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The 'Lamborghini Murciélago' is a supercar produced by a Italian automaker Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. and designed by Luc Donckerwolke. It was introduced in 2002 as the successor to the Diablo. The Murciélago is a two-door, two-seat coupé. To celebrate the company's 40 years in operation, 50 special edition Murciélagos were built during the autumn of 2003.
An open-top version called the 'Murciélago Roadster' was introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year. The roadster features similar performance to the coupé with a more aggressive rear flank, as well as a considerably higher price tag.
The Murciélago sports a 6.2 L version of the legendary Lamborghini V12 engine, a six-speed manual or six-speed sequential automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive. It also has a rear spoiler that can be raised to an angle of 70 degrees, side mirrors that fold in to improve aerodynamics, and side scoops that automatically open to the needed size to let in just the right amount of air needed to cool its engine.
The coupé's base price is US$ 289,000, which is US$ 90,000 more than its smaller sibling, the Lamborghini Gallardo.
In 2006 the Murciélago's engine was replaced by a stronger 6.5-litre engine and the car's name was changed to 'Murciélago LP640'. For the 2007 model year Lamborghini did the same with the roadster model, which is now called 'Murciélago LP640 Roadster'.

Contents

The name

LP640

Engine

LP640 Roadster

LP640 Versace

Specifications

Motorsport

Related Information

References

External links

The name

The name ''Murciélago'' comes from a bull that survived 245 sword strokes in an 1879 fight at the arena of Córdoba, and fought with such passion and spirit that the matador chose to spare its life, a rare honor. In another Lamborghini tie-in, the bull was later presented as a gift to Don Antonio Miura, a noted breeder, and went on to sire a line of famous fighting bulls. ''Murciélago'' also means bat in Spanish.

LP640

The 'LP640' version was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006, as a facelift for the coupé version. It features a 6.5 L engine, now producing 640 bhp, improving performance substantially. Like the base Murciélago, the engine is mounted "backwards", with the transmission in front of the engine and the differential behind it, instead of a transaxle normally seen on mid-engine cars. There were also a few minor external changes, primarily to the low air intakes.
The front and rear bumpers have been reshaped to channel air more efficiently, and the new exhaust has been shaped into the rear diffuser to minimize aerodynamic lift. The air intake on the left side has been enlarged to accommodate the feeding of the oil cooler. The car's body is made up of steel and carbon fiber, while underneath a revised suspension has been added to keep up with the car's exceptional performance. It also has an all-wheel-drive system that normally distributes 70% of the torque to the rear wheels, but can allocate up to 100% to either end depending on where the grip is running out. There are also new 18-inch Hermera alloy wheels running huge 335/30 tires at the rear. The LP640 retains the original car's scissor-opening doors.The LP640 U.S. MSRP rests at $311,100.
Inside the LP640, the seating has been reshaped to accommodate greater headroom, while an upgraded instrument panel is flanked by an improved stereo system.
The LP640's optional equipment includes ceramic brakes for swifter braking and a glass engine cover which shows off the LP640's 6.5 L V12 engine.
A special edition version of the Murciélago LP640 was introduced at the Paris Motor Show. The Versace edition features a customized all-white exterior and a matching white interior. However, a 1-of-a-kind black LP640 Versace and LP640 Roadster Versace were also presented by the factory. ^[1]
Lamborghini announced the LP640 Roadster version at the 2006 LA Auto Show.^[2]

Engine

LP stands for ''Longitudinale Posteriore'', referring to the longitudinally-mounted, 6.5 L V12 engine, capable of producing up to 633 bhp at 8000 rpm. Along with a new six-speed manual transmission, which can come in Lamborghini's optional paddle shift "E-gear" package, the LP640 can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds: 0.4 seconds quicker than the normal Murciélago. The LP640 is accommodated by an electronic Launch control device called "Thrust."

LP640 Roadster

The new Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster was presented on the 2006 Los Angeles Autoshow. It features the same engine as the LP640 coupé and replaces the 6.2 L Murciélago Roadster.

LP640 Versace

Presented at the Paris International Autoshow, the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Versace is a special edition version of the LP640 Coupé, with all the same performance features. The only difference is the two tone white-black trim, shown on both the exterior and interior of the car. However, Lamborghini de Spa have also built 1 black LP640 & LP640 Roadster. It also features custom Versace leather seating and a Gianni Versace logo plaque inside the vehicle.^[3]

Specifications

Model	Engine	Power	Torque	0-60 mph	0-100 mph	0-150 mph	Quarter Mile	Top Speed
Murcielago	6.2 L V12	572 bhp	479 ft·lbf	3.8 sec	9.5 sec	21.4 sec	12.6 sec @116 mph	205 mph/330 km/h
Murcielago LP640	6.5 L V12	633 bhp	487 ft·lbf	3.4 sec	8.1 sec	16.1 sec	11.8 sec @126 mph	211 mph/340 km/h

Source: Lamborghini Press Release^[4]

Motorsport

The Lamborghini Murciélago R-GT is a race-only version of the Murciélago, developed jointly with Reiter Engineering and Audi Sport. It has rear-wheel drive unlike the standard Murciélago to comply with the FIA, ACO, and JAF rules. The car features an airflow-restricted 5999 cc engine. Its acceleration and top speed are highly dependent on the gearing selected for a particular race track.
In March 2006 at the Super GT Suzuka 500 km, the Murcielago R-GT specifically built for Super GT (and rebadged RG-1) recorded the first win ever for a Murcielago when the number 88 AKTIO Murcielago R-GT run by the Japan Lamborghini Owners Club garnered an in class win in the GT300 class.
In March 2007 at the FIA GT Championship China Ground, the Murcielago got its first win in GT Championship.
In December 2006, Reiter Engineering tested an upgraded Murcielago R-GT LM, featuring redesigned body work and a new rear wing with less drag.

Related Information

★ Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa is the only person in the world to own a converted automatic Murciélago. The car was given to her as a gift by her husband, but upon realizing she could not drive a manual transmission, Kobe Bryant had the car converted to an automatic. The estimated cost of the car after conversion and customization was US$400,000.

★ German tuner Hamann Motorsport produced a one off LP640 Roadster with enhanced aerodynamic components, new rear silencer, new rims and some interior enhancements.

★ Christian Bale, as Bruce Wayne in "Batman Begins", is seen arriving at a Gotham hotel in a Roadster, appropriate given his secret identity as Batman - Murcielago means bat in Spanish.

References

1. Paris Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Versace Unveiled
2. Lamborghini Takes the Wrap off the LP640 Roadster
3. Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Versace Edition
4. Lamborghini Press Release: GENEVA 2006, Automobili Lamborghini

External links

★ Around the lap in a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

★ Murcielago Video Site

★ Interesting report about strange accidents and flaws with the Murcielago

★ www.topgear.com

★ First Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster pictures and info

★ Lamborghini fan's photos and tips
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