[Live image update] Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce unleashed
03/03/2009, 12:19 PM
By Nick Aziz
Lamborghini on Monday took the wraps off its LP 670-4 SuperVeloce — the fastest and most powerful model the company has ever made, and lightest Murcielago to date. Power comes from a 6.5 liter V12 delivering a whopping 670 horsepower. With a weight reduction of 220 lbs over the standard car, the LP 670-4 has a weight-to-power ratio of 5.1 pounds per horsepower. All of this means a zero to 62 mph time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 212 mph.
Lambo says it had to rework virtually every component of the car — from chassis to interior — in order to achieve the substantial weight savings. The increase in engine output from 640 to 670 hp is the result of optimized valve timing and a reworked intake system. The significantly modified aerodynamics with substantially increased downforce brings considerable improvement.
The Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is “more extreme and uncompromising than virtually any other automobile,” said Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “As the new top model of the highly successful Murciélago range, the SuperVeloce displays not only outstanding driving dynamics, it is also further evidence of our company’s technological expertise. Customers can look forward to an utterly unparalleled driving experience.”
When prototypes of the car were first spied, it was rumored Lamborghini would ditch the Murcielago’s all-wheel-drive system for a lighter rear-wheel-drive setup. As it turns out, that is not the case. Equipped with permanent AWD, the LP 670-4 can send up to 35 percent of driving force to the front wheels. The front and rear limited-slip differentials are set at 25 and 45 percent. This provides the car with the necessary traction for its massive output.
Engineers recalculated the framework and selected a new high-strength sectional steel for much of the structure. This achieves reduced weight (44 lbs) and improved torsional stiffness. The front fenders, rear fenders are made from carbon fiber. Lastly, the deployable spoiler has been replaced with a stationary wing. This brings a further weight reduction of 29 lbs.
The SuperVeloce is equipped with exclusive “Ares” alloy-forged wheels, bearing the exclusive five twin-spoke design. The front wheels are clad in 245/35 ZR 18 rubber, while the rears sport 335/30 ZR 18. High-grip Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires come as standard.
The Carbon Ceramic (CCB) brakes are fanned by air channeled through enlarged intakes in the bodyshell, while openings in the front fenders provide additional ventilation for the SuperVeloce. The ceramic discs are lightweight and fade-free, according to the automaker.
The car has a relatively extreme front-to-rear weight distribution. The rear axle bears 58 percent of its overall weight — a distribution ratio that Lamborghini says is highly beneficial to traction.
The interior has been simplified in order to save weight — 75 lbs to be exact. The dominating materials are Alcantara and carbon fiber. Not only the seats are upholstered in black Alcantara micro-fiber material, the cockpit and the roof lining are also finished in this lightweight material. If the bare-bones seats aren’t your thing, the Murciélago’s standard seats are also available on the SuperVeloce as an option free of charge.
03/02, 2:58 PM
posted by:
Car_Fanatic
A dirty XXX movie on 4 wheels. Need video now!!!
03/02, 3:01 PM
posted by:
Mo_par
Thank god the seat upgrade comes at no cost, now I can buy it with out remortgaging my home!
03/02, 3:02 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
GOD! that is one brutally mean looking car waiting to unleash all of its horses!!!
03/02, 3:05 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
That is pretty freaking awesome, just too bad about the Porsche-esque 42/58 weight distribution.
03/02, 3:07 PM
posted by:
zeegone
I can’t believe i’m saying this but I actually kind of like the very different looking rear wing. They did a good job of mixing the black materials on the lower parts with the painted ones. That rear diffuser is just mean-looin!
03/02, 3:09 PM
posted by:
shaver
“Most fastest, is my middle name.” Ricky Bobby
03/02, 3:18 PM
posted by:
Dante_JoseCuervo
O_O … I want… this car… *drools*
Lamborghini has done it again.
03/02, 3:33 PM
posted by:
scratchy
wtf is VW waiting for ? just put the Veyron engine in this already !
03/02, 3:41 PM
posted by:
SHOspeed
Totally aaaaaamazing! Its strange but I do love the rear spoiler, and I usually hate spoilers.
03/02, 4:10 PM
posted by:
jonmiles
I just came in my pants
03/02, 4:15 PM
posted by:
jonmiles
F3INT- there is nothing wrong with the wieght distribution on this car. what do you think the distribution changes to under hard braking into a corner?
03/02, 4:40 PM
posted by:
IGT
“most fastest “
03/02, 4:41 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Question -
Where could you drive this car in the public? I have never been to a city/town with perfectly flat roads with no potholes or just uneven asphalt. Even driving onto a driveway you’d take off the front end, causing 100k in damage. I never liked the unrealistic usability of these cars, it takes a ton of planning to just figure out where you can go without causing considerable damage to this car.
If it were my money, I’d take a R8 or Gallardo and just use the rest of the money to buy up car company or two. What’s GM trading at now? Under $2?
03/02, 5:35 PM
posted by:
atoms
I wonder if I can sue lamborghini for the price of my pants I just ruined
03/02, 5:45 PM
posted by:
Canadianinflames
I was thinking that too!!……… I got the deal worked out. My pants straight up for the car…… I’ll even pay shipping on the pants!
03/02, 6:20 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
JakeK66,
since you clearly havent driven any of the newer lambos, there a button that raises the front of the car to normal driving height to avoid speed bumps and to casually drive around town. If you drive it like a regular car, the nose stays raised. But, once you floor it, the front dips down again.
