguishing sexy part of the car: two active intakes for the engine
cooling air that open automatically depending on the engine heat, which
Lamborghini calls Variable Air-flow Cooling system. It is a revolutionary
smart solution for a super sports car as the aperture of the intakes varies
to suit the driving conditions and at top speed we cannot help thinking
of a big bat. The design of the Murcielago was supposed to originate from
one of the famous Italian design studios. However, when Audi took over
Lamborghini it changed the car to a more edgy design and the briefing for
the new Dutch designer Luc Donckerwolke was simple: “We’ll make the engine,
you design the body to fit.” What was also inspired by Audi was the German
quest to build a reliable top quality car. The Diabolo was famous for breaking
down or starting an engine fire. In addition, Audi has had decades of experience
with four wheel drive - the Quattro being the best example.
The
four wheel drive enables the Murcielago to accelerate in 3.8 seconds to
60 mph. This is very much top notch for a car which will be produced at
around 300 units per year and makes the whole thing a very exclusive affair.
Drivers of the Murcielago have to get used to the idea of being the crowd-puller
whenever they are taking the car out for a drive. There are two stories
about how Lamborghini started: The Maranello story is that Enzo Ferrari
did not want to sell a car to Mr. Lamborghini. The Sant’ Agata Bolognese
story goes that Mr. Lamborghini did not think that the cars from Maranello
were good enough for his high standards. Well, we think you should test-drive
both of them to make up your mind between a Ferrari 575M Maranello or a
Lamborghini Murcielago. If you go for a test drive be aware of the fact
that the Lamborghini Murcielago is not designed for clutchless shifting.
That is a design challenge which is left for a potential successor of the
Lamborghini Murcielago.
Engine: 6.2L V12
Horsepower: 580 bhp / PS
Top Speed: 211 mph / 337
km/h
Peak torque: 650 Nm (480
lb ft)
Acceleration: 0-60
mph in 3.3 sec (0-100km/h in 3.5)
Retail Price: starting at
170,000 pounds (230,000 euros or 310,000 dollars MRSP)
The
Lamborghini Murciélago, the venerable successor of the Lamborghini
Diabolo, first arrived at Lamborghini’s dealerships in 2001 and was updated
to the LP 640 version in 2006. With a top speed of 337 km/h (211 mp/h),
it is the fastest serial produced car in the world. Production is not restrained
to any limited numbers. The V-12 engine produces 640 bhp and 650
Nm (480 lb ft). However, there is also a permanent four-wheel drive that
includes all 4 wheels, not only 2. Actually, we at Elegant-Lifestyle expect
all future fast cars to have a four wheel drive. So Lamboghini is setting
a standard here. If you order a Murcielago, the colour to chose is
yellow, or maybe orange as red is the colour for a Ferrari. And if
plain yellow is not enough, there is still the option of having a pearly
coloured paint. The only other two options are a navigation system or a
set of hand-made snow tires – price on request. Everything else is included
in the price, which depends on the strength of the dollar to the euro.
The
Murcielago’s external bodywork panels are made from carbon fiber except
for the steel roof and door panels. The rear of the car features the most
distinguishing sexy part of the car: two active intakes for the engine
cooling air that open automatically depending on the engine heat, which
Lamborghini calls Variable Air-flow Cooling system. It is a revolutionary
smart solution for a super sports car as the aperture of the intakes varies
to suit the driving conditions and at top speed we cannot help thinking
of a big bat. The design of the Murcielago was supposed to originate from
one of the famous Italian design studios. However, when Audi took over
Lamborghini it changed the car to a more edgy design and the briefing for
the new Dutch designer Luc Donckerwolke was simple: “We’ll make the engine,
you design the body to fit.” What was also inspired by Audi was the German
quest to build a reliable top quality car. The Diabolo was famous for breaking
down or starting an engine fire. In addition, Audi has had decades of experience
with four wheel drive - the Quattro being the best example.
The
four wheel drive enables the Murcielago to accelerate in 3.8 seconds to
60 mph. This is very much top notch for a car which will be produced at
around 300 units per year and makes the whole thing a very exclusive affair.
Drivers of the Murcielago have to get used to the idea of being the crowd-puller
whenever they are taking the car out for a drive. There are two stories
about how Lamborghini started: The Maranello story is that Enzo Ferrari
did not want to sell a car to Mr. Lamborghini. The Sant’ Agata Bolognese
story goes that Mr. Lamborghini did not think that the cars from Maranello
were good enough for his high standards. Well, we think you should test-drive
both of them to make up your mind between a Ferrari 575M Maranello or a
Lamborghini Murcielago. If you go for a test drive be aware of the fact
that the Lamborghini Murcielago is not designed for clutchless shifting.
That is a design challenge which is left for a potential successor of the
Lamborghini Murcielago.