Lambo updates Murcielago
LP640 features more power, tweaked interior
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Lamborghini is to unveil the LP640, a new, faster version of the Murciélago, at the Geneva motor show this week. LP640 refers both to its engine position -- longitudinale posteriore -- and its 640bhp power output.
Lamborghini has improved the engine, suspension, gearbox, exhaust system, brakes and electronics, as well as the interior and exterior, making the LP640 even more extreme. The first vehicles will be available from official UK dealerships, Lamborghini London and Lamborghini Manchester, later this year. Since the original Murciélago’s debut at Frankfurt Motor Show in 2001, around 2,000 vehicles have left the car plant in Sant’Agata Bolognese.
Design
The Murciélago LP640 looks even more aggressive, with new front and rear bumpers, new exhaust which has been incorporated into the diffuser and new rear lights.
The area behind the right-hand air intake on the right side is practically closed, while the left side features a big scoop for cooling the oil radiator.
One option is to fit an F430-style glass engine hood. The rear view mirrors and the windscreen wipers have been modified to improve aerodynamics and light metal rims have been added. The graphics of the instrument panel lights in the cockpit have been revamped. The interior upholstery also has a new stitching pattern.
More power
The engine has undergone radical modification, with increased bore and longer stroke boosting displacement of the 60-degree V12 from 6.2 to 6.5-litres. Power is naturally up, from 580bhp to 640bhp at 8,000 rpm, and torque reaches a chunky 487lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. Performance is up too, of course, with 62mph coming up in 3.4 seconds, 0.4 seconds faster than the previous model, with a top speed of over 200mph.
The added power has been extracted via a new cylinder head and intake system using Lamborghini's variable geometry system, along with a new crankshaft, camshafts and exhaust system.
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 included a considerably larger oil radiator and subsequently, the air intake on the left side of the vehicle has been enlarged. The liquid cooling system remains the same, with electronically controlled, moveable air scoops.
Gearbox and transmission
More power and higher torque demand a chunkier drivetrain so the LP640 gets a modified six-ratio gearbox, a tougher rear differential and new axle shafts. On request, the e-gear automatic gearbox is also available equipped with the new dedicated "Thrust" (acceleration programme) mode.
Just like its predecessors, the Murciélago LP640 features permanent four-wheel drive, based on the Lambo's mechanical VT (Viscous Traction) system which divides power between the front and rear axles 30:70. An independent control circuit adjusts the distribution of the drive force depending on dynamic oscillation, weight distribution and the relative friction factor in synchronisation with the Visco clutch. In extreme cases, up to 100 per cent of the drive force can be applied to either axle.
Interior
The new, more comfortable seats feature redesigned head restraints, and a new instrument panel features newly-designed lights flanked by a new Kenwood car radio with a 6.5-inch widescreen monitor and DVD, MP3 and WMA player. Satnav is -- surprisingly for a car in this bracket -- still optional. You can also customise the cockpit with, for instance, a carbon finish applied to the air conditioning control panel, the control lever console and the parking brake.
We don't have prices yet.
I personally think that the colour on this one looks really good, menacing yet relatively subtle!
I was lucky enough to go out in a Jota spec Diablo at the weekend and the power was absolutely immense. I stepped out of a new 2.5 Sti and straight into the Lamborghini and it was amazing the difference between a quick car (ie the Sti) and a Supercar (Diablo). The Diablo's acceleration was unrelenting with no let up and the noise, wow the noise!
If I had the money I would get this car in a dark metallic grey with everything else black pretty much like the pic.
In terms of cost I think I read it will be £15K more expensive than the standard model.
Lambo are currently going from strength to strength and their models of late are so desirable. If only they could reduce the cost of their cars. They could then dominate the supercar market.
Ferrari seem to have lost the plot with their new models and Porsche have always been ugly but popular to those who want reliabilty combined with a more affordable price.
Lambo, must secretly be delighted that they released this at the same time that Ferrari release details/photo's of the 599 GTB, which IMHO, design wise at least, is unresolved.
Anybody any idea when Lambo Manchester will get one? as I'm going to have to make a special trip to see this in the flesh.
>> Edited by anniesdad on Monday 27th February 15:55
nightmare said:
Wow, as good as Barbra Streisand, if not better!
megaStreisand, megaStreisand. Damn where's Robert Smith when you need him?
will be seeing this at Geneva.....if it drives as differently from the standard Murci as it looks then my long search will be finally over
Just out of interest, what don't you like about the current Murcie?
Granted the '02-'04 MY had crap brakes (especially on the track) but the 05's brakes are fantastic. The LP640 won't handle any better though,than the current Murcie, and will be a little faster of course, but its no lighter, in fact a little heavier.
It would have been nice to see a 'Stradale' like Murcie - both lighter and faster. Having said all that it looks fantastic..
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