Design and Aerodynamics
The Murciélago is an icon of the Lamborghini
brand - a sports machine of menacing character and brutal power. Its unique
design radiates a supreme form of highly concentrated sensuality. Wide, low,
with its glass area pushed way forward and a long, taut back - the interplay
between the soft contours of the basic form and razor sharp edges is the perfect
expression of the Lamborghini design language. In the totality of its character,
the Murciélago is without comparison on the sports car market.
Yet even a
character like this can be further refined - the new Lamborghini Murciélago LP
670-4 SuperVeloce is the more extreme, even more purist pinnacle of the model
range. This is clearly evident from the very first glimpse of its completely
redesigned front end - pulled way forward and finished in matt black paint, the
carbon fiber front spoiler is connected to the front end via two vertical
elements. The large air intakes for the front brakes are more powerfully
emphasized. The new front fenders feature additional air intakes for brake
ventilation. The air vent for the oil cooler located in the driver-side sill
area is painted matt black to match the sills.
The modifications are even
more apparent around the mighty engine bay of the Murciélago LP 670-4
SuperVeloce. The twelve-cylinder engine is presented as an engineering
masterpiece under a transparent engine bonnet that boasts a completely new
architecture. Hexagonal polymer plates made from transparent polycarbonate are
set on three levels within a carbon fiber framework. The layers are open towards
the rear, playing a key role in the thermodynamics of the high-performance
engine.
The impressive rear end of the SuperVeloce is dominated by a
veritably noble, flat and extremely wide exhaust tailpipe and, on the underside,
by a two-level diffuser system finished entirely in carbon fiber. The rear light
clusters display their signals in that distinctive Y-shape that has been a fixed
element of Lamborghini design since the Murciélago LP 640, Reventón and Gallardo
LP 560-4. The panel between the lights is made from carbon fiber, while the
large intake mesh below expands across the full width of the rear end. Made from
thick-walled aluminum, the hexagonal pattern is laser-cut and a Teflon coating
provides the necessary heat protection.
The aerodynamics of the
Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce have been completely redeveloped. Alongside the
enlarged front spoiler and the twin rear diffuser, the new fixed rear spoiler
also plays an important role. Customers can choose between two versions, with
the small rear spoiler providing improved downforce at high speeds. As an
option, the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce can be supplied with the "Aeropack
Wing" - a large, fixed, carbon-fiber wing mounted on two carbon-fiber brackets.
The new aerodynamic set-up provides a significant boost to directional stability
at the very highest speeds. The top-speed downforce on the Murciélago LP 670-4
SuperVeloce with Aeropack is strongly increased.
Bodyshell and
Lightweight Construction
With the construction of the Murciélago LP 670-4
SuperVeloce, Lamborghini proves its expertise in the manufacture of lightweight
materials and in working with hi-tech carbon fiber. The structure of the super
sports car is a composite construction of extremely stiff carbon components and
a tubular steel frame - as in a race car. The transmission tunnel and the floor
are made of carbon fiber, attached to the steel frame using rivets and
high-strength adhesives. The roof and the exterior door panels are formed in
sheet steel, while the remainder of the outer skin is made from carbon composite
material.
For the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, engineers in
Sant'Agata Bolognese recalculated the framework and selected a new, super
high-strength sectional steel. This achieved two objectives - on the one hand,
they increased the torsional stiffness of the chassis by 12 percent to provide
improved handling precision and, on the other, they were able to reduce weight
by 44 lbs, making a significant contribution to the reduction of overall vehicle
weight. And the systematic approach to lightweight design continues throughout
the entire bodyshell. The front fenders, the rear side panels/fenders and the
casing for the third brake light are made of a modified carbon-fiber material.
Combined with the removal of the drive for the moveable spoiler, this brings a
further weight reduction of 28.6 lbs.
Added to the 72.6 lbs of weight
reduction from the chassis and exterior, are 74.8 lbs from the interior, as well
as over 72.6 lbs removed from the engine and drive train.
670-hp V12
Power Unit
The longitudinally mounted 6.5 liter V12 delivers the
infernal power for an unparalleled driving experience. With 670 hp, the engine
in the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is 30 hp more powerful than in the
Murciélago LP 640. The twelve-cylinder sends its mighty 487 lb-ft of torque to
the crankshaft at 6,500 rpm; maximum power is reached at 8,000 rpm, with an
average piston speed of 23.7 meters per second - a figure almost comparable to
race engines.
The V12 is eager to deliver its performance - it brings its
menacing power with immediacy and precision to guarantee breathtaking
performance - after only 3 seconds the SuperVeloce has already reached 60 mph.
The engine block and heads of the V12, positioned at the ideal cylinder
angle of 60 degrees, are made from aluminum. The four chain-driven camshafts are
variably controlled, while the intake manifold operates in three stages - both
technologies add even greater thrust to the merciless pushing power. To increase
the performance of the SuperVeloce, the
intake system was modified, the valve train optimized and, most importantly,
valve travel was increased.
The control electronics for the V12 were
developed internally by Lamborghini - each cylinder bank has its own
high-performance processor. If the engine needs more cooling air, intake funnels
emerge from the rear pillars: when not in operation, they lie flush with the
bodyshell. Dry sump lubrication enables the V12 to be mounted extremely low
down, benefiting the handling dynamics: this also guarantees oil supply under
extremely dynamic driving conditions. With 12 liters of lubricating oil in
circulation, the oil cooler is located on the left side of the vehicle and
cooled by air flowing through the aperture in the sill.
