Geneva 2011: Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

Lamborghini's fifth generation V12 supercar made its official debut in Geneva, and while we've already detailed every aspect of the Aventador LP700-4 in our in-depth article we published yesterday, today we finally had the opportunity to get some first person impressions of the latest Raging Bull.

Lamborghini had three Aventadors on display, ranging from the bright orange example we first saw in the studio photos to a more subtle grey and a stunning matte white. The white, in particular, shows off the various styling elements of the exterior, especially the muscular creases on the front and sides. Despite having more complex lines, the Aventador still manages to have a cleaner look than some of the later generation Murcielagos. We snag a few minutes inside, and the quality of materials is proof that Lamborghini is continuing to benefit the Volkswagen Group's influence.

You can see our live photos of the Aventador LP700-4 in the gallery below, and be sure to see our in-depth coverage of the car in case you missed it the first time around.

First Drive: 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera LP570-4

Duck your head, limbo in, probe the footwell for legroom, lower yourself carefully into the Sparco tub, stretch out, breathe out, and relax if you can. No, the Gallardo cockpit is not made for tall fatsos whose Gold's Gym membership expired in 1972. Which is a shame, because the Superleggera epitomizes luxury in a modern, laidback fashion - super, yes; leggera, less so. Almost the entire passenger cell is lined with black Alcantara, which looks and feels like suede. To reduce weight, the door panels, the transmission tunnel cover, and the seat buckets are made of shiny carbon fiber. Other nice touches include bespoke instrument faces, body-color accents like contrasting stitching and piping, aluminum pedals, and a meaty steering wheel with an ever-so-slightly squared-off bottom.

Painted orange metallic, our fully loaded test car was charmingly over the top, what with orange weaving in the seat faces and orange brake calipers. To shed the 154 pounds required to bring the power-to-weight ratio down to 5.2 lb/hp, the engineers switched the rear side windows and backlight to distortion-prone polycarbonate. The high-gloss engine compartment cover, rear diffuser, front splitter, full-length undertray, and the extra-wide rocker panels are baked from carbon fiber. Not exactly essential - but nonetheless available at extra cost - are such attention grabbers as the LED engine bay, cabin and puddle lighting packs, and the stacked, nonadjustable, Countach-style tail spoiler. All in all, the more radical material mix helps to push down the curb weight to 2955 pounds, which isn't bad at all for a fully loaded, V-10-engined, four-wheel-drive supercoupe.

The tight-fitting Superleggera makes for an extremely intense driving experience. The one-size-fits-few seats are suction-cup fixtures that a dominatrix would be proud of. The instant throttle response launches you forward like an ejector. The ultra-quick steering feels like a high-voltage handshake. The merciless brakes threaten to inflict reverse whiplash injury. The suspension holds the road like an unsprung magnetic field. Dressed to impress with go-faster stripework and plenty of drag-cutting add-ons, the Superleggera marks the transition from boulevard racer to hardcore supercar that can't wait to be unleashed. This Lamborghini redefines the demarcation line between pain and pleasure, punishment and reward. Its helm dismisses you with chimney-sweeper palms, its exhaust system temporarily impairs your hearing, its chassis is liable to blur your field of vision, and its transmission combs your hair backwards as it changes gear at 8500 rpm sharp. The term cruise missile comes to mind as phenomenal grip and insane traction make the mighty orange wedge stick to its flight path as if inertia, mass, and g-force were totally negligible dynamic commodities

A bit of chip tuning was all it took to squeeze an additional 10 hp out of the 5.2-liter V-10 Gallardo engine, which now delivers 570 hp at 8000 rpm and an unchanged 398 lb-ft at 6500 rpm. By reprogramming the thrust mode of the e-gear transmission for 5000 take-off revs and an absolute minimum of wheelspin, Lamborghini claims it has shaven a notable 0.3 second off the 0-to-62-mph acceleration time, which is rated at 3.4 seconds. The top speed remains the same at 203 mph. Although Lamborghini still offers the classic manual transmission complete with chrome gate, polished golfball shift knob, and wonderfully positive action, the take rate has dropped to under two percent. How come? Because there are no tangible performance or efficiency benefits (the stick shift car is actually seven percent thirstier), and because the paddle-shift operation makes it a lot easier to cut that torque pie expertly into six even slices.

