Lamborghini Murcielago
Manufacturer:	Lamborghini
Production:	2002–
Predecessor:	Lamborghini Diablo
Class:	Supercar
Body style:	2-door 2-seat coupe
Platform:	Mid engine AWD
Engine:	6.2 L V12 (426 kW) 6.5 L V12 (471 kW / 640 PS @ 8,000 rpm)
Transmission:	6-speed manual 6-speed E-gear
Similar:	Enzo Ferrari Pagani Zonda Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

The Lamborghini Murcielago is a GT and supercar automobile made by Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. and designed by Luc Donckerwolke. It was introduced in 2002 as the successor to the Diablo. The body style is a two door, two seat coupé.

An open-top version called the Murcielago roadster was introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year. The roadster features similar performance to the coupe with a more aggressive rear flank, as well as a considerably higher price tag.

The Murcielago sports a 6.2 L version of the legendary Lamborghini V12 engine, a six speed manual or six speed e-gear sequential gearbox and All Wheel Drive. It also has a rear spoiler that can be raised to an angle of 70 degrees, the side mirrors fold in to increase aerodynamics and side scoops that automatically open to the needed size to let in just the right amount of air needed to cool its engine. The name Murcielago comes from a bull that survived 24 sword strokes in an 1879 fight at the arena of Cordoba, and fought with such passion and spirit that the matador chose to spare its life, a rare honor. In another Lamborghini tie-in, the bull was later presented as a gift to Don Antonio Miura, a noted breeder, and went on to sire a line of famous fighting bulls. Murcielago also means bat in Spanish, and a Murcielago roadster is featured briefly in the movie Batman Begins. The coupe's base price is US$ 273,000, which is US$90,000 more than its smaller sibling, the Lamborghini Gallardo .

Lamborghini have announced two more powerful models, the XTR, a track-only car with a 700 bhp version of the V12, and the LP640 with 640 bhp. Although the XTR is not street legal the LP640 met the standards and is expected to be introduced in March of 2007. (link), going on sale spring this year.

LP640

Murcielago LP640 on display

The LP640 version was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 2006, as a facelift (product) for the coupe version. It features a 6.5 L engine, now producing 640 bhp, improving performance substantially. There were also a few minor external changes, primarily to the low air intakes.

The front and rear bumpers have been reshaped to channel air more efficiently and the new exhaust has been shaped into the rear diffuser to minimize aerodynamic lift. The air intake on the left side has been enlarged to accommodate the feeding of the oil cooler. The car's body is made up of steel and carbon fiber, while underneath a revised suspension has been added to keep up with the car's exceptional performance. It also has a four-wheel-drive system that normally distributes 70% of the torque to the back, but can allocate up to 100% to either end depending on where the grip is running out. There are also new 18-inch Hermera alloy wheels running huge 335/30 tires at the rear. One thing that hasn't changed with the LP640 is the Murcielago's signature scissor-opening doors.

Inside the LP640, the seating has been reshaped to accommodate greater headroom, while an upgraded instrument panel is flanked by an improved stereo system.

The LP640's optional equipment includes ceramic brakes for swifter braking and a glass engine cover which shows off the LP640's 6.5-liter V12 engine.

Engine

LP stands for "Longitudinale Posteriore", referring to the lengthways mounted, 6.5-liter V12 engine, capable of producing up to 640 bhp at 8,000 rpms. Along with a new six-speed gearbox, which can come in Lamborghini's optional paddle shift "E-gear" package, the LP640 can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds: 0.4 seconds quicker than the normal Murcielago. The LP640 is accommodated by an electronic launch-control device called "Thrust".

The LP640 was released on March 1, 2006, and has a set price tag of $350,000

Specifications

Trivia

The Murcielago features the familiar Lamborghini scissor doors

• Drivers of the convertible model are advised to stay below 100mph when the roof is in place. Future models will be getting a carbon fiber roof that is expected to allow them to exceed that limit. The optional Interior Carbon Package offer in the newer models include interior car components made from carbon fiber. These components include covers for the driver side display, dashboard covers (both for the left and right hand side), covers for the air conditioning and radio, handles on the sides of the central tunnel, gear lever, frames around the armrest and the ashtray.

• The engineers at Lamborghini have included carbon-ceramic brakes in the design of the Murcielago. These carbon-ceramic discs differentiate the Murcielago from other models. Advantages of these discs include improved handling, agility and efficiency. and shorter braking distances with reduced pedal effort. Therefore braking efficiency remains constant at both low and high temperature, with no fading, even after hard use. This leads to longer lifetime use of the car and a state of the art system.

Lamborghini Murcielago coupe

• While the Murcielago is no doubt an impressive machine, it was nearly outperformed on Top Gear's test track when piloted by a British Touring Car Championship driver. He was unable to pull away from a Mitsubishi Evo VIII FQ-400, a 4-door saloon with a 2.0L I4 Turbo engine, being driven by Jeremy Clarkson. In the hands of "The Stig", however, the Murcielago was 1.1 seconds faster around the track than the Mitsubishi

• The Lamborghini Gallardo and Murcielago are both featured in Rockstar Games' Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition. The Murcielago will also appear as the Autobot Jazz in the Transformers movie

• Vanessa Bryant is the only person in the world to own an automatic Murcielago. The car was given to her as a gift by her husband, but upon realizing she could not drive a manual transmission, Kobe Bryant had the car converted to an automatic. The estimated cost of the car after conversion and customization was $400,000