Lamborghini is presenting the new version of the Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster benefits from the same extensive modifications to the bodywork and mechanics as the LP640 Coupe, as well as delivering its own distinct character.

Even More Aggressive Design

In their re-interpretation of the Roadster, the designers of the Lamborghini Centro Stile have remained true to the original style principles of purism, sportiness and functionality. As with the Coupe it has now assumed a more aggressive appearance, a substantial influence being the new front and rear bumpers. On the latter there is a new rear diffuser, in which the exhaust system is integrated within a tailpipe. The rear lights are also new, increasing the distinguishing features and making the Murcielago Roadster as unmistakable at night as in daylight. The asymmetrical design of the sides is particularly striking. Whilst the area behind the air inlet on the right is almost closed, on the left there is a large opening for the ventilation of the oil cooler. This, in addition to the aerodynamic form of the front and rear, is an illustration of how functionality dictates the shape of a Lamborghini.

Changes to the rear-view mirror make the Murcielago Roadster more aerodynamic, with other features including new windscreen wipers and the option of new Hermera alloy wheels.

From its forerunner, the Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster LP640 has inherited the characteristic asymmetrical interior arrangement. The whole interior is tailored to the driver and arranged in such a way that a true driver-focused experience is offered; a car which challenges yet at the same time is entirely geared to the driver. This is illustrated in the use of perforated leather for the chair cushions, the dashboard tunnel console and the door lining on the driver’s side.

The instrument panel has also been redesigned with different display graphics. This includes a new Kenwood car radio with a 6.5 inch widescreen monitor and reader for DVD, MP3 and WMA. The navigation system (standard equipment in Japan) is also available as an option.

More Powerful Engine

As with the Coupe the new 6.5-liter (6.496 cm3) 60° V-engine and 640 bhp at 8,000 rpm is now used also in the Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster. At 6,000 rpm the 12-cylinder engine reaches the maximum torque of 487 lb-ft.

The increased power naturally leads to increased road performance. The maximum speed now lies at 205 mph. The standard sprint from 0 to 62 mph is now reached by the Murcielago LP640 Roadster in an excellent 3.4 seconds making it 0.4 seconds faster than its forerunner.

Higher performance and torque naturally mean increased demand on the drive components. A six-gear transmission adapted to these requirements, plus a stronger rear differential and new half-axles, have therefore been deployed in the new Murcielago Roadster. An e-gear transmission with a newly tuned thrust mode (acceleration program) is also available as an option.

Like its forerunner, the new Murcielago Roadster LP640 has permanent four-wheel drive.

Frame and Chassis

Although the Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster LP640 is principally based on the Murcielago Coupe, it has further distinguishing features beyond its distinctive appearance. First and foremost, newly designed frame structure parts made of steel and carbon-fiber guarantee an unswerving torsion resistance even without a roof. A special reinforcement structure in the engine area makes a major contribution to this aspect. This optically distinctive reinforcement can also be delivered in carbon fibre on request. Without impairing the extreme character of a typical roadster, a canvas roof (R.top) can be fitted which, true to the design tradition of this type of vehicle, is principally conceived for temporary use (for example in a sudden shower of rain) and for speeds of up to 100 mph.

With its characteristic wing doors, the bodywork of the Murcielago LP640 Roadster is still made from an extremely high quality combined structure of sheet steel and carbon honeycomb.

The road performance, handling and stability at high speeds benefit from the use of new springs and stabilizers as well as the revising of the electronically controlled silencers. The anti-dive and anti-squat properties of the axles which effectively prevent brake diving and squatting, remain unchanged. The springs (two for each rear wheel and one for each front wheel) and silencers are coaxially aligned.

The new aluminum Hermera rims measure 8 1” x 18” at the front and 13” x 18” at the rear. The vehicle is equipped with mixed tires of the type Pirelli P Zero “ROSSO”: the Murcielago LP640 Roadster is driven at the front on tires with the dimensions 245/35 ZR18 and 335/30 ZR18 at the rear. Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires are available as an option: particularly appropriate for use on race tracks.

With the Gallardo Superleggera (superlight) just out on the market, Lamborghini is developing a Superleggera version of the Murcielago as well. Racing its quick laps at the Nürburgring, the lovely sound of the V12 can be heard all over the village of Nürburg.

The weight reduction comes from swapping out a number of components with carbon fiber bits, like the door panels, engine cover, wing, mirrors and the central tunnel covering. Lamborghini is expecting to loose about 100-150 kg with this operation giving the Superleggera a weight of 1500-1550 kg instead of the 1665 kg of the LP640.

Whether the gigantic wing in the back will be an option like on the Gallardo, or whether it will be standard is uncertain. But with power likely to be reaching 700 bhp and with the lighter body it can be expected that the Superleggera will reach a top speed of 350 km/h in which case it could use as much help as possible to keep it on the track.

We hope to see the Murcielago Superleggera on the motor show in Frankfurt this September.

