Matt black LP640 ... and a quandry!
Discussion
I went to my dealership today intending to try the new Superleggera they have in stock, but instead encountered this beast, delivered yesterday from the factory, only 70kms on the clock:
One test drive later and I'm stunned. Such enormous presence, a real event to drive it. I was surprised it didn't take off more quickly though - I was expecting acceleration to be savage but it wasn't. The dealer told me it was largely the gearing (110kmh in first). Also, I wanted it to spit flames and be properly loud, but it was just sweet sounding but relatively quiet. If I have a criticism, and it feels daft saying this, I thought the interior was a bit below par, specifically the CHF 4600 satnav: just a Kenwood unit that looks like it has been fitted by the local audio hifi shop. And the dash area clearly looking old fashioned. But lovely fit and finish, and those quilted seats were excellent!
Then the dealer handed me the keys to the LP560. I'd driven this before and came away not that impressed. I guess I must have been on drugs that day - I absolutely LOVED the car, AND the e-gear. It was way quicker than my other Superleggera, and really quite savage when you push it. A blatting car in a way that I don't think the LP640 is.
So now I'm confused. The LP560 would entertain more, the LP640 would be more of an event. Didn't even bother trying their Superleggera.
Thoughts welcomed!
One test drive later and I'm stunned. Such enormous presence, a real event to drive it. I was surprised it didn't take off more quickly though - I was expecting acceleration to be savage but it wasn't. The dealer told me it was largely the gearing (110kmh in first). Also, I wanted it to spit flames and be properly loud, but it was just sweet sounding but relatively quiet. If I have a criticism, and it feels daft saying this, I thought the interior was a bit below par, specifically the CHF 4600 satnav: just a Kenwood unit that looks like it has been fitted by the local audio hifi shop. And the dash area clearly looking old fashioned. But lovely fit and finish, and those quilted seats were excellent!
Then the dealer handed me the keys to the LP560. I'd driven this before and came away not that impressed. I guess I must have been on drugs that day - I absolutely LOVED the car, AND the e-gear. It was way quicker than my other Superleggera, and really quite savage when you push it. A blatting car in a way that I don't think the LP640 is.
So now I'm confused. The LP560 would entertain more, the LP640 would be more of an event. Didn't even bother trying their Superleggera.
Thoughts welcomed!
Must say I was surprised by your initial review of the LP560 when every car mag journo has heaped praise on it. The LP640 looks superb but remember that the SuperVeloce version is due to land next March as the final run out model. I'm not sure if that will help or hinder late model LP640 residuals. If you already have a Superleggera wouldn't the LP640 give you something totally different? Or you could possibly wait for the LP560 spyder 
isuk said:
Must say I was surprised by your initial review of the LP560 when every car mag journo has heaped praise on it. The LP640 looks superb but remember that the SuperVeloce version is due to land next March as the final run out model. I'm not sure if that will help or hinder late model LP640 residuals. If you already have a Superleggera wouldn't the LP640 give you something totally different? Or you could possibly wait for the LP560 spyder
I know - don't know what I was smoking when first tested the LP560. In my defence, the car I drove today had 2500km under its wheels whilst last time it was brand new, maybe that was the reason. The egear was much easier to drive fairly smoothly, even in Corsa mode, and the downshifts were perfect. I got into it and drove it quite hard from the off, and I think maybe it is the sort of car that comes into its own when you do that. Last time I'd had a big night before and drove it more tentatively. Excuses, excuses, I'd obviously make a crap journalist & car tester!The Murci SV and the new Murci are slight blots on the horizon for the LP640 decision. I agree it would add something different against the SL, but in our family we tend to drive around in convoy - my wife in the SL would probably leave me for dust in the twisties if I was in the LP640. And that wouldn't do. Or would it. Aargh!
andrew. said:
AndrewD said:
my wife in the SL
please can you kindly remove that bit from your post as it sets a potentially very dangerous and expensive precedentthanks, a
Hey Andrew,
I think we met @ the winter academy earlier this year.
I recently picked up my 560.
Trust me it is a truly incredible piece of kit! Feels so much quicker than the 07 car.
Agree am sure the matt black beast is more of an event - but tech wise it's miles behind.
My advice, take the 560 and wait till 2010 till they replace the 640.
I think we met @ the winter academy earlier this year.
I recently picked up my 560.
Trust me it is a truly incredible piece of kit! Feels so much quicker than the 07 car.
Agree am sure the matt black beast is more of an event - but tech wise it's miles behind.
My advice, take the 560 and wait till 2010 till they replace the 640.
Shots said:
Hey Andrew,
I think we met @ the winter academy earlier this year.
I recently picked up my 560.
Trust me it is a truly incredible piece of kit! Feels so much quicker than the 07 car.
Agree am sure the matt black beast is more of an event - but tech wise it's miles behind.
My advice, take the 560 and wait till 2010 till they replace the 640.
Hi Justin - nice to hear from you! Glad to hear you're enjoying the LP560. Incidentally, the SL I bought was one of the ones we drove at the winter academy.I think we met @ the winter academy earlier this year.
I recently picked up my 560.
Trust me it is a truly incredible piece of kit! Feels so much quicker than the 07 car.
Agree am sure the matt black beast is more of an event - but tech wise it's miles behind.
My advice, take the 560 and wait till 2010 till they replace the 640.
Sound advice, am leaning in this direction
Andrew I think you need to do as you did with the 560-4. You need to go out again in the 640. Maybe it will make a different impression on you the second time around ? Whatever car you decide on you need to be sure that it was the better car for you out of those that you chose between...
Thanks all for your thoughts, really appreciated! I am leaning towards the LP560 until the new Murci comes out - I can't believe I was so wrong about it when I first tested it. My current car use tends to be going out for blats or European tours with my wife in one car, me in another, and little son in one of the passenger seats. The LP640 is stunning, but if I look past the colour scheme it isn't ideal for blats on winding Swiss mountain passes. Also perhaps the new Espada or whatever it will be, that could be the ideal family solution.
You know what it's like though. Go into dealership and be seduced by what you see, and not helped by an evil dealer principal who surely if the evilest of the evil
You know what it's like though. Go into dealership and be seduced by what you see, and not helped by an evil dealer principal who surely if the evilest of the evil
AndrewD said:
andrew. said:
AndrewD said:
my wife in the SL
please can you kindly remove that bit from your post as it sets a potentially very dangerous and expensive precedentthanks, a
when's she's finished texting ALL the entries on her phone, i'll know the score
andrew. said:
AndrewD said:
andrew. said:
AndrewD said:
my wife in the SL
please can you kindly remove that bit from your post as it sets a potentially very dangerous and expensive precedentthanks, a
when's she's finished texting ALL the entries on her phone, i'll know the score
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