Next Murciélago gets in shape

Lighter Lambo on the way with radical look and stop-start

28th August 2009

Meet the next ultimate Lambo!

These pictures give us the best look yet at how the raging bull of the future will shape up – and it’s set to eclipse the existing Murciélago in every way.

The car has yet to be given a name, but it’s expected to combine Lamborghini owner Audi’s aluminium spaceframe chassis with a carbon fibre bodyshell.

That will make it much lighter than the Murciélago it replaces – and guarantees stunning performance to go with the incredible looks.

Up front is a pronounced spoiler and fresh headlamps – but designers have reserved the biggest changes for the rear. They have moved the Murciélago’s trademark angular exhaust closer to the ground, while new strip-like LED tail-lights replace the current square units.


Power is expected to come from a 6.0-litre V12 with around 700bhp – that would propel the car from 0-60mph in just over three seconds.

The new Lambo will also be wider and longer, while four-wheel drive ensures it’s firmly planted on the road.


Preliminary prototypes have been spied near Germany’s Nürburgring track, but the car is unlikely to arrive before 2012.


The newcomer will also pave the way for future generations of hybrid Lambos.

It will be the brand’s first car to use efficient technologies such as stop-start and energy regeneration, and is a major step towards bosses’ plans to deliver the first-ever Lamborghini hybrid by 2015.

Lamborghini recently launched its new LP670-4 SV, a car many believe to be the final evolution of the Murcielago platform--though a Reventon Roadster is also rumored to be in the works--so it’s not surprising to see test-mules for the car’s replacement lurking around the streets of Sant'Agata and Germany’s Nurburgring. This new Lamborghini will have some tough competition when it arrives as there are new supercar models in the works at rival brands Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin.

While it’s still too early to speculate on the final specs, there are several crucial details we can gather from recent spy shots, as well as new reports coming out of Europe. One of the biggest changes over the outgoing Murcielago will be the adoption of the Audi R8’s aluminum spaceframe chassis as well as a carbon-fiber bodyshell.

This means that the new model will retain the Murcielago’s mid-engine layout but be much lighter. According to previous reports, its wheelbase will be similar in length to the Murcielago but its overhangs, both front and rear, will be much shorter. Furthermore, as evidenced by the extended fender flares in these spy shots, it will feature a wider track.

Mounted to each wheel of the test-mule is a RoaDyn torque sensor used to monitor the different forces and torque levels exerted on a specific wheel at different speeds. The data gathered can help engineers work out varying grip and traction levels in an effort to fine tune the vehicle’s all-wheel drive and suspension settings, plus ride characteristics.

A big-cube V-12 engine will likely remain but the addition of direct injection technology should improve fuel-efficiency and power levels across the rev-range. In this way, engineers will be able to improve performance without having to boost power, the end result of which will be a much easier to drive Lamborghini flagship. The 670 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque developed by the latest Murcielago LP670-4 SV gives us a rough estimate as to what to expect. A dual-clutch transmission may also be offered to help transfer power to the four wheels.

This may also be the first Lamborghini to be fitted with a hybrid powertrain, as well as fuel-saving engine stop-start and brake-energy regeneration technologies. CEO Stephan Winkelmann has already hinted at a 2015 launch for a hybrid Lamborghini and the new supercar’s expected 2012 release date puts it right on target to be the first green Lambo. [AutoExpress]