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Lamborghini Murciélago 6.2, magnificent V12 power ...
When Audi took over, the Diablo replacement was nearly ready in Sant'Agata, the
Zagato designed model that Vittorio di Capua, the president of Automobili
Lamborghini SpA at that time, wanted to call 'Canto' was about to enter
production, but Ferdinand Pïech didn't like this design, it featured giant air
intakes at the rear and just wasn't what Dr Pïech expected from a Lamborghini,
so he decided to have the Diablo successor redesigned.
Dr. Pïech asked for a new proposition from the Audi design department, this one
would be compared with a reworked Zagato Canto, a design from I.D.E.A. and a
third prototype that was ordered from the Bertone design studio's. Zagato's new
design was again rejected, also the I.D.E.A. model wasn't what Dr Pïech had in
mind, so the Bertone design and the one from Audi would be used. At this moment,
time was running out on the Diablo replacement, so a restyling of the current
Diablo model was needed, before the focus could be directed to the new model.
The Audi designer Luc Donckerwolcke was asked to update the aging style of the
Diablo, so he created the refreshing 6.0 VT model, when we look at it, now that
the L147 is shown, it is clear this model was a preview of what Lamborghini was
about to present as a successor.
'A Lamborghini isn't just designed and presented to the public like a normal
car, it is born from below the earth, like a volcanic eruption, under thundering
lightning it will emerge from the dark ...'
The new Lamborghini, which was known only as the L147 project during
development, was first unveiled during an awesome show at the foot of the Etna
volcano on Sicily, a select group of about 200 people were flown to Sicily on
Friday to participate in the most impressive release of any Lamborghini model
ever.
On a closed down section of road on the Northern face of the Etna an entire
stage was built for a special, 45 minutes show that would present the L147 to
this small group of journalists, Lamborghini dealers, all-time owners, VIP's and
celebrities, Prince Albert from Monaco was actually invited, but unfortunately
couldn't make it.
At 10pm on Friday evening, the guests were driven to this area at a height of
1500m, it was very cold and windy, but still the stunning event would show the
new Lamborghini emerging from the earth. The show used the 'Seven Mortal Sins'
as a theme and featured music composed especially for the occasion, a series of
dancers symbolized these 'Sins' while a 4min30 introduction movie of the new
Murciélago was projected on a giant screen, special lightning and thundering
sound effects were combined with artificial lava streams and smoke effects.
This very nice movie was actually recorded in the Andes mountains and took a
total of eight days to complete and a massive budget, it can be downloaded from
various sites.
At the end of the show, a brand new, black metallic Lamborghini drove by the
audience at 90 Km/h while the giant screen showed the name, 'Murciélago', an
extreme name for an extreme car, the latest Lamborghini model, for the first
time under the mighty Audi wings.
Two other cars joined the festivities, another black one and a yellow one, the
cars would be shipped to Frankfurt on Saturday morning to be shown to the
general public.
At 9am on Saturday, this group of people flew back to Sant'Agata to take part of
the press conference held at the factory during the afternoon, while at 5pm a
large group of Lamborghini owners and fans were allowed into the factory which
had been closed to all visitors for months while it was being renovated and made
ready to take over the production of the Diablo successor.
Automobili Lamborghini SpA actually invited owners and enthusiasts from all over
the world to witness the unveiling of their new model during a
special event on September 8th at the factory, on Sunday morning the
car would be shown on the town square of Bologna to the public together with a
large selection of stunning Lamborghini's that were present, over 180 different
cars were at the factory that weekend, most of them joined the Murciélago in
Bologna.
It was possible to take a look on the factory floor and visit the brand new
official museum and restoration department before a special show was organized
to unveil the brand new, long awaited Lamborghini, Mr Guiseppo Grecco himself
announced the Murciélago at 7 pm on Saturday evening, when it was driven onto a
stage in a secured section of the factory floor, a shining, 'Miura' green
metallic Lamborghini was presented, while two other cars, a black one and a
yellow one, were simultaneously unveiled in the large entry hall of the factory.
