The LP640 version was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006, as a facelift for the coupé version. It features a 6.5 L engine, now producing 640 bhp, improving performance substantially. Like the base Murciélago, the engine is mounted "backwards", with the transmission at the very back of the car. There were also a few minor external changes, primarily to the low air intakes. The LP640 has a set price tag of US$350,000.
Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 on display
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 an all-wheel-drive system that normally distributes 70% of the torque to the rear wheels, 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. The LP640 retains the original car's 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 L V12 engine.
A special edition version of the Murciélago LP640 was introduced at the Paris Motor Show. The Versace edition features a customized all-white exterior and a matching white interior.
Lamborghini V12 engine, with the Murciélago roadster in the background
Lamborghini announced the LP640 Roadster version at the 2006.
Engine
LP stands for Longitudinale Posteriore, referring to the longitudinally-mounted, 6.5 L V12 engine, capable of producing up to 640 bhp at 8000 rpm. Along with a new six-speed manual transmission, 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 Murciélago. The LP640 is accommodated by an electronic launch-control device called "Thrust".
News
The Lamborghini supercar is named after Murciélago, a legendary fighting bull from Spain. Mr. Lamborghini loved Spanish bullfighting, thus the raging bull logo on Lamborghini automobiles (he was also a Taurus, and the bull logo was used to represent his birthsign). The name Murciélago also means bat in Spanish, and is therefore pronounced in Spanish style.
The engineers at Lamborghini included carbon-ceramic brakes in the design of the Murciélago. These carbon-ceramic discs differentiate the Murciélago from other models. Advantages of these discs include improved handling, agility, efficiency and shorter braking distances with reduced pedal effort. Therefore braking efficiency remains constant at both low and high temperature, with no fading, even hard use. This leads to longer lifetime use of the car and a state of the art system.
Vanessa Bryant is the only person in the world to own an automatic Murciélago. 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 US$400,000.
