2008 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Coupe

The Bull Runs Rampant

The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Coupe's extreme styling and outrageous performance make it the center of attention at any speed.

The Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Coupe is not a subtle vehicle. Its wild appearance turns heads everywhere, and its brute force and excellent handling put it near the top of the super car food chain.

In the LP640 designation, “LP” stands for longitudinale posteriore, an Italian phrase that means the vehicle’s massive V12 engine is laid out north-south behind the cockpit. The “640” denotes the amazing 640 horsepower that engine produces.

Owners can show off the heart of their beast with an optional clear engine cover. Arch-rival Ferrari has offered similar transparent paneling as standard equipment on its mid-engine models for more than two decades.

A more-aggressive front bumper with reshaped air intakes and a large spoiler underneath distinguish the LP640 Coupe from the previous Murciélago. A redesigned rear diffuser encompasses twin exhaust pipes and keeps the vehicle stable at high speed.

The Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Coupe has an extra intake just ahead of the driver’s-side rear wheel that channels cool air to the oil radiator. The 18-inch wheels are wrapped in performance tires. Racing tires are optional.

Like its predecessor, the Murciélago LP640 Coupe has a permanent all-wheel-drive system with electronic traction control. All-wheel-drive doesn’t just improve performance, it is essential to keep this high-powered monster under control. Under normal conditions, 70 percent of the engine’s power is sent to the rear wheels. Up to 100 percent of the drive force can be sent to the front or rear axles for maximum performance.

The Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Coupe has an electronically controlled adaptive suspension and six-speed manual transmission linked to a stronger rear differential and beefed-up axles. An automatic transmission that can be shifted manually, which Lamborghini calls “E-gear,” is optional. It offers a sport mode for split-second gear changes.

Massive brake discs — the front ones are roughly 15 inches in diameter — quickly slow the Murciélago down from any speed. Thicker carbon-ceramic brake discs are optional and designed to reduce brake fade, which is when brakes become less effective as the discs overheat from heavy use, such as on a racetrack.

Like the previous model, the Murciélago LP640 Coupe features exotic carbon-fiber body panels, a steel roof and doors that scissor open in signature Lamborghini style.

The seats in the Murciélago LP640 Coupe have been redesigned for comfort and increased headroom. They incorporate quilted leather upholstery, as do the door inserts and ceiling. All Lamborghini cockpits can be customized with carbon-fiber trim as well as other special materials and finishes.

Is the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Coupe for You?

Buy the Murciélago LP640 Coupe if	You’re an attention-seeker and a would-be race-car driver.
Keep Looking if	You’d rather use the money to buy a house; you prefer styling that whispers instead of shouts.
Who Fits?	The scissor-action doors look cool and ease the difficult ingress and egress. The interior is surprisingly accommodating for a two-seater, though there’s little room for belongings.
Closest Competitors	Aston Martin DBS Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster Spyker C12 Laturbie
Did You Know?	Most Lamborghinis, including the Murciélago, are named after Spanish fighting bulls or their breeders. Murciélago was a legendary bull whose life was spared, as the story goes, after valiantly standing up to 24 jabs of a matador’s sword in 1879. The bull was given to a breeder and his descendants are said to be fighting in the ring to this day.