As usual with Lamborghini, the 'Murciélago' name was taken from bullfighting,
during a fight in 1879, this
Murciélago, how to pronounce :
The name of the latest Lamborghini model could be rather confusing to
pronounce correctly, a small help can be found here, since the name is a
Spanish word, you should roll your tongue and say it like 'more thea lago',
with the accent on the 'thea' section, or something like 'murthialago', both
pronunciations will be close to the original name.
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legendary bull was still standing after 24 stabs from the 'espada', the
matador's sword. Pressured by the audience, this fierce bull was kept alive,
later it was acquired by Don Antonio Miura, yes, the guy that breeded the famous
Miura bulls that named the very first mid-engine road car, the magnificent
Lamborghini Miura.
The rather controversial styling of this new Lamborghini stirred some emotions
from both owners and enthusiasts all over the world, it is true that the
refreshing new Murciélago design wasn't created by an Italian, but by Luc
Donckerwolcke, who was also present at the presentation at the factory. At first
Donckerwolcke supervised the design together with a team of Bertone designers,
but this combination didn't work out so it was decided to end this partnership
and the new Lamborghini would be designed by Luc Donckerwolcke himself.
This 36 years old, Belgian designer, was raised in Peru, where his father was
working as a diplomat, he first got an engineering degree before he successfully
followed a degree in design.
He ended up at Peugeot and a year later, during 1992 he joined Audi AG, where he
designed the stunning A4 Avant, after that he was responsible for the new
designs at Skoda, where the Fabia and Octavia were drawn by him.
He returned to Audi to design the aluminum A2 model and the R8 Le Mans race car,
he can also be held responsible for the prototype shown by Audi during the 1998
Paris Auto Show, it was in fact during that show that his bosses, among them
Peter Schreyer, called him into an office and proposed him to design a car in a
foreign country, Luc actually had to decide what to do without knowing Mr
Schreyer was talking about Lamborghini, when Donckerwolcke accepted he sure
didn't regret this decision.
Donckerwolcke wanted to create the ultimate Lamborghini, a combination of the
best Automobili Lamborghini SpA offered until now, the Murciélago boasts a
rather angular design, one could say it looks like a direct successor to the
Countach, using similar angular lines at the front, although completely up to
date. Some Diablo influence was also visible in the rather forward driving
position, while the engine cover reminds us of the legendary Miura, it is
therefore save to say, that even if it wasn't designed in Italy, the design
still uses some details from the most famous Lamborghini models in the past to
take the new Lamborghini model ahead into the future.
The styling of the Murciélago could be seen as an evolution of the last Diablo
model, but it is clearly visible this new car featured a very clean design with
a highly professional look, also the Murciélago still uses the wedge shape
bodystyle with the cockpit completely integrated into the overall body. The
design featured very angular lines, especially at the front, combined with
magnificent curves and covered with various air intakes and outlets to cool the
massive brakes and fabulous V12 engine. Lamborghini even revived the stunning
'Miura green' color on this new model. Note that there is no signature of the
designer found on the car, not like on the early Diablo, were Marcello Gandini's
signature was mounted on the side.
Donckerwolcke actually involved the Lamborghini engineers into the design,
asking them what they needed and expected, their input considerably styled the
bodywork, since they actually asked for the massive air intakes in the front
bumper and the shoulder mounted intakes to cool down the massive, new 6.2-Liter
V12.
The engine in the Murciélago was still closely related to the famous V12 that
roared into life over 30 years ago, but now used the latest technology in motor
management. Also a dry sump lubrication was used on this 6.2 liter unit, which
allowed the engine to be lowered a full 50 mm in the chassis, improving the
weight ratio and roadholding capabilities of the new Lamborghini.
The extra power was mainly created by using electronically controlled, tubular
intakes with three different lengths, a by-pass valve and variable intake and
exhaust valve settings, the induction system was in fact closely based on the
one used in the very rare Diablo Jota edition, the Murciélago also featured a
'drive by wire' throttle, all of which made the new engine comply with the
strict EU4 emission standards. At only 2000 rpm a massive torque of 400lb ft was
already delivered, according to Ceccarani Lamborghini had been working for seven
years on this system, they even developed a special exhaust system that wouldn't
reduce the power output and still wasn't too loud for certain markets.
