Filed under: Supercars, Lamborghini

First there were pictures of a Murcielago with black doors and a giant wing doing laps at the ‘Ring. It was immediately called out as the next evolution of the LP640, a superleggera sibling for the the Gallardo. Then Lamborghini said no, it wasn’t — it was just a mule with unpainted doors. Lamborghini President Stephan Winklemann even dismissed the idea, saying “The LP640 is wild enough.” Whether or not he believed what he was saying, the new reality is this: there is no such thing as wild enough. And according to Car magazine, that wilder LP640 will probably be called “Superveloce” — the sorely missed SV moniker not heard in these parts in far too long.

The SV will lose 100 kg, the same amount shed by the lightweight Gallardo, ending up with 409 bhp per ton. It will also get shorter gearing that keeps it near the 8,000 rpm mark when driven in anger. Even though it will remain an all-wheel-driver, the 0-60 time should drop to 3.0 seconds. Car also says that that walk-the-plank rear wing is supposedly provided by Boeing.

The SV is expected to hit the runway at Frankfurt this September. Oh, and it could be joined by a Gallardo SV, an even harder baby-Lambo meant to take the fight to the F430 Stradale. The good news from Sant’ Agata just keeps on coming.

[Source: Car magazine]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Supercars, Lamborghini

Our mates across the pond at PistonHeads say they’ve got it on good authority that Lamborghini is indeed producing a Superleggera version of the too-hot-to-handle Murcielago.

Eyebrows were raised when spy photogs snapped a Murcielago test mule running test laps around the Nurburgring’s venerable Nordschleiff in Germany, sporting a big ol’ wing on the back and what looks like carbon fiber body panels. If the reports are correct - and we hope they are - the Murcielago Superleggera will get the same treatment as its little brother, the Gallardo Superleggera, which was unveiled at the Geneva show. That means carbon fiber and composite components will help bring the weight down, while some tweaks to the engine will bring power up, resulting in a delicious increase to the supercar’s power-to-weight ratio. It’s too early to tell how much extra juice the stripped-down Lambo will get, but it should be a daunting task considering that the engine’s output was already augmented for the LP640. Could we be seeing a 700 horsepower figure?

The report suggests an official unveiling of the Murcielago Superleggera in March 2008, but with Lamborghini’s pledge to have a new attraction at every major auto show, we wouldn’t be surprised - delighted, mind you, but not surprised - to see it take its first bow earlier than that.

[Source: PistonHeads]

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Filed under: Tuner Tuesdays, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Lamborghini

Click image for photo gallery

Hamann, the German tuning firm known for turning out everything from amped-up MINIs to flamboyant, Batmobile-ish Ferraris, has presented its latest upgrade subject: the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640. The Murcielago is a car that is amply menacing as is — or so we thought. You see, Hamann decided that there was still room to make it look more evil, and success was achieved.

A full set of aero upgrades is now available. This includes a new front spoiler, rear wing, side sills, a roof-mounted intake, and new covers for both the lower and shoulder-mounted air intakes. The aero bits are available in both carbon fiber and fiberglass. Adding to the car’s more pronounced visuals are a Hamann sport exhaust that features dual 120mm (4.72″) tips poking out of the Murcielago’s center exit. The effect borders on the cartoonish (see the attached gallery), but it’s all business, as the new exhaust barks out a note with even more ferocity than the stock car’s. Hamann’s own “Edition Race” wheels finish things off nicely, and inside, the customization options are almost limitless. Hamann’s trademark Lambo doors are not needed here. The Murcielago comes with the real thing, of course.

Full details are available in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Hamann]
%Gallery-2886%
PRESS RELEASE:
Stealth-Bomber for the race track:
HAMANN Lamborghini Murciélago LP640

o. Aerodynamic-components provide impressions of racing motor sports
o. double-pipe stainless steel rear silencer
o. Wheels „Edition Race” in 20 inch
o. Carbon-look interior set
o. Complete interior kits to customer preferences on individual basis

It looks like a Stealth-Bomber on four wheels. It is one of the most masculine looking sports car and it is fast. The Lamborghini LP640 through its appearance gives a clear impression it’s not just for show. HAMANN decisively set its goal to send a clear message and sharpened the Italian steer’s horns. HAMANNs modifications through look, driving dynamics and sound create a distinct difference.

Maintenance of road contact is most essential when one is pushing a super sports car to the limit. To achieve greater downforce on the front and rear axle HAMANN offers a front spoiler as well as a rear wing. Whoever prefers to show their affiliation to motor sports can order the parts in Carbon-Kevlar instead of the fiberglass version. Where’s the starting grid?

