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Lambo to mark founder's birth with limited-run supercar in Geneva
Tue, Dec 1 2015Lamborghini has something special planned for the Geneva Motor Show in March. That much we knew already, but now new details have come to light. They look rather promising, if you're into the whole limited-edition supercar thing. Contrary to prior expectations, Sant'Agata's latest won't be a one-off concept like the Egoista or the Aventador J, but will be produced in a limited run of 20 examples. In that respect it looks poised to follow in the footsteps of the Veneno and Sesto Elemento. The model is tipped to be called the Centenario, and will be presented on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini's birth. The tractor mogul turned supercar-maker was born on April 28, 1916, and died on February 20, 1993, at the age of 76, leaving behind him quite a legacy – and a company that has changed hands more times than an aging baseball player. According to Auto Express, which spoke with Lambo CEO Stephan Winkelmann recently about the project, the Centanario (or whatever it's ultimately called) will wear much more subtle bodywork than extreme creations like the Veneno. That could appear more in line with the styling of the Asterion concept showcased last year in Paris. It may also feature some manner of hybrid powertrain, but will likely adopt the 6.5-liter V12 from the Aventador in some state of tune.
Lamborghini Urus to get twin-turbo V8
Tue, Dec 1 2015The Lamborghini Urus won't use one of the Italian supercar brand's familiar V10 or V12 engines upon its arrival around 2018, but will instead pack a Lambo-exclusive twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. Company boss Stephan Winkelmann and research chief Maurizio Reggiani confirmed the powerplant selection to Autocar, which verified earlier rumors. The choice of turbocharging rather than the brand's usual naturally aspirated mills comes returns lower carbon dioxide emissions and a greater breadth of torque from the powerband. Even if Urus owners never take the CUV off-road, Lamborghini's engineers want it to be possible. They feel that significant grunt at low revs is necessary for the vehicle to excel in the dirt, and the company only plans to offer the Urus with all-wheel drive. Winkelmann also promises the model to live up to the automaker's huge performance reputation. "This engine is not used by anybody else, only for Lamborghini. To be the most powerful in the class it must have something that is dedicated to our brand," he said to Autocar. For buyers looking for even more exclusivity from their Lamborghini crossover, the company could offer multiple variations of the Urus after the initial launch. Winkelmann re-confirmed to Autocar that both a plug-in hybrid version and high-performance Superveloce are under consideration; there also could be a luxury-focused edition. The company hasn't signed off on any of these yet, though. Lamborghini will build the Urus in a new factory near its headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognese, and the brand will hope to deliver around 3,000 of them annually. Expect the final model to look like an evolved version of the earlier concept. Autocar claims prices for the UK market similar to the Aventador, which starts at around $400,000 in the US. Related Video:
Lamborghini Miura from 'The Italian Job' is for sale
Wed, Nov 25 2015Just one month ago we posted on "The Ultimate Lamborghini Miura" going up for sale, a 1968 Miura that had been turned into a built-to-race Miura Jota. This one might be even better, and it is certainly more famous: the 1968 Miura P400 from the opening scene of the movie The Italian Job. Two Miuras were used in that opening scene and some aren't sure that this is one of the actual movie cars, but most sleuths believe it is – and the story of its history since filming is so wild, it could have come from the movie. Iain Tyrell, the owner of Cheshire Classic Cars in England, said he received a tip last Christmas that the Miura was in Paris. The coupe's owner led him to a secret, underground parking garage and gave him three hours to verify that it was indeed from The Italian Job, a challenging task since no one knew what happened to the car since Paramount Pictures returned it to Lamborghini at the end of filming in 1968. It seems that Lamborghini sold the Arancia-colored coupe to an Italian dealer, and it had four owners up to 2005 when Norbetto Ferretti bought it. Ferretti is not only one of the founders of the Ferretti shipbuilding group, he is the son of the dealer who bought the Miura from Paramount after the movie - and neither Ferretti nor any of the car's previous owners realized it. Octane magazine ran a 15-page feature in its March issue with all the forensic details matching this car to the movie car, however, even the magazine says it can't be sure. A different classic car broker recently put it up for sale, but that broker still doesn't believe it's the movie car. Top Gear called the film car "the coolest car in the world" in 2004, and if it is the real deal it's said to be worth more than one million pounds, or $1.5M US. Tyrell and his partner Keith Ashworth have listed the car for sale, the price "POA," which means "price on application" in UK-speak. In layman's terms that means, "Bring money." In the video below you can see the star of the show in the movie's opening scene. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.
