The Lamborghini Murciélago (/ˈmɜrsɪərlɑːɡoʊ/) is a high-performance two-door, two-seat sports car that was produced by Italian automaker Lamborghini between 2001 and 2010. Often referred to as a supercar, it was the flagship of the automaker's lineup. The Murciélago was introduced as a coupé in 2001 for the 2002 model year, succeeding the famed Diablo supercar in Lamborghini's lineup. The car was the automaker's first new design in eleven years, as well as the first under the ownership of German automaker Audi. It was styled by Peruvian-born Belgian Luc Donckerwolke, Lamborghini's head of design from 1998 to 2005. A roadster version of the car was introduced in 2004, followed by the updated LP 640 coupé and roadster and LP 650-4 Roadster. The final variation to wear the Murciélago nameplate was the LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, powered by the largest and final evolution of the historic Lamborghini V12 engine. Production of the Murciélago ended on November 5, 2010, with a total run of 4,099 cars. It's successor the Aventador was released at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. In a continuation of Lamborghini's tradition of giving its cars names from the world of bullfighting, the Murciélago was named for a fighting bull that survived 28 sword strokes in an 1879 fight against Rafael "El Lagartijo" Molina Sanchez, at the Coso de los califas bullring in Córdoba, Spain. Murciélago fought with such passion and spirit that the matador chose to spare its life, a rare honor. The bull, which came from Joaquin del Val di Navarra's farm, was later presented as a gift to Don Antonio Miura, a noted local breeder; thus began the famed Miura line of fighting bulls, which provided the name for one of Lamborghini's first great cars. Murciélago is the Spanish name for the bat. The word is pronounced [murθiˈelaɣo], with a voiceless dental fricative (as in English thing), in the Castilian Spanish spoken in most of Spain. However, the Italian automaker often uses the Southern Spain and Latin American Spanish pronunciation, [murˈsjelaɣo], with an [s] sound.
Lamborghini Murcielago road test - Top Gear - BBC
The Murciélago is a four-wheel-drive, mid-engined luxury sportscar. Its square body is especially high-slung, with its roof rising to just under 4 feet above the ground. The super-fast car features scissor doors, which contribute to its exotic image. First-generation Murciélagos, produced between 2001 and 2010, were powered by a Lamborghini V12 which traces its roots back to the company's beginnings in the 1960s. The rear differential is integrated into the engine unit, and the four-wheel drive features a central viscous coupling. Power was sent to the wheels through a six-speed manual. The Murciélago possesses an independent double-wishbone suspension design, and features a combination of carbon-fiber and steel bodywork. The rear spoiler and the air scoops integrated into the car's shoulders are electromechanically activated, and fold out from the body at high speeds to aid aerodynamic performance and provide additional engine cooling, respectively.In 2004, Lamborghini celebrated its 40th anniversary by releasing an Anniversary Edition of the Murciélago. In prior decades, the company had released commemorative editions of the Countach and Diablo. The 40th anniversary cars were produced in a limited run of 50 vehicles; enhancements included a limited-edition Blue body color that was labelled "Jade-Green", carbon-fiber exterior detailing, upgraded wheels, a revamped exhaust system, and a numbered plaque displayed inside the rear window. The interior featured a new leather trim and additional electronic features.
In March 2006, Lamborghini presented a new version of its halo car at the Geneva Motor Show: the Murciélago LP640. The new designation accompanying the car's name indicated the engine's position and orientation within the car (Longitudinale Posteriore, or "Rear Longitudinal"), and referenced the V12 engine's uprated power output; with its displacement increased to 6.5 litres, the engine in the new car made 640 PS (471 kW; 631 hp) at 8000 rpm. The Murciélago's exterior received a minor facelift, with revised front and rear fascias and side air intakes. A new exhaust system is shaped into the rear diffuser, and the left-hand side air intake is enlarged to accommodate the oil cooler. A revised suspension, a launch control system, and an all-wheel drive system round out the performance modifications. A new 6-speed "E-gear" sequential automatic transmission became available as well. The LP640 wears 335/30 tires on its rear wheels. Interior seating was reshaped to provide greater headroom, and an improved stereo system forms part of the updated dashboard. The U.S. MSRP was set at $318,800.[citation needed] Optional equipment included Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) ceramic composite brakes, chrome paddle shifters and a glass engine cover. The 2008 car's estimated fuel economy for the 6-speed manual is Template:Convert/ak47 city and 13 miles per US gallon (18 L/100 km; 16 mpg-imp) freeway, making it the least efficient 2008 car for city and highway driving, according to the EPA.In May 2010 in the United States, Lamborghini recalled 428 of its 2007–2008 Murciélago coupes and roadsters because poor quality welds holding the fuel pump support inside the gas tank could fail, leading to a fuel leak and possible fire.
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