Lamborghini is preparing the Murcélago successor for 2010

The Lamborghini Murciélago has been introduced back in September 2001 as the 6.2 model, in March 2004 the amazing Roadster derivative saw the light during the Geneva Auto Show, only two years later the same Geneva show saw the unveiling of the impressive LP640 model, a masterpiece with 640 Bhp. People didn't have to wait too long to have the open top version of this new flagship, in December 2006 the LP640 Roadster became available. These days the Murciélago is still selling steadily as the only V12 available from Automobili Lamborghini SpA, but they are already thinking about a successor naturally.

Naturally no details are officially available, and judging by how well Automobili Lamborghini SpA kept both the Reventón and the Estoque a secret until days before the public unveiling, I doubt very much we'll be seeing anything 'in writing' about this flagship replacement. Naturally the rumors have been going around the internet for a while now, and one thing they all have in common is the name : the new crown jewel from Sant'Agata could be called 'JOTA', a name used in the past on the one of a kind Miura race car built by Bob Wallace and again on the special edition of the Diablo SE 30 model, when a Jota kit was available to pump even more power out of the V12 engine.

Other than that is is obvious the new Lamborghini will feature a Carbon Fiber tub instead of the current steel space frame, however the front and rear subframes will probably still be using steel on the new car, the Jota (if that will be it's name) will also be larger and used considerably bigger tires, today the Murciélago still rides on 18-inch ones, but looking at the rare spy photo's it is obvious the wheels are bigger on this test car.

As always we'll have to be patient to see what Sant'Agata has in store for us, but voices 'in the know' talk about an unveiling as early as the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, with the successful Roadster evolution available later the same year ... could be Paris, can't wait to see this.

If you don't have the patience to wait another two years, you could get lucky in a few months already, the long awaited SuperVeloce edition of the Murciélago LP640 is still being considered, and the latest 'intell' mentions that it could very well be among us in early 2009, probably at the Geneva Auto Show ... Automobili Lamborghini SpA has vouched it would be showing one new model every year so hopes are high for 2009, the Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder is still eagerly awaited, but other specials based on the V10 model could be shown too, however a Superleggera version is very unlikely.

It is obvious the Raging Bull rules again !

SOURCE: lambocars

2006 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

With the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, the designers at the Lamborghini Style Centre maintained 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 engine of the new Murcielago LP640 has undergone outstanding and radical modification. The classic V-engine is boosted to 6.5 litres. The already extraordinary 580 hp engine power has now been elevated to an impressive peak of 640 hp at 8,000 rpm.

The increase in power correlates with an increase in performance. The maximum speed is now 340 km/h (before 330 km/h). The excellent performance of the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 means it can now accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds (0.4 seconds faster than the previous model).

Just like its predecessors, the Murciélago LP640 features permanent four-wheel drive, based on the reliable Lamborghini VT (Viscous Traction) system. The system is self-governing and does not feature any electronic controls.

Because of the "Privilegio" customisation program, any Murciélago LP640 can be transformed into a customised sports car. For example, the cockpit can be enhanced with an extremely refined carbon finish applied to the air conditioning control panel, the control lever console and the parking brake.

credits : 2sportscars

2002 Lamborghini Murcielago

General Info
Price: $273,000
Miles Per Gallon: 9/13 mpg
Curb Weight: 3638 lbs
Layout: Mid-Engine/AWD
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual

Engine
Type: V12
Displacement: 6192 cc
Horsepower: 580 bhp @ 7500 rpm
Torque: 480 lb-ft @ 5400 rpm
Redline: 7500 rpm

Performance
0-60 mph: 3.6 sec
0-100 mph: 8.7 sec
Quarter Mile: 12 sec @ 121 mph
Skidpad: .90g
Top Speed: 205 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph: 122 ft
Slalom Speed: 65.7 mph

credits : 2sportscars