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 FEATURE FACTfile - The new Batmobile from Lamborghini
With a maximum speed of 330 km/h and a 0-100 km/h figure of 3.8 seconds this car is truly worthy of Batman himself. Murcielago (pronounced 'moor-see-EL-ago') means 'bat' in Spanish and is named not after Adam West's character but after a particularly courageous bull whose life was spared by the famous matador Rafael Molina 'Lagartijo' in 1879. Lamborghini traditionally names its cars after bulls or people or things connected with bullfighting - Murcielago the bull was ultimately sold to the breeder Don Antonio Miura - inspiration for another Lamborghini model, and of course the Lamborghini symbol itself is a roaring bull. The Lamborghini Diablo had been in production since 1990 and it had been an open secret for a while that the company was working on a replacement. The takeover of Lamborghini by Audi in 1998 put project L147 on hold for a short time and ultimately changed its direction. Lamborghini are at pains to point out that the car is Italian in inspiration and not German, although the final design settled upon by the company was by Audi designer Luc Donckerwolcke in preference to designs submitted by Bertone, IDEA and Heuliez. 
I'd still like it in black
The car follows the traditional Lamborghini layout - a 2-seater 2-door coupe with gull-wing doors and a mid-mounted engine, giving optimal weight distribution (42% front and 58% rear) and in turn producing much better traction, braking and handling characteristics, along with permanent 4 wheel drive. In addition the body is made of carbon fibre (apart from the steel roof and door panels) which gives greater torsional rigidity - this means improved suspension behaviour and handling which translates into greater driving comfort and noticeable reduction in interior noise levels. The engine is a monster and is of course an improvement on the Diablo engine. It keeps the same basic configuration - a V12 dohc - but bumps up displacement from 5992cc (Diablo VT) to 6192cc by increasing the stroke and lowering the engine by 50mm by changing the engine to dry sump lubrication. Power goes up from 525bhp (405kW) to 580bhp (426kW) at 7500rpm. Torque delivery is optimised across the entire operating band - even at engine speeds relatively low for a sports car - thanks to the variable geometry intake system (VIS), variable valve timing (VVT) on inlet and exhaust camshafts and the 'drive-by-wire' electronic throttle control, which helps reduce emissions and improve idle speed control and driveability. 
All aluminium V12 580bhp. Enough said.
Another innovation is the Variable Airflow Cooling System (VACS). Cooling such a huge engine would normally require huge air intakes to provide for extreme operating conditions (eg very high external air temperature) which are only very occasionally encountered. Such large air intakes adversely affect car aerodynamics and so performance. VACS allows the air intakes to be altered to suit driving conditions - either manually, or automatically in response to engine coolant/external air temperature (like the rear spoiler). These VACS wings will probably become the hallmark of the Murcielago. 
with wings
There are other 'firsts' in the Murcielago - it is the first 6-speed model and Lamborghini's traditional heavy clutch is eased with the introduction of a 'slave cylinder' system. Lamborghini have also ensured that the Murcielago complies with all new safety standards. The advanced braking system uses 4 disk brakes with ABS and a TRW antilock braking system. An electro-hydraulic control unit calculates the speed and acceleration of each wheel and when it detects slip on any wheel it changes brake fluid pressure to give maximum braking force on that wheel. And if there is an impact the car has 2 airbags - a 60 litre driver's side and a 130 litre passenger side bag. 
The pilot seat
Audi's injection of money into Lamborghini has ensured that the development of the Murcielago has not been compromised in any way - 16 prototypes have been put through their paces compared to only 5 Diablo prototypes and Audi have given access to their test facilities and the Nurburgring and Imola racing circuits for testing. In the flesh the car is squat and mean and looks bulkier and more muscular alongside the Diablo (Lamborghini claim a Cx drag coefficient of .33-.36 depending on VACS deployment). The Murcielago was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September this year and cars are already rolling out of the factory. With Lamborghini you cannot really use the term 'production line' - each car is hand built entirely in the factory - even down to making and stitching the seats and upholstery from materials chosen by the buyer. At the moment production is left-hand drive only - right-hand driver production is due to start in early January 2002 with the Murcielago scheduled to make its debut in Australia at the Melbourne Motor Show in late February. There are 17 Murcielagos on order for Australia and if you are interested in buying one prepare to part with 'something under $600,000 AUD'. ItalianCar will be organising a test drive just as soon as we can come up with the money... 
I'd still like it in black
© italiancar.com.au 24/11/01
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