The weight
reduction of more than 57 lbs in the engine area was derived primarily from the
completely new exhaust system. The muffler has been redesigned and even the
mighty tailpipe of the SuperVeloce manufactured from new materials is lighter
than on the Murciélago LP 640. But most of all, the new exhaust system makes for
an acoustic experience that is surely equal to the driving performance - from
the heavy rumble of a stormy night, through the trumpeting of mighty elephants
to the roar of a raging lion, the SuperVeloce performs the grand opera for 12
cylinders, 48 valves and 8,000 revs.
The SuperVeloce is equipped
as standard with the sequential, automated manual transmission e.gear, which
uses electro-hydraulics to shift gear extremely quickly and smoothly. A cockpit
display informs the driver of the gear currently engaged. In addition a special
"Corsa" mode and a "Low adherence" mode are available.
As a no-premium
option, the SuperVeloce is available with a six-speed manual transmission. Its
short metal shift stick runs in an open gate of classic Italian elegance. In
both variants, the new lightweight clutch makes its own contribution to the
weight loss program.
All-Wheel Drive and Chassis
The
Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce delivers its extreme power to the road with
great reliability - assured by its permanent all-wheel drive. Before the rear
wheels spin, the viscous coupling sends up to 35 percent of driving force via
its additional shaft to the front wheels. The front and rear limited-slip
differentials are set at 25 and 45 percent. With its four driven wheels and
traction, the Murciélago delivers a decisive advantage over rear-wheel drive
sports cars when it comes to accelerating out of a corner - and always with
maximum stability. The rear axle bears 58 percent of its overall weight - a
distribution ratio that is highly beneficial to traction.
Explosive
dynamics, tenacious cornering and extreme speeds - the Murciélago LP 670-4
SuperVeloce is a super sports car packed with aggressive power, but by no means
a mean-spirited car. Its steering requires very little power support, giving
full control of the car to the driver. Those prepared to tackle the beast head
on are quickly rewarded with intimate contact and trust - as speed increases, so
the Murciélago reveals its strengths, thus exposing a character with no hidden
surprises and behavior that can always be anticipated.
The Murciélago is
fitted with double wishbone suspension all round. Spring struts - two on each of
the rear wheels and one on each of the front - control the loads transferred
from the road. The standard-fit lifting system enables the front end of the
vehicle to be raised by 1.8 inches to avoid obstacles such as garage entryways.
The SuperVeloce is equipped with exclusive "Ares" alloy-forged wheels, bearing
the exclusive five twin-spoke design. The front wheels are clad in 245/35 ZR18
rubber, while the rears sport 335/30 ZR18. High-grip Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires
come as standard.
Four brakes controlled by a hi-tech ABS system are
capable of mighty stopping power when required. The Carbon Ceramic (CCB) brakes
are fanned by cooling air flowing through enlarged channels in the bodyshell,
while openings in the front fenders provide additional ventilation for the
SuperVeloce. The ceramic discs are exceptionally lightweight, fade-free and
capable of extremely high operational performance.
Interior and
Equipment
Even stepping into the Murciélago LP 670-4
SuperVeloce is an experience as individual as the vehicle itself. The
upward-opening doors - a solution developed by Lamborghini in the early
seventies for the Countach - are released via small latches, then swing wide
open to reveal a panorama of the exclusive interior of the Murciélago LP 670-4
SuperVeloce. The dominating materials are Alcantara and carbon fiber, which make
for an ambience that is as high-quality as it is sporty.
The sports
bucket seats come as standard and provide exceptionally firm support around the
hip and shoulder areas. The bucket seats are made from lightweight and highly
robust carbon fiber and guarantee the driver perfect support, even in the most
extreme driving situations. The Murciélago's standard seats are also available
on the SuperVeloce as an option free of charge.
Not only the seats are
upholstered in black Alcantara micro-fiber; the cockpit and the roof lining are
also finished in this high-quality, lightweight material. The Y-shaped
perforations on the seats and roof lining bring additional finesse, with an
inlaid backing material in the same color as the exterior paintwork. The
Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce can be delivered with the paint finishes Giallo
Orion, Arancio Atlas, Bianco Isis, Grigio Telesto and Nero Aldebaran, as well as
Bianco Canopus (white matt) and Nero Nemesis (black matt) as an option.
Naturally, the interior also makes its contribution to weight reduction. The
door panels are clad in carbon fiber, as is the wide center tunnel. The
application of Alcantara instead of leather is another weight-saver, just like
the selection of sports bucket seats and the omission of the radio-navigation
system (if requested, this is available as an option). At the end of the day,
the music in a Murciélago comes from the engine compartment. Overall,
modifications to the interior contribute over 75 lbs to the SuperVeloce weight
loss program.
But absolutely no corners have been cut when it comes to
one characteristic that is a feature of all Lamborghini super sports cars - the
exceptionally high quality of the workmanship. The craftsmen in
Sant'Agata Bolognese are all masters of their respective trades; the three-year
warranty bears testimony to absolute faith in product quality.
Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications