When Audi became the proud owner of the Lamborghini brand, the heir to the Diablo was almost ready. Over the design has worked firm Zagato. The car was planned to be called Canto, but the project was not approved by Ferdinand Pih. The Italian design was not inspired by the Germans, so they turned to the help of the Belgian Audi specialist Luc Donkerfolk.
Lamborghini Murchielago was released in 2001. The name Murciélago, according to the half-century-old Lamborghini tradition, is rooted in a bullfight. Translated from Spanish, the name of this model means “Bat”. The style of Murchielago can be represented as the development of the Diablo design. The car is replete with smooth surfaces with a stylish and pronounced cut.
Compared to Diablo, the interior space increased by 40 mm in height and 25 mm in width, the angle of elevation of the doors increased by 5 °, while the door threshold was lower by 25 mm, which makes it easier to fit in the car. In a word, the Murcielago is more friendly towards its passengers and more comfortable than its predecessor. Appearance Murciélago very spectacular. With the wing doors open, the model really looks like a bat. Striking massive air intakes in the front bumper and near the door, which with a critical increase in the load on the engine are able to increase in size.
The features of the Murcielago include a retractable three-position rear spoiler that changes its angle at speeds of 130 km / h and 220 km / h. Due to its wedge-shaped form, the car has a low drag coefficient of Cx = 0.33 during normal operation, and Cx = 0.36 with open air intakes. Under the hood, a 6.2 liter V12 engine. He is able to develop power 580 hp (426 kW) at 7,500 rpm This power was achieved thanks to an electronic system for changing the length of the intake tract (three different lengths) and an adjustable valve timing. For the first time in the company's history, a six-speed gearbox was included in the base model. Drive on all 4 wheels.
The absolutely accurate data on the maximum speed of the Murciélago does not exist, but it definitely located above 330 km / h. Particularly wealthy and demanding customers can order the Murcielago R-GT, which they started selling in 2004. This supercar was created with the participation of specialists from two well-known sports companies - Auto Sport and Reiter Engineering. The Murcielago R-GT is lighter than the base one and a half times (1,100 kg versus 1,650), while the drive is exclusively rear.
Other features include a new aerodynamic body kit and a huge rear spoiler. Engine V12 thoroughly redesigned. Together with him running sports sequential gearbox. In addition, each car is worth an individual order.
In 2004, sales began modification Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster, on which you can put or remove the fabric roof. Regarding the roof there is a limitation - with a raised top you can move at a speed of no more than 100 km / h. In the design of the body had to make significant changes. The aluminum monocoque, weakened after removing the roof, was strengthened, and the suspensions were reconfigured. There are changes in the interior. The head restraints took on a different form, and behind the seats the safety arches settled down, which are “fired” automatically in the event of a tipping over.
The rising windows of the doors together with the windshield and the rear panels of the body form a kind of “cocoon” within which the wind practically does not walk even at high speed. The driver's cabin is significantly different from the passenger. This is traced primarily in the decoration, where applied, in particular, perforated leather, which are covered with a seat, interior door panel and elements of the three-spoke steering wheel. In the standard package there is an onboard computer and an automatic air conditioning, optionally you can install the navigation system.
From a technical point of view, the roadster is not much different from the coupe: a 580-horsepower V12 6.2 engine, a six-speed manual gearbox (the robotic version is offered for a fee), an all-wheel drive transmission with inter-axle viscous coupling and two self-locking differentials. By the way, the roadster accelerates to 100 km / h in just 3.8 seconds, the maximum speed is 330 km / h. In 2006, the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 saw the light. This modification is characterized by an increase in engine capacity up to 6.5 liters and an increase in its power up to 640 hp.
External changes affected the front and rear bumper. A new diffuser appeared in the stern with integrated tailpipes and new taillights. The driver has also changed.