03/02, 6:22 PM
posted by:
Speeeed3Z
Heaven sent……
Finally a car that can keep up with Air Force One.
And come on Jake……..most people who own a car like this drive them once or twice a year. And they can most certainly afford the repair costs on one if they own it already. I think just once I’d have to dry through Santa Monica with Joe Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good To Me So Far” blasting through the windows. Your Maserati does 185, my Lambo does 212!!
03/02, 6:34 PM
posted by:
Jon Luc
No thanks! For that kind of money, I’d rather buy a condo in Barbados.
03/02, 7:59 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
idrinorbarsaku -
You’re right, I haven’t, but I have sat in a couple at the dealer next to my house and used the function you mentioned. They raise enough to not tear up the front end on normal Lambos, but this isn’t a normal Lambo, so I wonder still if it lifts enough… It doesn’t look too promising from these pics.
03/02, 8:50 PM
posted by:
Das Stig
This is the type of styling that the Murcielago deserved from the beginning. It’s absolutely mad and striking, especially that pseudo-Reventon front and the spoiler in the back. Judging by how they covered up the true styling of this car in the prototypes, they took a smart approach and now they’ve finally let it all out to the public. Stylingwise, this is probably one of the most beautiful cars I’ve seen along with that two tone color and those blacked out wheels. Great job Lamborghini.
I guess now it’s time to sell your LP640 and deposit some big cash on the SuperVeloce.
03/03, 12:04 AM
posted by:
Speeeed3Z
Jon Luc…..do you own a car?????
Dude you don’t feel like owning a car that’s cool with everyone else…more for us to gobble up. No hard feelings but damn, you don’t like the Zagato, you dont like this Lambo, what do you like?
It is a CAR forum by the way.
03/03, 12:05 AM
posted by:
MurcieMe
This is amazing. I love the design on the engine cover! I must be the only person in the world who doesn’t like unpainted carbon fiber though, I’d like it all in body colour. Not that I’d be picky!
03/03, 1:01 AM
posted by:
brocky
wow
03/03, 8:09 AM
posted by:
NismoSentraKen
===>>LOL Speeeed3Z you’re right
03/03, 12:22 PM
posted by:
zfenderguy
This car is so brutal. I feel like smashing my head through a wall in celebration of it’s brutality.
03/03, 1:01 PM
posted by:
JSurfer1451
I’ll that condo in Barbados with one of these in the driveway please.
03/03, 1:38 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
JonMiles – The distribution for the car may change radically when the brakes are aggressively applied but as anyone who has driven a Porsche would know (not a fan btw), that heavy rear distribution comes back around when exiting the corner and you are always having to keep it in line. A neutrally distributed and neutral handling car will be balanced upon corner exit and will not have that constant tendency to drift; it is merely a clashing of driving styles but I was just saying too bad because most people prefer a 50/50 or near 50/50 distribution. Also the Murcielago has always been very willing to spin out under hard cornering because of its bulk and its huge rear weight when compared to the Gallardo, the 220 pound reduction should help this but I’m not convinced it eliminates it, 42/58 cannot be hidden away.
03/03, 3:07 PM
posted by:
jmayhew
You could fit a baby in the tailpipe! Just wish it had more of the “look at me” stuff (like the massive SV lettering) on the side that the Diablo SV had.
PS-driving with a rear weight bias is a different style of driving. Break hard, enter corner, let weight shift from breaking into mid-corner drift, floor the gas, powerslide and down the straightaway you go. 50-50 is for weenies who use traction control on the track.
03/03, 4:17 PM
posted by:
Fahoody
It’s nice
03/03, 5:45 PM
posted by:
IGT
perhaps the only lambo I don’t care to own even if I had the money. The front just looks ridiculous….like its meant to be a bird trap
03/04, 2:28 AM
posted by:
acashshri
Brilliant..Penominal at it looks and stunningly pretty…..The power in it well set the road on fire…..
Its still shocking the reventons proce is 4 times more that this one…HOW IS THAT../???
03/04, 12:56 PM
posted by:
brianguy
I think I just wet myself
03/04, 1:41 PM
posted by:
jonmiles
Seriously, Jon Luc, if you don’t lust after cars like this, then maybe you shouldn’t be on an internet car forum.
03/08, 1:07 AM
posted by:
acashshri
Therz one thing…the spoiler is Ugly…
03/11, 3:44 AM
posted by:
Lawnchair88
Paint scheme ripoff of a very successful racing team. Tisk tisk boys…
03/12, 6:26 PM
posted by:
ionutAb
looks better than sex
03/24, 5:49 PM
posted by:
LamboLover01
Absolutely awsome. Lamborghini did a beautiful job an this one. Lets see Ferrari and Porshe compete with that!
03/24, 5:51 PM
posted by:
LamboLover01
And by the way IGT, you know absolutely nothing
03/24, 6:58 PM
posted by:
andy771
A real monster. Hopefully one day “oneluckyeuro” will put one as prize ! Whats better ? Maserati or Lambo?
03/28, 7:55 PM
posted by:
chimbo594
i would live in a cardboard box to buy that! then id live in the lambo cause who wants to sleep in a box? plus you dont want it stolen right?
04/02, 6:33 AM
posted by:
andy771
Chimbo,
nice point of view ! LOL
04/14, 2:09 AM
posted by:
a5forlife
BEAUTIFUL!
where could i pick one up?