HAMANN applies further aerodynamic components in form of a two-part rear diffuser with additional air hoses for the extendable side air intakes, side sills as well as a two-part front wing and Carbon-pendants for the original side intakes in the sills in front of the rear wheels. Furthermore, a central running air box on the roof brings back memories of past Lamborghini Diablo GT-R days. Naturally, these parts are also available in Carbon-Kevlar or fiberglass.

Impressive sound and stunning rims

The HAMANN double-pipe stainless sports rear silencer (2×120mm end pipes) emits a sound similar to that generated from race tracks announcing the arrival of the blood-curdling steer. Positive side effect; an even sportier rear look. Export customers can extend their exhaust system with a HAMANN sport metallic catalytic converter.

Also for individualization of vehicles within this high performance calibre, a choice of new wheel design is inherent. HAMANN suggests its own creation „Edition Race”. This multi-pieced, forged light alloy metal wheel with black wheel spider, “Y” spoke design, Titan bolts and high polished rim flange utilized for Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 comes in the combination 8,5Jx20″ front and 13,0Jx20″ rear. As expected, HAMANN also offers here a complete wheel set with typical tires sizes 235/30 ZR 20 (FA) und 325/25 ZR20 (RA).

HAMANN prepares the cockpit of the Super-Lambo providing even more sports racing atmosphere. For this, the tuners from Laupheim, Germany offer an 8-part carbon-look interior set. The race car look is established through instrument cockpit bordure, the air bleed jet, the gear shifting panel as well as the cigarette ashtray console. Naturally, HAMANN offers each Lamborghini customer preferred alterations on an individual basis. For instance, extravagant leather furnishing in a variety of colours is possible or additional of multi-media articles.

Further information to the complete HAMANN tuning program can be found on the website www.HAMANN-MOTORSPORT.de .

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Filed under: Auction Action, Supercars, Lamborghini

If you’ve seen any of the Bullrun episodes that have aired on Spike TV (Tuesday nights at 10), or even the promotional ads, you might recognize today’s eBay find. Although the series has just gotten underway, we can already surmise that the Team #10 Lamborghini Murcielago piloted by owner Jeff Marshall and co-pilot John Eltringham survived relatively intact. And for the right bid, it could be yours.

There are still nice weeks worth of episodes left, so no hints about who walks away with the grand prize are revealed in the listing. We already know that the car had been exhibiting clutch problems in the first two segments, so it’s nice to see that Jeff has replaced the $10,000 clutch already. The Murci has a fresh set of rubber too, but needs a couple of other fixes. With some noticeable nose damage that will most likely require a replacement, the team had the other Bullrunners sign the future wallhanging. A new windshield and some paint are also mentioned as things the buyer will need to have fixed.

The car itself is #15 of the batch of fifty 40th Anniversary Murcielagos made in 2003/4. Upgrades include an Al Burtoni exhaust, re-mapped computer, K&N airfilters, new plugs, and new front wheel nuts. The seller adds that others have confirmed this is one of the strongest Murcis around, but he won’t be needing this Bull on his Washington ranch. His Cayenne Turbo S will work better in that environment and make it a little easier to settle arguments amongst his three children over who gets to ride along.

Thanks for the tip, TestShoot!

[Source: eBay]

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuner Tuesdays, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Lamborghini

Click image for high-res gallery

The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 is a rolling monument to automotive badassedness. It’s as if the Italians captured the mojos of Darth Vader, John Shaft, Jules from Pulp Fiction, Chow Yun Fat, Snake Plissken, Lawrence Taylor, Boba Fett and Dirty Harry Callahan and somehow turned them into a car.

Edo Competition found a way to make it better badder.

Think of it as adding a little Lee Van Cleef to the mixture, coaxing out an additional 23 horses for a grand total of 663. Zero to 60 mph runs should should take 3.4 seconds or less, and the Lambo tops out at 216 mph. The boost comes as a result of a reprogrammed ECU, high-flow air filters, performance cats, a new muffler with a stainless tip, and an exhaust butterfly valve that can be controlled remotely by the driver. The Murci’s menacing bodywork is left largely undisturbed, save for a new rear wing with an adjustable lip on its trailing edge. Perhaps the best modification is the simplest: a Calvin sticker, shown at right, that communicates how the car’s owner feels about the raging bull’s competition from Maranello. And you thought those things only came in Ford and Chevy versions…

[Source: Edo Competition]

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Filed under: Etc., Videos, Lamborghini

When I was a kid, I used to sit in front of the computer and draw up concept cars on Microsoft Paint. It was, and still is, a very primitive application, but it was simple enough for me to use back in grade school. I even designed the graphics for a local ISP’s website on MS Paint, but that was the extent of it.

