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Introduction
Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 – First Drive: Inches from my head, screaming from within its carbon fiber encased lair, the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster’s stunning V-12 bellows as a I repeatedly smack the right paddle shifter and rocket well into triple-digit territory. This is the money shot, the one chance I’m willing to take with my driver’s license in this glowing orange Italian sampling of supercar engineering, my one thrill ride into warp drive and blurred vision with one of the fastest automobiles on the planet. It is a glorious experience, as unforgettable as any worthy first time, a dangerous narcotic for addicted speed junkies, and highly recommended if you have the means.
The Basics: Origins
Ferruccio Lamborghini made his fortune making tractors and heating equipment. In 1962, he bought a factory in Sant’Agata, Italy, hired an engineer to spearhead design and development of a new sports car, and debuted his first prototype at the Turin Auto Show in November of 1963. The production Lamborghini 350 GT debuted in 1964 at Geneva, but it was the timeless Muira and unforgettable Countach that cemented Lamborghini in the annals of exotic car history. The Countach was also the first Lambo to wear the LP designation – in Italian, longitudinale posteriore – followed by digits representing engine displacement. On the Murcielago, the numbers refer to horsepower.
The Basics: Model Mix
Lamborghini offers the Murcielago LP640 in coupe and roadster formats, the latter equipped with nothing more than a temporary tonneau for the rare occasions that the owner has the car out during inclement weather. Each Murcielago can be custom tailored to help ensure that no two cars are exactly alike, thereby guaranteeing exclusivity. At the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, Lamborghini debuted a Versace edition of the LP640 to the North American press, decked out with special white paint, unique trim patterns, a lovely watch, and handsome fitted luggage.
The Basics: Pricing
Our Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster carried a base price of $351,700 including the $1,300 destination charge and $5,400 in gas-guzzler taxes. To that, more than $50,000 in options was added to bring the final tally to $404,835. Hermera alloy wheels, carbon fiber trim, ceramic brakes, and the E-gear transmission accounted for the bulk of the extra cost.
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