The Superleggera is, in fact, quite civilized and can be had with navigation, a high-end stereo, iPhone connectivity, a front-axle lift system, rear-view camera, and an automatic mode for the paddle-shift transmission. The Lambo will happily entertain the street café crowd at a mix of 6500 rpm and 15 mph in first all the way down the main drag. It doesn't balk at extensive stop-and-go frustrations, and it will, at the push of a button, perform one head-turning race start after the other. As soon as the road is clear, it begs for the Corsa program, which lowers the ESP threshold and raises the rev limit. This is arms-forward, head-down, hips-back stuff: every full-throttle upshift sends a brief judder through the aluminum monocoque, kicks butt with a vengeance, makes the nineteen-inch Pirellis leave their initials on the tarmac in first, second, and occasionally even in third gear.

The Lamborghini makes you work hard, sweat early, and fear regularly. For a truly uncompromising driving machine, look no further than at our arancia borrealis tarmac peeler. This car is stiff, edgy, impatient, and aggressive, a corner-greedy pothole-hater that's ready to pick a fight and is always on the prowl. The Superleggera needs to be pushed to shed idiosyncrasies like the lumpy low-speed ride, the grotesque tramlining, and the initially passive handling. But as soon as the wide track, the long wheelbase, and the low center of gravity push open that critical velocity window in a concerted action, Dr. Jekyll becomes Mr. Hyde - and minor inputs yield major effects. This is a beautifully modular car gifted with sensuous steering, sensational speed-induced stability, an almost feline feeling for the complexities of the pavement, and a magic maneuverability that pivots around an interplay of invisible axes as though inspired by an M. C. Escher drawing. True, the Superleggera scribes an embarrassingly extrovert turning circle, and its brittle front axle lacks the compliance Porsche has thankfully rediscovered for the GT3 RS, an obvious competitor to the Superleggera. But the Lambo's brakes are more progressive, torque feed is much more seamless, and being really quick doesn't automatically require grand gestures and superhuman saves.

In terms of overall competence, the newest Lamborghini scores a solid ten. In terms of value for money, however, you may be better off with a no-frills Gallardo LP560-4 coupe. Quite a bit better, in fact, since the Superleggera will command a $32,600 premium over the $205,000 LP560-4 when it goes on sale here in June.

Pics Aplenty: Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce

We haven't necessarily had a shortage of photos of the Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce. In addition to the first batch of press photos released by Lamborghini, we also captured the super-Murcielago on the show floor in Geneva and once again here in the United States when it stopped by at one of our favorite weekly car gatherings. Even so, our salivary glands went into overdrive when we saw this latest batch of photos of the SuperVeloce. There' s just something about the outrageous over-the-top styling that takes us back to being a teenager.

Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce – the new king of the bulls is even more powerful, lighter and faster.

The Lamborghini Murciélago is one of the most extraordinary super sports cars of all time. Automobili Lamborghini has now expanded its model range with a new, exceptionally purist and even more extreme top model – the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is even more powerful, lighter and faster than the Murciélago LP 640. With the output of the 6.5 liter V12 increased to 670 hp and a weight reduction of 100 kg (220 lbs), the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 2.3 kg (5.1 lbs) per hp. This catapults it from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a breathtaking 3.2 seconds and powers it on to a top speed of around 342 km/h (212 mph). Distinctive design refinements ensure that each of this 350-unit limited edition series conveys its full potential from the very first glance.

Lamborghini's latest comes shroud in carbon fibre bodywork and more power than an LP640

Here’s a Lamborghini for those who think the Murcielago is just too shy and retiring! This is the Reventón, a special edition of the brand’s flagship supercar, sporting a striking new body and a ￡787,250 price tag.

As only 20 have been made available, it’s certainly exclusive. But can it really be worth nearly five times as much as the model it’s based on?
One thing is for sure: it’s absolutely stunning. The carbon fibre bodywork, which has been penned by the Lambor-ghini Style Centre in Italy, is influenced by the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter.

Add camouflage-style paintwork and matt black wheels, and it looks as though it’s escaped from an air force base. According to company sources, the design isn’t a one-off, either. All future Lamborghinis for the next decade will follow the Reventón’s cues.

Power comes from the same 6.5-litre V12 engine as in the Murcielago LP640, but with an additional 10bhp – taking the total output to a storming 641bhp. The 0-62mph sprint still takes 3.4 seconds, but the Reventón is even more responsive in-gear. It sounds incred-ible, delivering a raucous bark that can be heard from miles away.

