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Automobili Lamborghini Presents The New
Murciélago LP640 At The Geneva Motor Show
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Unmistakable design
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More powerful engine
The
new Lamborghini Murciélago LP640
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Geneva/Sant'Agata
Bolognese - Automobili Lamborghini appears at the Geneva
Motor Show following a highly successful 2005. Last year
the "Casa del Toro" sold 1,600 automobiles worldwide: 1,071
Gallardo and 529 Murciélago cars (including 250 Roadsters),
with a turnover of 243 million euros and realising a profit
for the second consecutive year. 2006 will also be an important
year for the Sant' Agata Bolognese company.
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The Geneva Motor Show
has been selected by Automobili Lamborghini for the debut of another
important product development: the new, more powerful Murciélago
LP640 that will go on sale this spring. The new Murciélago is being
presented just a few months after the launch of the Gallardo Spyder,
which accompanies the other open-top model in the Lamborghini range,
the Murciélago Roadster. First deliveries of the Gallardo Spyder
are imminent, with the response to this sports car so immediate
that all 800 units to be produced have already been ordered by the
86 Lamborghini dealerships worldwide.
Gallardo
Spyder
In Lamborghini tradition,
the Gallardo Spyder is equipped with permanent four-wheel drive
and has a powerful 5.0-litre V10 engine (EURO 4) with 520 horsepower
at 8,000 rpm (the same as the Gallardo Coupé MY 06). The Gallardo
Spyder reaches a maximum speed of 314 km/h and goes from 0 to 100
km/h in 4.3 seconds.
The new Lamborghini
Murciélago LP640
Automobili Lamborghini
will present the passionately developed evolution of the Lamborghini
Murciélago Coupé at the 76th International Car Show in Geneva. The
new version of this highly successful super-sports car features
considerable innovations in terms of body design and mechanics.
And also with a new name: Murciélago LP640, which refers to its
engine position - longitudinale posteriore - and to its power 640
hp. Designers and engineers have not only focused on reworking the
engine, suspensions, gearbox, exhaust system, brakes and electronics,
but also the interior and exterior design; improvements that make
the Murciélago LP 640 the most extreme and fastest sports car in
its class, placing it at the very top. The first vehicles will be
available in spring 2006. Since the original Murciélago's debut
at the 2001 International Car Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, around 2,000
vehicles have left the car plant in Sant'Agata Bolognese.
Unmistakable Design
In their reinterpretation
of the Murciélago LP640, the designers at the Lamborghini Style
Centre have remained true to the traditional Lamborghini principles
of purism, sport and function. The Murciélago LP640 now appears
even more aggressive, with the new front and rear bumpers contributing
significantly to its appearance. The exhaust system terminal has
been incorporated in the diffuser on the rear bumper. Other innovations
include the rear lights, which enhance the distinguishing features
of the Murciélago LP640, making it unmistakable even at night. The
design of the sides is also worth mentioning: while the area behind
the air intake on the right side is practically closed, the left
side features a vast aperture for cooling the oil radiator. Together
with the aerodynamically defined front and rear, this proves yet
again that the shape of a Lamborghini is dictated by function.
For those wishing to
flaunt the heart of their Murciélago LP640, on request an engine
hood made of transparent glass can be supplied. The rear view mirrors
and the windscreen wipers have been modified to improve aerodynamics
and "Hermera" light metal wheel rims have been added. The graphics
of the instrument panel lights in the cockpit have been revamped.
The interior upholstery also has a new look thanks to the lozenge-shaped
stitching.
More powerful engine
The engine of the new
Murciélago LP640 has undergone outstanding and radical modification.
The increased bore and longer stroke have boosted the displacement
of the classic 60° V-engine from 6.2 litres to 6.5 litres (6,496
cm3). Thus the already extraordinary 580 hp engine power has now
been elevated to an impressive peak of 640 hp (471 kW) at 8,000
min-1. The 12-cylinder engine reaches a maximum torque of 660 Nm
at 6,000 min-1. Naturally, the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 complies
with every European and North American law governing exhaust fumes.
This "evolutionary
leap forward" has been possible thanks to a coherent review of every
engine component: the cylinder head and the entire intake system
(based on the tried and tested Lamborghini variable geometry system),
have been completely reworked. The crankshaft, camshafts and exhaust
system have also undergone innovation. The increase in power naturally
determines an increase in performance. The maximum speed is now
340 km/h (before 330 km/h). The excellent performance of the Murciélago
LP640 means it can now accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds
(0.4 seconds faster than the previous model). 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.
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