Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce

Motoring Channel Staff - 3/March/2009

Geneva, Switzerland – Bigger, badder, bolder - the latest raging bull has been let out of the pen and looks set to conquer arch-rivals Porsche and Ferrari with one fell swoop.

Launched at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, the new model will be sold in very limited numbers.

This ultra-hardcore 493 kilowatt 2-seater super-coupe could also be the Italian marque's last Murciélago, as a replacement for the eight-year-old design is expected at the turn of the decade.

Boasting a new look that takes inspiration from the ultra-rare Reventon Lamborghini (especially the front end), the new model is one of the quickest super cars in existence.

Lamborghini's thinkers wanted to create the lightest and most intense version of the Murciélago to date, and in doing so also brought back the famous SV nameplate.

"The new Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is the systematic continuation of our brand philosophy. It is more extreme and uncompromising than virtually any other automobile," says Stephan Winkelmann, the big boss 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," says Winkelmann of the V12 super car.

The SuperVeloce or SV moniker was last used on the 1995 Diablo SV and in this instance it pertains to the vehicle's increased performance via weight reduction processes - mainly via the use of carbon fibre materials - plus engine and aerodynamic body tweaks.

While the fettled engine outputs more power than the Murciélago LP 640 model, an impressive weight reduction of 100kg (220 lbs) will do more for the big Lambo's performance than any other aspect.

Carbon Fibre Diet

Lamborghini's spanner-men achieved the huge weight drop by augmenting the steel tubular frame with carbon fibre components, and even the transmission tunnel and the floor are made of carbon fiber. 

Sticking to this exotic carbon fibre diet, only the roof and door panels are made from steel - the rest of the cars body work is made from carbon composite materials. Lambo reckons this increases torsional rigidity as well as dropping weight by about 33kg.

Overall 33kg of ballast was removed from drivetrain and the Italian car maker says that 26kg of that was dispensed by using a new lightweight exhaust system, which makes the car sound like the 'trumpeting of mighty elephants' which rises 'to the roar of a raging lion'. It would be like driving around in a zoo.

Lastly, another 34kg was removed from the interior of the Lamborghini's 670-4 SuperVeloce. 

The door panels are clad in carbon fiber, as is the wide center tunnel and Lamborghini claims that 'the application of Alcantara instead of leather is another weight-saver' as are the new carbon fibre sports bucket seats.

12-Cylinder Power Core

It is unsurprisingly the Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is fitted with 245/35 ZR tyres at the front and ultra-wide 335/30 ZR Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres on its 18-inch rear wheels. 

With almost 500 kilowatts of high-revving power hitting the wheels it needs lots of rubber to get traction.

Powering the big Murch is a longitudinally mounted 6.5-litre V12 that outputs 493kW, or 670hp in the old money (and hence the 670 in the name) which is 22kW (30hp) more than previously.

Torque rises to 660Nm and Lamborghini says that an average piston speed of 23.7 meters per second is 'comparable to race engines'. Vital statistics are as follows:

Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Power: 493kW @ 8000rpm
Torque: 660Nm @ 6500rpm
Max Speed: 342km/h
0-100km/h: 3.2 seconds

Almost as fast as the Bugatti Veyron (which has previously been world champion of automotive excess), Lamborghini squeezed the extra chilli out of the engine by making a number of modifications, such as using a new exhaust system and modifying the intake system.

Lamborghini's engineers optimized the valve train and, most importantly, increased valve travel. Together with these changes, new fuel injection maps and electronics were developed - each cylinder bank even has its own processor chip. 

If the engine needs extra cooling at high revolutions or increased loads, intake funnels rise up from the rear pillars and when not in operation they lie flush with the body shell.

Lamborghini's Murciélago SV is equipped as standard with a sequential automated e.gear system, which uses electro-hydraulics to shift gears extremely quickly. Lamborghini also uses the word 'smoothly' in its press release, but we all know that's not true. 

There's a cockpit display that tells the driver which gear is engaged and a special "Corsa" mode and a "Low adherence" mode are selectable for race track and drag strip work. Lambo also offers the SuperVeloce Murciélago with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Supercar Chassis

In the past seven years, one of the most important aspects of the Murciélago's chassis has been its high traction all-wheel drive nature. This allows it rocket along at high velocities, both in a straight line and round corners.

Explosive dynamics, tenacious cornering and extreme speeds - the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is a super sports car packed with aggressive power. Its steering requires very little power support, giving full control of the car to the driver and with 'no hidden surprises and behavior that can always be anticipated' according to its Italian manufacturer.

The Murciélago is fitted with double wishbone suspension all round and comes with a clever lifting system that enables the front end of the vehicle to be raised by 45 mm (1.8 inches) to avoid obstacles such as garage entryways. 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.

The stoppers are big carbon ceramic items (CCB) that are cooled via ducts in the front apron and are claimed to deliver 'fade-free' performance.

Furthermore, the super sports car has been extensively redesigned with a new front and rear, plus an innovative engine hood and a choice of two aerodynamic set-ups featuring either a small or large rear spoiler.

Significantly modified aerodynamics give the car improved downforce and better vehicle stability at very high speeds and there are two spoiler options:

Small standard-fit rear spoiler: top speed 342km/h (212 mph)
Large optional Aeropack Wing: top speed 337km/h (209 mph)

While the Aeropack Wing reduces top speed slightly, it delivers increased downforce over the rear of the car, improving rear end grip at higher speeds which is ideal for acceleration and cornering grip.

Related Links:
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- Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster
- Lamborghini Murcielago (Road Test)
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