New Swiss Suit For An Exotic Italian

Motoring Channel Staff - 23/May/2006

"Racing car flair" is what BF Performance calls the overall style of it's modified Lamborghini, which is created by the extensive use of carbon fibre. And this racing car flair appears to struck a sweet spot with some elements of the European public, as readers of the German car magazine "Auto Zeitung" voted it in first place in the tuning models over €50,000 category in the magazine's "Auto Trophy".

And there's more positive feedback: at the 2006 Paris Tuning Show, the BF Performance Murciélago was voted "Car of the Show" by France's Channel Six.

The creative force behind this audacious Murciélago is BF Performance, a Swiss tuning company based in Zug which is south of Zurich.

But first thing's first. Before you can even contemplate one of these publicly-admired carbon fibre upgrades, it costs $599,943 for the base model Murciélago, which buys you two seats and woeful fuel economy. But that's what it costs for the entry level Murciélago here in Australia (and the roadster fetches up to $714,475).

And while the Lamborghini Murciélago - named after a bovine whose life was spared by a matador after a bull fight - may be an entirely impractical vehicle, it's an incredibly fast car featuring a 6.2-litre V12 engine, and wraps you up in the kind of Italian style that is to die for.

BF Performance only customises Lamborghinis, and in the instance of the 2006 BF Performance Murciélago, it's mostly an exercise in styling and improved aerodynamics than any great engine changes. But as you can see, it looks magnificent.

BF Performance explains that it does not touch the 6.2-litre 12-cylinder engine, but in order to match the sound to the visual appearance, it can offer the option of fitting a sports silencer with the original tailpipes or a competition exhaust for the racing circuit. It is also planning a carbon fibre air box upgrade, which would boost power somewhat.

Yet even in stock form, the angular Italian super car belts out 426kW 7500rpm and 650Nm @ 5400rpm via its 378 cubic inch engine, and with no help from forced induction. It has a top speed beyond 330km/h and can hit 100km/h from rest in 3.8 seconds, and features an enormous 100 litre fuel tank for grand touring duties.

The Swiss tuning group says that it's modifications to the highly desirable Lamborghini help to accentuate the sporty contours of the Murciélago, creating an even more powerful look as both the interior and exterior benefit from new styling elements.

At the front end, a carbon fibre front spoiler reduces the lift of the Italian bull, while at the rear end of the Murciélago, this task is performed by a deep diffuser system and an efficient rear deck spoiler of the same material. BF Performance adorns the sides with a pair of skirts and by simply fitting these five body-styling elements the overall look of the raging Bull brings it close to the FIA-GT motor sport Lamborghini.

Carbon fibre is liberally splashed across the visually appealing vehicle, where things like the exhaust tailpipe cover, headlight covers, boot lid and bonnet (with air scoop) are all made of the light weight material, and things like the transparent engine cover with glass inlay and the white indicator lights on the side help to finish off the powerful appearance of this 12-cylinder super car. All the carbon fibre components (including fitting) cost around €30,000 (A$51,000).

Carbon fibre also stimulates motor racing sensations on the inside with a 12-piece interior kit, says the Swiss tuning company. This 12-piece interior upgrade can be complemented by fitting new sports bucket seats and either 4 or 5 point safety harnesses for improved occupant safety. For those drivers who do not wish to sacrifice any luxury, BF Performance can also fit a multimedia system with a CD radio featuring a fold-out screen and changer, navigation computer, sound system and a rear-view camera to help prevent damage when parking and manoeuvering.

Topping off the car's sinister eye candy, BF Performance can also fit composite wheels available in 19-inch diameters: 245/30 R19 tyres up front and for the rear 355/25 R19 tyres, the latter of which feature a "deep-dish" alloy rim effect. BF Performance can also fit wheel spacers for drivers who find their super sports car too sluggish (which isn't unheard of), enabling the Murciélago to reach its threshold range much later. A positive visual side effect is that the wheels now sit flush with the body.

Chassis upgrades are also on the drawing board at BF Performance garages in Zug, which will eventually compromise a full sports suspension package to improve handling properties. And true to the motto "races are won on brakes", a sports braking system can also be ordered, which is composed of four massive 370mm diameter brake discs and 6-piston brake callipers, sports brake pads and reinforced brake lines from steel flex. Ceramic composite brakes can also be added, creating an even more responsive Lamborghini that looks - as the photos attest - incredible.