At first the Murciélago would use the 6.0 liter engine used in the Diablo 6.0
VT, but Lamborghini's Engineering Director, Massimo Ceccarani didn't think the
possible customers would like the fact that the latest Lamborghini used an
engine with the same displacement as the 'older' model. Therefore they decided
to create a 6.2 liter unit, three prototype engines were tested on the
Lamborghini test benches and proved to be extremely reliable, note that this new
engine had an enlarged stroke of 86.8 mm resulting in a displacement of exactly
6192cc.
Torque output was very important in the development of this new engine, a very
flat curve and a value of 650 Nm at 5400 rpm with a power output of nearly 600
Bhp was the result, however the placement of the radiators to cool this
'hot-blooded' powerplant at the rear of the car caused some headaches to Luc
Donckerwolcke.
Enough cool air was needed to flow through the engine compartment, but the
amount of air needed varied depending on the outside conditions and the cars
actual speed, so installing intakes that would supply enough air, even at the
most extreme conditions would be overkill, several options were tried and Luc
finally decided on a system that was used in the Countach Restyling prototype,
adjustable intakes, these were designed to be neatly integrated into the overall
Murciélago design.
When conditions require it, these air intakes actually open up about 20 degrees
to allow more air into the engine compartment, the intake surface is thus
increased by no less than 80 percent.
Most of the time the intakes will only be raised when the car is at rest or
driving slowly because at speed the intakes are sufficient in their lowered
position, the positioning is naturally fully automatic, although a dashboard
mounted button can also raise them, just to impress the guy next to you. The
intakes would automatically open when the engine temperature rose above normal
operating levels or when the outside temperature was above 32C, also once the
speed of the car reaches 125mph, they would be retracted again to improve the
aerodynamics of this Lamborghini.
The Lamborghini Murciélago will currently only be available in the well known VT
version, a right hand drive version will become available during 2002 with a
Roadster version following in 2004, when the new L140 V10 powered model will
also be introduced for which both Luc Donckerwolcke and Giorgetto Giugiaro have
made designs.
This new model, which could very well use the 'Gallardo' name, will be built on
a aluminum spaceframe with an alloy body. Just like with the Jalpa in it's time,
this new Gallardo bodywork will be built at an Audi plant in Neckersulm, from
where the finished body shells will be shipped to Sant'Agata for finishing.
One can say without a doubt that the new Lamborghini model was probably the most
developed model ever built by Automobili Lamborghini SpA, with the help of Audi
this Lamborghini was thoroughly tested and re-tested, until everything was
exactly to way it should be. The Murciélago had been tested in the most extreme
environmental conditions, this was actually a first for Lamborghini, since the
previous models were all tested on the roads surrounding Sant'Agata and on the
Nardo circuit. The Murciélago was even taken to a deserted area in the United
States to be tested in very high temperatures and at a very low humidity, just
to make sure it would perform up to the specifications, no matter under which
conditions.
Another note is that there were only 5 Diablo prototypes built before production
began, while a total of twelve Murciélago road going test cars were made, with
different bodies naturally, another four units were built to perform crash tests
and airbag tests, the Murciélago was tested on the Nürnburgring and various test
circuits from VW and Audi while top speed tests were conducted on the Nardo and
the Imola circuits.
This new Lamborghini drove like no other model ever before, featuring a variable
suspension with double wishbones both at the front and the rear, using automatic
or manual adjustment, while the nose could be raised by 45mm when driving over
speedbumps, and an adjustable rear wing would raise itself when speeds rose, it
also used the latest technology available at that day, drive by wire to name but
one, but also a Variable Intake system with very impressive air intakes mounted
on the rear shoulders. According to Maurizio Reggiani, the man who supervised
the L147 project, the near perfect 48/52 % weight distribution of the Murciélago
made it perform extremely well under hard braking and accelerating while
remaining very stable under all conditions.
The massive, cross drilled disc brakes were covered with new 18 inch wheels,
also designed by Luc Donckerwolcke, they remind us of the first Bravo style
wheels used on the early Countach S models, naturally now in a multi-piece
design, these wheels used a special design to maximize the cooling effect of the
disc brakes, the tire size at the front was slightly enlarged compared to the
Diablo, while the rear wheels were still covered with massive 335/30 ZR 18
Pirelli's, only for the Murciélago the new Pirelli P Zero 'Rosso' was chosen.
