Lamborghini Murcielago

The Lamborghini Murciélago is a 2-seat, 2-door coupé (with the now familiar gull-wing doors) based on the traditional. Lamborghini layout: mid-mounted V12 engine, permanent four-wheel drive with central viscous coupler, typical Lamborghini transmission with the gearbox mounted in front of the engine and the rear differential integrated into the engine unit. This engine/transmission layout, successfully employed by Lamborghini for more than 30 years, affords an optimal weight distribution (42% front and 58% rear) with conspicuous advantages for traction, braking and handling. The Murciélago chassis has been stiffened considerably to achieve optimal torsional rigidity. The suspension design (independent double wishbones) represents the best possible solution for a high-performance GT and, again, is in keeping with Lamborghini tradition.

The styling of the new Lamborghini Murciélago wasn't designed by an Italian, but by Luc Donckerwolcke, a Belgian designer working for Audi AG, who was also responsible for the Audi A2 design. The Murciélago received a rather angular design, one could say it was a direct successor to the Countach, using similar angular lines at the front, although completely up to date. Some Diablo influence is also visible, while the engine cover reminds you of the legendary Miura, it is therefore safe to say, that even if it wasn't designed in Italy, the design team did use some of the most famous Lamborghini models from the past to take the new Lamborghini model one step ahead into the future.

October 5th, 1897. A fighting bull named Murciélago takes stage with matador Rafael Molina 'Largertijo' in front of an Spanish crowd. A viscous confrontation ensues. Murciélago takes over 24 spears and manages to continue fighting on. Astonishingly, the animal's life is spared and Murciélago is declared one of the the strongest bulls of all time. Murciélago went on to father a formidable line of bulls that extents right down to present day.
It's Murciélago's enduring ferocity that Lamborghini offers with the release of their latest supercar. Named after the fighting bull, this trapezoid-shaped car lends styling cues from the previous Lamborghini's, with better performance and drivability than ever before.

The highlight of the car is two rear wings which seamlessly pop up for engine cooling. Not only does this increase the aesthetic value of the car while at a standstill, it functions as a dynamic system for cooling efficiency. Lamborghini calls this system the Variable Air-Flow Cooling System. VACS uses active intakes with adjustable aperture up to 20 degrees that suit the driving conditions.
The VACS is complemented by a second dynamic aero device. The rear spoiler changes up to 70 degrees at 220kph to offer stability at high speeds. When the spoiler reaches the its open position, the aerodynamic drag increases from 0.33 Cd to 0.36 Cd, a worthwhile trade off to ensure an aerodynamic equilibrium at all speeds.

The Murciélago's engine which complies with the strictest emission standards in the world, including those of the United States, Japan and Europe is a 12-cylinder 60° V with a displacement of 6192 cc, made entirely from aluminum alloy and designed for unleaded fuel, producing 580 horsepower at 7500 rpm and 650 Nm torque at 5400 rpm. Torque delivery is optimized across the entire engine operating band (even at engine speeds relatively low for a sports car) thanks to the adoption of a variable-geometry intake system (VIS), variable valve timing (VVT) on both inlet and exhaust camshafts, and the "drive-by-wire" electronic throttle control, which makes for reduced emissions, improved idle speed control and improved driveability. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that at just 2000 rpm, the Murciélago produces more torque than maximum value attained by the majority of Granturismo cars in today's market.