Monday, March 2, 2009

Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV makes Geneva Motor Show debut

Talk of a new, lightweight and high-power variant of the aging Lamborghini Murcielago dubbed the 'SuperVeloce', or SV, has been circulating the web for months now. Today, Lamborghini breathed life into the rumors, releasing full details and photos of the new Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce.
Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
The SV model extends the potency of the somewhat long-in-the-tooth soon-to-be-replaced Murcielago. To do so, Lamborghini has cut weight by 100kg (220lb) and boost power for a truly hardcore driving experience. The car will sport 670hp (500kW) and 487lb-ft (660Nm) from a 6.5L V12 engine that's 57lbs (26kg) lighter than the standard Murci V12. That's enough to deliver 0-60mph (96km/h) times of 3.2 seconds and top speeds of 212mph (342km/h).

Everything about the SV sets it up to be the most extreme Lamborghini ever. "The new Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 Super Veloce is the systematic continuation of our brand philosophy. It is more extreme and uncompromising than virtually any other automobile," says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

Harnessing all of that uncompromising power, the SV uses AWD to deliver power to the ground. Lamborghini's sequential six-speed automated manual 'e.gear' transmission is standard equipment, though a manual transmission is also available. Forged 18in wheels wrapped in 245 rubber up front and 335 rubber out back help keep the car stuck to the road under acceleration and cornering. The dynamic viscous center differential complements the front and rear limited-slip differentials, sending up to 35% of the engine's power to the front axle when the rears start to slip. Weight balance is a rear-biased 42/58, lending to excellent acceleration and braking performance.

The body work is reminiscent of the Gallardo Superleggera and Reventon, with common modern Lamborghini design cues shared among all three. Carbon fiber body panels wrapped over a tubular steel frame help cut weight while keeping a new steel formulation increased torsional rigidity by 12%, despite shaving 72lbs (33kg) from the frame and body. A choice of rear wings is available - the larger of which, dubbed the "Aeropack Wing", knocks top speed down from 212mph (342km/h) to 209mph (337km/h) but greatly enhances high-speed downforce.

Inside, the SV is features extensive use of Alcantara and carbon fiber, SV-badging all over the cockpit and a redesigned steering wheel. Seventy-five pounds (34kg) were saved in the cockpit alone, compared to a standard Murcielago.

Despite the light weight, fuel consumption figures are not for the faint of heat - not that anyone who owns one is likely to care. In the city, the LP6704 SV will get about 7.3mpg (32L/100km), while on the open road things will improve to 17mpg (13.7L/100km). The combined rating sits at 11.4mpg (20.6L/100km) for emissions of 480g/km.

Gallery: Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV


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