Here’s someone, meanwhile, with the know-how and the skills who decided to render a Lamborghini Murcielago, with considerable detail and skill, all on Microsoft Paint. What’s more is that he captured the entire process on video and uploaded it to YouTube, from blank page to finished product. Someone with too much time on his hands? Probably, but his video has been making the rounds. And remember, if the time-lapse nine-minute video has you bored halfway through, think of how long it must have taken him in real time.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Continue reading Time Rendered Useless: drawing a Lambo on MS Paint

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Filed under: Coupes, Auction Action, Etc., Supercars, Lamborghini

August on eBay is the season of celebrity car flogging, with Sean Connery’s 635 CSI and a BMW 320is owned by a post-Risky Business Tom Cruise going now. 50 Cent, perhaps making space at one of the mansions for the season’s new rides, has thrown his chrome Lamborghini Murcielago into the mix. Inside is black leather with contrasting gray stitching, black carpet, and E-gear. Outside is the aforementioned reflective paint job, sitting on 20’s. The whole package has done 1,060 miles, having been in magazines, on TV shows, and a YouTube traffic stop video…

According to the seller, the car has was also the subject of a huge stereo upgrade, but all traces of it have been hidden or removed. If you don’t mind the shine factor — the car doesn’t scream for attention nearly as much as a yellow one would — it’s a remarkably decent looking package. And that makes us think something we never expected to be saying about Fifty: if it really is his car, we wish more rappers showed as much restraint with their rides.

[Source: eBay via A Grandiose Blog]

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Filed under: Etc., Lamborghini, Driving

Chances are that if your “to-do” list for a given day includes picking up your new Lamborghini Murcielago, things are going pretty well. After all, taking delivery of a new Lambo generally indicates one has some serious coin and that the good life is being lived. But the trappings of the good life can be fraught with danger, as the Murci can be merciless to its pilot if not treated with the proper amount of respect.

This seems to be the lesson learned by one Ronald Tridico of Florida. According to witnesses, Mr. Tridico was apparently speeding while navigating a curve on state Road 429 near Orlando when the Murcielago headed off the pavement into the grassy roadside area. Local6.com’s photo coverage seems to indicate that a speed limit sign got taken out during the impromptu off-roading excursion. Photos show a fair amount of damage to the lower bodywork, as those aero bits don’t take well to uneven and unpaved surfaces. Mr. Tridico was arrested and charged with suspicion of DUI and leaving an accident scene. His wife, who was in the passenger seat, reportedly suffered a minor arm injury, as well. And so a day that likely began with Mr. Tridico wearing a broad smile as he accepted the keys to his new toy ended with a less-enthused look on his face in the mugshot taken after the authorities caught up with him. Cue the music…

[Source: Local6.com]

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Filed under: Supercars, Lamborghini

It’s not as if Lamborghini has to make its products any more enticing, but the bull-badged fantasy folks are doing just that, making a few substantive changes to both the Gallardo and Murcielago LP640.

For the Gallardo, Lamborghini will be adding an onboard computer, iPod connectivity with USB, heated mirrors, along with Q-citura stitching that originally could only be found on the Nera model, as well as a beige soft-top on the Spyder.

The Murcie will also get the iPod connection and USB port, along with sat-nav, perforated leather steering wheel (accompanied by carbon weave) and the option of having the roof of the Roadster painted either dark blue, grey or black.

Get your orders in now, as Lamborghini has also extended its warranty coverage for three-years with unlimited miles.

[Source: Lamborghini]

Continue reading Lamborghini releases 2008 model year changes

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Filed under: Coupes, Supercars, Lamborghini, Misc. Auto Shows

This is by no means substantiated in any way other than a forum post, but a member of the FerrariChat forum is reporting that Lamborghini will privately unveil a new supercar based on the LP640 Murcielago (shown) and costing $1.5 million to a select group at the Pebble Beach Concours this week. The rumor goes that 20 will be made, with 15 earmarked for the U.S., and that the new supercar’s official unveiling will occur at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. We have people on the ground at the Pebble Beach Concours this week with cameras ready in case a tent flap gets blown up by the wind, and we’ll of course be in Frankfurt next month, as well. Just how powerful and fast this new Lambo will be, and whether the rumor is even true, is still unknown.

Thanks for the tip, Fred!

[Source: FerrariChat]

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