For the first time in Lamborghini history, a six speed gearbox was installed as
standard issue, it could however be ordered with an optional, short ratio
gearing for the four upper speeds, also a completely automatic by Magnetti
Marelli manual gearbox is under development right now.
A special system was installed to limit wheel spin when accelerating fast, also
the self blocking differentials were still used on the Diablo derived
ViscoTraction system, 25% at the front axle, while 45% was used at the rear, a
further development of the ABS system seen on the Diablo has been integrated
into the Murciélago.
The Murciélago featured a very low drag coefficient and actually has zero lift
at the front and only 0,02 percent downforce at the rear, a Cx of only 0.33
which would rise to 0.36 when the air intakes were in their open position and
the rear wing was engaged at it's highest level. This rear wing sat completely
flush with the bodywork until the car reached 130 Km/h, at which time it rose
itself to it's first position at 50 degrees, around 220 Km/h it would raise
itself a little further to its most upright position of 70 degrees were it would
generate enough downforce for the Lamborghini to remain extremely stable, even
at speeds over 330 Km/h.
The impressive front spoiler of the new Lamborghini incorporated some very
large, rectangular air intakes, while the rear bumper also received large air
extractors, a rather special intake was mounted in front of the rear wheels,
pulling air onto the massive, ventilated and perforated disc brakes. The new
Lamborghini featured Bi-Xenon headlight underneath square shaped covers, note
that the small black section in front of them actually holds the special washers
to clean the headlights.
A nice anecdote was found in one of the first magazine articles featuring the
new Lamborghini, in the October 2001 issue of the UK based EVO magazine, they
stated the next thing happened when Valentino Balboni saw the first L147
prototype designed by Donckerwolcke built as a full scale model, when the latter
was introduced to Balboni, the famous test driver actually said to Donckerwolcke
he was the guy who designed the engine cover, Luc replied by 'no, no, I designed
the entire car' and Valentino replied without a doubt, 'sure, we'll built the
engine and you'll design the cover around it'.
The interior of the Murciélago was also designed by an Audi employee, Ralph
Kluge, who was involved in the Audi Rosemeyer concept car, the ergonomically
perfect dashboard and seats were all new, the very luxurious interior featured
dual airbags, an on-board computer and all the comfort anyone would like to
have, special, new seats with integrated headrests were installed, a stunning
two tone leather upholstery was optionally available.
Some minor switches were taken from the Audi parts catalog, like the mirror
controls, but most parts have been designed and created solely for this
Lamborghini. The interior became much roomier, mainly because of the enlarged
wheelbase, a very clean dashboard which features an audio system created
especially for this Lamborghini, a DVD based satellite navigation system was
still available as an option however, compared to the Diablo the passengers have
40mm more headroom and about 25mm more space at the shoulders, a fully
adjustable Momo steering wheel could be adjusted both in rake and tilt, combined
with very stylish seats, nearly everyone could find a suitable driving position
inside this stunning Lamborghini.
On the 2003 IAA Frankfurt Auto Show the Murciélago was shown with an optional
e-gear, a sequential gearbox first seen on the Gallardo.
Note that the opening angle of the doors was enlarged by 5 degrees, while the
sills were about 25mm lower than those on the Diablo. When we further compare
both models, we'll notice the Murciélago has a 15mm longer wheelbase and used
enlarged tracks, the new Lamborghini sits about 25mm taller, 5mm wider and 110mm
longer while it also gained some 25 kg in the process.
The bodywork is made from Carbon Fiber, only the roof and both doors are made of
steel to improve rigidity.
For a price around the same level as the previous Diablo 6.0 VT, around US $
205,000, the new Murciélago was bound to become a success, Automobili Lamborghini
SpA was counting on building nearly 400 units each year, this would make the
Murciélago a very important competitor when compared to Ferrari or any other
marque, although most competitors are more a GT while the Lamborghini is really
a supercar in the purest meaning of the word, and with the workmanship and
finishing level we all know from Audi, we can only expect the best from this new
model from Sant'Agata.
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More photographs from this model can be found on our extensive IMAGE galleries ... |
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Want to discuss this or other models, check out the Lamborghini Cars Forum ! for more information |
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