Alex Unleashed on Cars- Lamborghini Murcielago (The Last Analogue Supercar)

 

When Audi took over Lamborghini, much like when BMW bought Rolls-Royce or when Ford bought Aston Martin. There were those who thought Lamborghini would lose all the character and passion that had made it the legendary marque that it is.

But to everyone’s surprise, as is often the way when small manufacturer’s get bought by big ones, things get much better than they did before. Whilst the last run Diablo’s did have Audi’s input, the Murcielago was the first made under Audi’s full control. One clear example is that the Murcielago wasn’t designed by Marcello Gandini but by a Belgian, Luc Donckerwolke who’d previously designed the Audi A2 & Audi R8 LMP car to name a couple.

The Murcielago sported an increased engine size, (6.2 litres over 6), which meant more power, 575 to be exact, which can power the 1650 KG supercar from 0-60 in 3.6 seconds and all the way to a colossal 205 MPH top speed. Everything about the Murcielago was extreme, though the price tag was “only” £163,000 nearly half the price of its closest rivals the Ferrari Enzo & Pagani Zonda C12 S. But even with all the ferocious power and its extreme girth, the Murcielago sported a more user-friendly driving experience such as a lighter gearbox, better air conditioning and nicer interior all curtesy of Audi parts and money, helping to civilize the Murcielago and make it a more profitable and usable car. In fact, EVO magazine had a long-term Murcielago that has covered over 250,000 miles since being acquired, showing it’s definitely an improvement over the old Diablo.

A small but important part of the cars design is the rear air intakes, they open up as the engine gets hotter and is the reason the Murcielago doesn’t need big air scoops which helps it keep a very elegant shape, and I think makes it one of the best-looking cars around. The intakes also open like bat wings which links to its name, which is bat in Spanish.

Over its lifespan, the Murcielago got a roadster version, the uprated LP640 and the limited run LP640-based Reventon.

But the best was most certainly left for last with the final Murcielago being the SV, a name not used since the Diablo back in ’97. The SV was the last hurrah for both the Murcielago and its engine which was replaced by an all new version for the Aventador. The SV was strikingly different to the LP640, sporting an enormous rear spoiler, uprated bodywork, SV on the side and bright orange paint, it was most certainly a striking car. The old V12 now made 661 BHP (670 PS hence the name LP670-4 SV) making it the most powerful non turbo/supercharged engine in the world, and despite still being a heavyweight, the SV could rocket to 60 in 3 seconds and well over 210 MPH flat out, firmly establishing it in the hypercar club, albeit a tad late since all its rivals were now long gone.

The Murcielago, much like it’s rival the Pagani Zonda was the last of a generation of supercars that still had some of that simple pure-built speed demon traits of the old generation of supercars (XJ220, Countach etc) but also incorporated better usability and reliability we associate with modern cars. Above all, the Murcielago represents the end of an era that afterwards was (rightfully) dominated by the need to make the car more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Which is what makes the Murcielago so special, it’s a tearful if outrageous goodbye to the days of carefree motoring.

Year Produced: 2002-2010

Engine 6.2 – 6.5 Litre V12

Top Speed: 205-212 MPH

Power: 580-661 BHP

Torque: 479-487 Ib/ft

0-60: 3.8- 3.0 Seconds

Weight: 1665 – 1565 KG

Price: £163,000 - £225,000

Rivals: Pagani Zonda, Porche Carrera GT, Ferrari Enzo, Ford GT, Mercedes McLaren SLR