Lamborghini Murchiélago

Lamborghini Murciélago

The Lamborghini Murciélago is a high-performance two-door, two-seat sports car that was produced by Italian automaker Lamborghini between 2001 and 2010. Often referred to as a supercar, it was the flagship of the automaker's lineup. The Murciélago was introduced as a coupé in 2001 for the 2002 model year, succeeding the famed Diablo supercar in Lamborghini's lineup. The car was the automaker's first new design in eleven years, as well as the first under the ownership of German automaker Audi. It was styled by Peruvian-born Belgian Luc Donckerwolke, Lamborghini's head of design from 1998 to 2005.

A roadster version of the car was introduced in 2004, followed by the updated LP 640 coupé and roadster and LP 650-4 Roadster. The final variation to wear the Murciélago nameplate was the LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, powered by the largest and final evolution of the historic Lamborghini V12 engine. Production of the Murciélago ended on November 5, 2010, with a total run of 4,099 cars. A successor, powered by a new V12 engine, is expected in 2011.

The 6.2-liter V12 from a first-generation Murciélago

The Murciélago is a four-wheel-drive, mid-engined luxury sportscar. Its square body is especially high-slung, with its roof rising to just under 4 feet above the ground. The super-fast car features scissor doors, which contribute to its exotic image. First-generation Murciélagos, produced between 2001 and 2010, were powered by a Lamborghini V12 which traces its roots back to the company's beginnings in the 1960s. The rear differential is integrated into the engine unit, and the four-wheel drive features a central viscous coupling. Power was sent to the wheels through a six-speed manual. The Murciélago possesses an independent double-wishbone suspension design, and features a combination of carbon-fiber and steel bodywork. The rear spoiler and the air scoops integrated into the car's shoulders are electromechanically activated, and fold out from the body at high speeds to aid aerodynamic performance and provide additional engine cooling, respectively.

The V12 engine in these cars produced just under 580 PS, or pferdestärke (German: horse strength), a unit of power commonly used in Europe. The engine was capable of powering the car to a speed of 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.8 seconds. The first-generation cars, equipped with the 6.2-litre V12, were produced between 2001 and 2006, and are known simply as Murciélago. Although subsequent versions of the Murciélago were designated with their engine output in PS, the original cars were not designated "LP 580" in line with the later convention.
The Murciélago Roadster was introduced in 2004 as a 2005 model. A sign on the windshield header advises the driver not to exceed 100 mph (160 km/h) with the cloth top in place.Designer Donckerwolke cited the B-2 stealth bomber, the Wally 118 WallyPower yacht, and architect Santiago Calatrava's Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències in Valencia, Spain as his inspiration for the roadster's revised rear pillars and engine cover.

40th Anniversary Edition

In 2004, Lamborghini celebrated its 40th anniversary by releasing an Anniversary Edition of the Murciélago. In prior decades, the company had released commemorative editions of the Countach and Diablo. The 40th anniversary cars were produced in a limited run of 50 vehicles; enhancements included a limited-edition Blue body color that was labelled "Jade-Green", carbon-fiber exterior detailing, upgraded wheels, a revamped exhaust system, and a numbered plaque displayed inside the rear window. The interior featured a new leather trim and additional electronic features

 Lamborghini Murciélago 40th Anniversary edition.







 LP640

In March 2006, Lamborghini presented a new version of its halo car at the Geneva Motor Show: the Murciélago LP640. The new designation accompanying the car's name indicated the engine's position and orientation within the car (Longitudinale Posteriore, or "Rear Longitudinal"), and referenced the V12 engine's uprated power output; with its displacement increased to 6.5 litres, the engine in the new car made 640 PS (471 kW; 631 hp) at 8000 rpm. The Murciélago's exterior received a minor facelift, with revised front and rear fascias and side air intakes. A new exhaust system is shaped into the rear diffuser, and the left-hand side air intake is enlarged to accommodate the oil cooler. A revised suspension, a launch control system, and an all-wheel drive system round out the performance modifications. A new 6-speed "E-gear" sequential automatic transmission became available as well. The LP640 wears 335/30 tires on its rear wheels. Interior seating was reshaped to provide greater headroom, and an improved stereo system forms part of the updated dashboard. The U.S. MSRP was set at $318,800. Optional equipment included Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) ceramic composite brakes, chrome paddle shifters and a glass engine cover. The 2008 car's estimated fuel economy for the 6-speed manual is Template:Convert/ak47 city and 13 miles per US gallon (18 L/100 km; 16 mpg_-imp) freeway, making it the least efficient 2008 car for city and highway driving, according to the EPA.

At the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, Lamborghini announced that the Murciélago roadster had also been updated to LP640 trim.

LP640 Versace

The Murciélago LP640 Versace is a special edition of the LP640 that was first revealed at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. The twenty white and black cars feature two-tone black and white trim inside and out, with interiors finished in custom Versace leather, along with a Gianni Versace logo plaque. Lamborghini also presented a black and white LP640 Roadster Versace, again only twenty were produced.

LP 650-4 Roadster

In 2009, Lamborghini released a limited-run update of the Murciélago Roadster. The LP 650-4's engine is rated at 650 PS (478 kW; 641 hp) and 660 N·m (490 lb·ft), allowing the car to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 329.9 km/h (205.0 mph). All cars are painted Grigio Telesto grey with Arancio orange highlights. The color scheme is continued on the interior, which features an asymmetric dash design.

LP 670-4 SuperVeloce

A Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce

At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini unveiled a new version of the Murciélago, the LP 670-4 SuperVeloce. The SV moniker had previously appeared on the 1995–99 Diablo SV, a highly tuned version of the car that appeared close to the end of the model's production run, as well as on the Miura SV, the last and most famous version of the Miura that improved every aspect of the car. 
The SuperVeloce's V12 produces 670 PS (493 kW; 661 hp) at 8000 rpm and 660 N·m (490 lb·ft) of torque at 6500 rpm, thanks to improved valve timing and intake system modifications. The car's weight was reduced by 100 kg (220 lb) by swapping several interior parts and exterior panels out for carbon fiber replacements, along with the installation of a new, lighter exhaust system. The LP670-4 SV comes standard with the LP640's optional six-piston caliper, 15-inch carbon-ceramic disc brakes, slowing black 18-inch wheels. In its June 2009 issue, Car and Driver magazine predicted that the LP 670-4 SV was capable of reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standing start in just 2.8  seconds and 9.7 seconds to 200 km/h (120 mph) . Lamborghini claims the car can reach 342 km/h (213 mph) with an optional smaller spoiler, or 337 km/h (209 mph) with the standard Aeropack wing.
According to Maurizio Reggiani, head of Lamborghini R&D, the LP 670-4 SV's steering was tuned for high-speed sensitivity. Production of the top-of-the-line Murciélago was limited to 350 cars, priced at $450,000+ all the way in upwards to 600,000.
In April 2010, Lamborghini released a variant of the LP 670-4 called the SuperVeloce China Limited Edition. The car is distinguished by special exterior markings.