Lamborghini is hotly tipped to wow the Frankfurt motor show with a new supercar that will become its most expensive model ever.

Based on the range-topping LP640, the new model is rumoured to feature a radically different body, an overhauled engine and a new interior, and to be built in a limited run of just 20 cars.

Super-rich collectors on the US west coast are understood to have been shown the car recently as a sales exercise ahead of the Frankfurt show.

Together with the unique body panels, the new Lambo is also said to feature a new paint job and new interior trim.

With these significant structural changes, the special edition will be a step up from the recent LP640 Versace, which was limited to 20 cars with 19 delivered to customers and one reserved for the factory museum.

The Versace fetched a £55k premium over a ‘standard’ £225k LP640, but the new model is tipped to reach even further into the collector stratosphere with a price tag rumoured at a million Euros — that’s around £700k.

At that price, it would cost double a Mercedes SLR 722 McLaren, and be three times the price of a Rolls-Royce Phantom. It’ll have to be special, then; stay tuned for more info from Frankfurt show press day on September 11.

Spy Shots: Lamborghini working on RWD Murcielago SV?



Lamborghini has kept its promise to unveil a "new" model at every major auto show this year, and it's not stopping even though the show season has is pretty much wrapped up. Autocar has spied what's believed to be the Lamborghini Murcielago SV, a lightweight version of the Italian automaker's top model that will be sending its additional ponies to the rear wheels alone.

Based off the current range-topping LP640, the SV will putting out around 680 hp from its mid-mounted V12 and will tip the scales under 3,500 pounds. The weight savings will come from the abandonment of the front differential and drive shafts that would normally also power the front wheels, along with nixing the ICE stereo and the system that raises and lowers the rear spoiler. Naturally, plenty of carbon fiber is part of the equation, including the doors, smaller rear wing and other assorted parts.

There's no word on when the Murcielago SV will debut, but we've got a five-spot on the Paris Motor Show later this year.

[Source: Autocar]

Versace and Lamborghini, collaborators since 2006, proudly announce the launch of the new Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 Roadster VERSACE and a unique collection of accessories, both to be previewed for the first time at the Maison's Via Gesù 12, Milan on Monday June 23rd, 2008.

To create the new super roadster, the Maison Versace's designers joined forces with designers from the Lamborghini Design Centre (Centro Stile)and specialists working on the "ad personam" project. This Lamborghini program allows individual clients to create personalised sports cars, choosing the equipment specification, the colour of the exterior body and of the interior fittings.

The new limited edition Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 Roadster VERSACE, which will be produced to order, displays a pastel white livery and the Versace Greek key motif on the lower part of the door. Equipped for the very first time with a transparent engine hood that reveals the powerful V12 engine, this model has been reconfigured internally. The cradle seats are clad in black and white leather, while opulent full grain soft nappa leather – hand-embroidered with the Versace Greek fret motif - upholsters the instrument panel, the doors and the central console.

The rigorous design and minimal lines of the Murciélago engine hood inspired the Versace Collection LP 640 range of accessories, which will also be previewed for the first time globally. Exclusively crafted in black matte calf skin, models include: a trolley bag, suit carrier, sports bag, as well as a briefcase, suitcase, gloves, driving shoes, belt, wallet, key ring, beauty case, hat and a pair of jeans. These hand-made accessories boast traditional craftsmanship, stitching and edging à la française and a palladium-engraved tag displaying both the Versace and Lamborghini logos.

This prestigious accessory collection will be exclusively available at Versace Boutiques and selected Lamborghini showrooms beginning in November 2008.

Gianni Versace's CEO Giancarlo Di Risio emphasised: "This new supercar and the exclusive Collection LP640 represent a natural evolution of excellence for both Versace and Lamborghini through the creation of these unique, one-of-a-kind projects."

Stephan Winkelmann, president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., said: "Our collaboration with Versace turned out to be an excellent experience and is an example of how we are pursuing our strategy of developing luxury products outside of luxury sports cars. We are proud to be in this prestigious, Made in Italy partnership with Versace, which adds to our other recent successes."

The supercar wars are alive and going strong. Today spy snappers caught the first test mule of the new Lamborghini supercar set to replace the Murcielago. With Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin, Pagani and Mercedes AMG all working on new supercars, there is no reason for Lamborghini to get left behind.

Although this Murcielago body shell could just be a power train mule, there is evidence that the new body will have a wider track as seen in the slightly flared out fenders. We can also see most clearly the RoaDyn wheel force measurement apparatus attached to the wheels.

Consistent with the recent Lamborghini Estoque Concept, it is speculated Lamborghini will once again reach back into their rich history and resurrect the Jota name, a one-off Miura from 1970.

If rumours play true, this new Lambo will switch to an aluminum space frame instead of the current steel tube frame with carbon fiber extensions.

Body design will take some influence from the Reventon and most body parts will be made of carbon fiber. Roof and doors will probably be made from aluminum.

Engine could be a revised 6.5-liter V12 with direct injection delivering upwards of 700 horsepower to all four wheels.