There is great fun to be had from blipping the revs on the downchange, but the standard-fit e-gear semi-auto box – which features steering wheel paddles – is jerky at low speeds.

The Murcielago’s optional 380mm ceramic brakes are also included, and they provide outstanding stopping power. With ultra-wide Pirelli tyres and four-wheel-drive traction, there’s lots of grip – but only the very talen-ted will tame the Lambo on the limit. Inside, the Alcantara-trimmed bucket seats are unforgivingly hard, but the digital display on the dash is neat.

It can switch between analogue dials or an aero-influenced readout, complete with G-force meter! Similar to the set-up in jet fighters, it shows the pull being exerted while braking, accelerating and cornering. So the car provides a remarkable experience, but is it really worth nearly ￡800,000? Well, all 20 examples of the Reventón have been sold – one is in the UK. For those buyers, the answer is an emphatic yes.

Rival: Bugatti Veyron
The Lamborghini is no match for the ￡810,000 Veyron on the road. But both are amazing to look at and true collectors’ items. As all Reventóns have been sold, well heeled fans of the exclusive supercar experience will have to go knocking on Bugatti’s door.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Aerodynamic Package by IMSA

Not many tuners dare to touch the Lamborghinis, but the few who do (Hamann, Edo) do so with great respect for the supercar icon. Imsa, a German high-tech engineering specialist, has developed an Autoclave moulded carbon fibre technology- and design-package for the 'devil' of the Lamborghini line-up. Autoclave moulding is normally a process reserved for F1 and other high-end motorsport racing.

The aggressive new front spoiler aligns perfectly to the, by 35 mm widened, wheel arches. On the upper side of the wheel arches imsa has added air ducts resulting in a reduction of the drag effect caused by non-aerodynamic airflow at higher (and top) speeds. The imsa side skirts garantees optimum airflow to the new rear diffuser which has been developed for a perfect interaction with the imsa rear spoiler.

There is no mention on pricing, but you know what they say, if you have to ask how much, you can't afford it.

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Press Release

The brand new imsa technical and aerodynamic-enhancement program for the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

Imsa, the world-acclaimed, German High-Tech Engineering specialist, exclusively presents, after successfully introducing the stunning imsa GTV Supercar based on all versions of the Lamborghini Gallardo, its new technology and design-enhancement program for Lamborghini's current top-of-the-range supercar, the Murcielago LP640.

Special emphasis must be laid on the technology- and design-package made from Autoklav moulded carbon fibre. Technology which is normally only being used in Formula 1 and other Top-motorsports Series.

Imsa's main target was, for all owners of the Lamborghini top-of-the-range-model, to offer an exclusive product line, transforming the Murcielago both technically and optically into a unique work of art, with the aim of significantly enhancing the exclusivity of Lamborghini's top-model.

The strinkingly aggressive and aerodynamically highly effective front apron (spoiler) perfectly aligned to the wheel arches (widened 35mm on each side), directly becomes apparent.

On the upper side of the wheel arches, imsa CFK air ducts have been integrated, resulting in a significant reduction of the drag effect caused by non-aerodynamic airflow at higher and highest velocity.

The imsa side-skirts on the underside guarantee the optimum airflow to the imsa diffuser, which has been developed for an aerodynamically perfect interaction with the imsa rear spoiler. Imsa herewith achieved to considerably lower the downforce at higher and highest speeds.

The benefits for the driver are a significant enhancement of driving stability, safety and enjoyment. All parts of the imsa-aerodynamic-enhancement program are either available in carbon-on-sight or can be painted in any colour of choice.

The imsa aerodynamic-enhancement-program is available from November 2007 on and will soon be available for the "standard" Murcielago as well.

The imsa technical enhancement program also includes - exactly as for the imsa GTV Supercar based on the Lamborghini Gallardo - exclusive imsa multi-part sports wheels with central locking system, various sports chassis with individual settings, and, last but not least, various imsa engine modifications and own engines.

At imsa, each customer is fully involved in the creation of his personal, unique imsa-Megacar handcrafted according to highest German standards of quality and precision.

Additionally, personalised tailor-made interiors inclusive of various multi-media applications are also being fitted on special request.

[source:WorldCarFans]