Overview

What Changed for 2008:

• Limited Edition Murcilago LP640 coupe Versace

Overview
The first Lamborghini sports car, a 350GTV, rolled out of Ferruccio Lamborghini's Italian factory in 1963. It was just a year after he opened the doors to his newest venture, Automobili Lamborghini. Two years later, in 1965, Lamborghini's first purpose-built race car, the Miura, was introduced. Over the next four decades, the name Lamborghini would be associated with some of the world's most exotic Italian automobiles: Countach, Jalpa, and Diablo. Each was a no-compromise design with powerful engines, state-of-the art styling, and typical Lamborghini flair.

Under the current ownership of the German automaker Audi AG (a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group), the Lamborghini Murcilago was introduced in 2001 as a successor to the Diablo. The 2-door coupe featured a powerful 12-cylinder engine and full-time all-wheel drive (AWD). The 2005 model year brought an open-top version to the market. It was called the Lamborghini Murcilago Roadster, and it shared all of the coupe's mechanicals except for the engine. In 2006, the powerplant in the coupe was replaced with a larger 6.5-liter unit, and the exotic was renamed the Lamborghini Murcilago LP640 coupe. The Roadster received the same engine upgrade in 2007. The model year 2008 only brought minor changes, and a special Limited Edition model. Every 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo is covered by a 3-year/unlimited mileage basic factory warranty at the time of sale.

Model Lineup
There are two different Lamborghini Murcilago models for 2008: Murcilago LP640 coupe and Murcilago LP640 Roadster. (It should be noted that Lamborghini also offers a very rare special-edition Murcilago LP640 Roadster Versace for 2008 with a customized all-white exterior and matching interior.) All Murcilago models for 2008 share the identical 6.5-liter V-12 engine and drivetrain options. While the Murcilago LP640 coupe features a fixed roof over the passengers, the Murcilago LP640 Roadster is open to the sky. There is no retractable roof fitted: in the event the vehicle is caught in inclement weather, Lamborghini has supplied the Roadster with a canvas roof (designed for speeds of less than 120 mph) that locks into place for temporary use.

The 2008 Lamborghini Murcilago LP640 models are updated significantly when compared to the Murcilago at its introduction. The standard leather seats now feature lozenge-shaped stitching called Q-citura. The same design is found on the upholstery covering the door panels and roof panel. The instrument panel has been upgraded with new graphics, and it now includes a Kenwood radio with a 6.5-inch widescreen monitor with DVD, MP3 and WMA capabilities. Navigation is optional. For those customers who demand custom colors, upholsteries, or special electronics, Lamborghini offers the "Individualisation Program Ad Personam" with an almost inexhaustible list of custom options. (Lamborghini's motto is: "Think the Impossible.")

Powertrain
All versions of the 2008 Lamborghini Murcilago share the identical powerplant. Located just behind the two passenger seats, in a mid-engine placement, is a massive 6.5-liter 12-cylinder powerplant. It is rated at 640 hp, and 486 lb.-ft. of torque. The power is sent through a 6-speed manual transmission, or Lamborghini's 6-speed automatic "e-gear" sequential transmission with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. To keep the power on the ground, all Murcilagos have a performance-oriented full-time AWD system. Under full throttle, the Murcilago LP640 coupe will rocket to 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds, on towards its top speed of 219 mph, according to Lamborghini. Even though it does weigh a bit more due to structural reinforcements, the Murcilago LP640 Roadster will mirror the speed of its sibling. The EPA has rated the Murcilago LP640 coupe and Roadster at 8 mpg city/13 mpg highway with a manual transmission. The sequential automatic transmission is rated at 9 mpg city/14 mpg highway.

All Murcilago LP640 models feature a race-bred lightweight independent suspension with electronically-controlled dampers. There are two springs on each rear wheel, and one on each front wheel. The standard wheels are 18-inch aluminum alloy with performance tires. Customers may also choose optional Pirelli race tires for track use. The Murcilago LP640 is equipped with generous disc brakes on all four corners. Composite ceramic brake rotors, to reduce weight and improve performance even further, are optional on the Murcilago.

Safety
All 2008 Lamborghini Murcilago LP640 models are built with sheet steel that has been glued, bonded and riveted to honeycombed carbon fiber. It is extremely strong and rigid, the company says, and designed to protect the occupants. In the event of an accident, both driver and passenger are also protected by frontal air bags and side air bags with head protection. Anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control, and an electronic stabilization program (ESP) are also standard on all models. All Murcilago LP640 coupes have twin automatically extending roll bars designed to deploy in just a few milliseconds if electronic controls detect a critical situation. As it is a low-production vehicle, there are no plans to crash test the 2008 Lamborghini Murcilago LP640 by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Technology
Proving that the shape of Lamborghini is dictated by function, the Italian automaker has fitted the Murcilago LP640 with several innovative aerodynamic systems to improve the vehicle's drag coefficient, increase stability on the road, and help feed more air to the cooling system. An active rear spoiler is designed to automatically rise to an angle of 70 degrees to increase downforce at high speeds, and flatten at lower speeds to reduce wind resistance. The exhaust has been incorporated cleanly into the rear diffuser and the side mirrors can tuck inwards to reduce drag. On the side of the Murcilago LP640 are large intake scoops that contain electric motors to automatically adjust their inlet size depending on the amount of cooling air needed by the engine.