New Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 in Detail

The new Murciélago LP640

Unmistakable design
More powerful engine
Gearbox and transmission: improved efficiency and strength
Electronics: a "closed loop" for total control
Frame and chassis: perfect harmony
Brakes and safety: optional ceramic carbon brakes
Interior: even more exclusive and customised
Technical Data

Last year the “Casa del Toro” sold 1,600 automobiles worldwide: 1,071 Gallardo and 529 Murciélago cars (including 250 Roadsters), with a turnover of 243 million euros and realising a profit for the second consecutive year.

2006 will also be an important year for the Sant’ Agata Bolognese company.

The new Murciélago is being presented just a few months after the launch of the Gallardo Spyder, which accompanies the other open-top model in the Lamborghini range, the Murciélago Roadster. First deliveries of the Gallardo Spyder are imminent, with the response to this sports car so immediate that all 800 units to be produced have already been ordered by the 86 Lamborghini dealerships worldwide.

In Lamborghini tradition, the Gallardo Spyder is equipped with permanent four-wheel drive and has a powerful 5.0-litre V 10 engine (EURO 4) with 520 horsepower at 8,000 rpm (the same as the Gallardo Coupé MY 06). The Gallardo Spyder reaches a maximum speed of 314 km/h and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds.

The Gallardo Spyder is not just a topless version of the Coupé, but an entirely new model. Its design is clean and sharp, the result of perfect integration between stylistic and functional requirements. The Spyder’s truly innovative soft-top opening/closing system is effected totally automatically in only a few seconds, stowing the roof invisibly under the car’s engine cover.

Like all Lamborghini models the Spyder is offered with a comprehensive range of standard and optional features, from the automatic e-gear to the rear video camera for facilitating parking. In addition, customers enjoy an opportunity to further customise their cars under Lamborghini’s “Privilegio” programme, which is also available on the Gallardo Coupé.

Today the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder is considered one of the most captivating open-top automobiles in the world, with no accident that a prestigious international jury voted it ‘The World’s Most Beautiful Car’ in the sports car category.

This honour will be officially awarded at the Triennale di Milano on 3 March 2006, at the start of the Geneva Motor Show. As such, Automobili Lamborghini is a state-of-the-art company with a focus always maintained on the future, but without forgetting its heritage; so much so that it is reintroducing the “Miura Concept” at the Geneva show, a modern version of the legendary Lamborghini Miura. The original car was designed by Marcello Gandini and presented at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show (exactly 40 years ago) by Ferruccio Lamborghini and Nuccio Bertone.

Designed by Walter de’ Silva, Director of Design of the Audi Brand Group and the manager of Design Lamborghini, the Miura Concept is a prototype. The Italian designer wanted to redesign each architectural and stylistic element without misrepresenting the car’s original form.

The concept car’s line, like the original model, remains extraordinarily pure. The designer has focused on improving the surfaces and eliminating superfluous details, in order to emphasise the clean shapes and proportions of the Miura.

Automobili Lamborghini will present the passionately developed evolution of the Lamborghini Murciélago Coupé at the 76^th International Car Show in Geneva.

The new version of this highly successful super-sports car features considerable innovations in terms of body design and mechanics. And also with a new name: Murciélago LP640, which refers to its engine position - longitudinale posteriore - and to its power 640 hp. Designers and engineers have not only focused on reworking the engine, suspensions, gearbox, exhaust system, brakes and electronics, but also the interior and exterior design; improvements that make the Murciélago LP 640 the most extreme and fastest sports car in its class, placing it at the very top.

The first vehicles will be available in spring 2006. Since the original Murciélago’s debut at the 2001 International Car Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, around 2,000 vehicles have left the car plant in Sant’ Agata Bolognese.

Unmistakable Design

In their reinterpretation of the Murciélago LP640, the designers at the Lamborghini Style Centre have remained true to the traditional Lamborghini principles of purism, sport and function. The Murciélago LP640 now appears even more aggressive, with the new front and rear bumpers contributing significantly to its appearance. The exhaust system terminal has been incorporated in the diffuser on the rear bumper. Other innovations include the rear lights, which enhance the distinguishing features of the Murciélago LP640, making it unmistakable even at night. The design of the sides is also worth mentioning: while the area behind the air intake on the right side is practically closed, the left side features a vast aperture for cooling the oil radiator. Together with the aerodynamically defined front and rear, this proves yet again that the shape of a Lamborghini is dictated by function.

For those wishing to flaunt the heart of their Murciélago LP640, on request an engine hood made of transparent glass can be supplied. The rear view mirrors and the windscreen wipers have been modified to improve aerodynamics and “Hermera” light metal wheel rims have been added. The graphics of the instrument panel lights in the cockpit have been revamped. The interior upholstery also has a new look thanks to the lozenge-shaped stitching.

More powerful engine

The engine of the new Murciélago LP640 has undergone outstanding and radical modification. The increased bore and longer stroke have boosted the displacement of the classic 60° V-engine from 6.2 litres to 6.5 litres (6,496 cm³). Thus the already extraordinary 580 hp engine power has now been elevated to an impressive peak of 640 hp (471 kW) at 8,000 min^-1. The 12-cylinder engine reaches a maximum torque of 660 Nm at 6,000 min^-1. Naturally, the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 complies with every European and North American law governing exhaust fumes.

This “evolutionary leap forward” has been possible thanks to a coherent review of every engine component: the cylinder head and the entire intake system (based on the tried and tested Lamborghini variable geometry system), have been completely reworked. The crankshaft, camshafts and exhaust system have also undergone innovation.

The increase in power naturally determines an increase in performance. The maximum speed is now 340 km/h (before 330 km/h). The excellent performance of the Murciélago LP640 means it can now accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds (0.4 seconds faster than the previous model).

Lamborghini engineers have also concentrated on improving torque development. The “drivability” of the engine is enhanced by a continuous variable timing system (intake and exhaust side) and a drive-by-wire engine management system.

To meet the thermal requirements of the engine, the engineers have foreseen a considerably larger oil radiator and subsequently, the air intake on the left side of the vehicle has been enlarged. The liquid cooling system, characterised by the Lamborghini VACS system (variable geometry air inlet system) remains the same. Electronically managed air intakes open depending on the outdoor temperature and the need for cooling air, ensuring maximum aerodynamic efficiency.

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