1990 Lamborghini LM002 roars into Jay Leno's Garage
Mon, Nov 23 2015High-performance SUVs have become fairly common in recent years, with vehicles like the Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR, Mercedes-AMG G65, and plenty of others to fill the niche. However, the Lamborghini LM002 was arguably the segment's pioneer when it debuted decades ago. Jay Leno welcomes one of these Italian beasts into his garage in a new video, and this thing is fascinating to see on the road. The LM002 is a wonderfully incongruous vehicle. The exterior has a brutish collection of chiseled features, but there's a high-output 5.2-liter V12 from the Countach under the hood. Leno says that the "Rambo Lambo" sounds "like an Italian opera," and he lets the big engine sing several times during the clip. Leno praises the way the Lambo drives, but the LM002 ownership experience sounds difficult. According to guest Damiano Barbuscia, replacement tires are eye-wateringly expensive, and the V12 gulps down fuel. The high price is likely worth it for this SUV's charisma on the road – see for yourself in the latest from Jay Leno's Garage.
Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2 is a purist's RWD, 571-hp dream
Tue, Nov 17 2015Purists rejoice: Lamborghini has revealed the new Huracan LP580-2, ditching the all-wheel drive system for a rear-drive setup and a slight decrease in power. Like the previous Gallardo LP550-2 (and Balboni edition) before it, the Huracan LP580-2 is based on the same technologies as the LP610-4 coupe and Spyder. Instead of 602 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, it produces 571 hp and 398 lb-ft to the rear wheels through the same seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Some might balk at the lack of availability of a manual transmission, but Lamborghini figures few (if any) would have ordered one that way at any rate. What the new setup means is more tail-happy handling, which the engineers in Sant'Agata have only encouraged that through specific tuning of the electronic systems. Equally as important is a lower dry weight of 3,062 pounds – 73 fewer than the all-wheel-drive coupe. To set the rear-drive version apart from its AWD counterpart, Lamborghini has restyled the front and rear ends and anchored it to the road on staggered 19-inch wheels coated in Pirelli PZero rubber. Aluminum calipers grip steel (instead of carbon-ceramic) rotors to keep it all in check. In measurable terms, that all comes down to a 0-62 time quoted at 3.4 seconds and a top speed at 199 miles per hour - respectively 0.2 seconds and 3 mph slower than the LP610-4. But the LP580-2 isn't about outright pace or bragging rights. Those are best left to the more potent and grippy model, and to the yet more powerful versions that are sure to follow. In the meantime, we can look forward to the getting a closer look at the latest version of the Huracan in the flesh at the LA Auto Show. Related Video: The rear-wheel drive Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2: the essence of driving fun - New dynamic design of front and rear - Designed and engineered to provide perfect rear-wheel driving fun - Weight reduction with recalibrated power management for highly-involving driver experience - 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds, top speed of 320 km/h Sant'Agata Bolognese/LA, 17 November 2015 – Automobili Lamborghini presents the Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2: a two-wheel drive version of the Huracan coupe. Specifically designed and engineered for its rear-wheel drive set-up, the Huracan LP 580-2's combines dynamic new looks with a package for an enhanced Lamborghini driving emotion.
$100,000 reward offered to help recover stolen Lamborghini
Wed, Nov 11 2015Have you seen this Lamborghini? If so, Pinkerton wants to hear from you. And if your information leads to the recovery of the vehicle in question, the private detective agency could give you a reward of $100,000. According to Pinkerton, the white 2015 Lamborghini Aventador roadster was stolen in New York on October 28. It was last seen at the corner of Fowler Road and College Point Boulevard in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens, but the agency says it could have been spirited away to Atlanta – or even sent overseas. Pinkerton is asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of this vehicle to call 1-800-478-3403. The $100,000 reward being offered in exchange amounts to less than a quarter of the vehicle's $440k purchase price – which is what the insurance agency would surely have to pay out if the vehicle is not recovered. Pinkerton Offers $100,000 Reward For Tips That Lead To The Recovery Of A Stolen 2015 Lamborghini Aventador Convertible UPDATE: Theft Tied to Persons in Atlanta, Georgia NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Pinkerton today announces it is offering a $100,000 reward for tips that lead to the recovery of a white 2015 Lamborghini Aventador Convertible, stolen on October 28th. The vehicle was last seen at the intersection of Fowler Road and College Point Boulevard in Flushing New York. Although the vehicle was last spotted in New York City, it is suspected that there are ties to persons in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Investigators believe the Lamborghini could be in the New York area, ready for shipment overseas, or in metro Atlanta. Anyone with information on the location of the stolen Lamborghini is asked to call 1-(800)-478-3403. Related Video:
Lamborghini Huracan gets incremental upgrades for 2016
Mon, Nov 9 2015Lamborghini is rolling out a series of upgrades for the Huracan. And minor as most of them may be, they'll likely only further the desire among enthusiasts to get behind the wheel. Chief among the enhancements is a new cylinder deactivation system system that drops from ten cylinders to five under light loads. Lamborghini refers to it as the first such system to be implemented on a naturally aspirated V10, though it should be noted that is corporate cousin – the Audi R8 – incorporates a similar setup. Apart from selectively shutting down one of its cylinder banks, the 2016 Huracan benefits from a retuned all-wheel-drive system that promises "a neutral and even more improved driving behavior." The rest principally comes down to trim, including matt-black air vents and more leather inside, along with available cruise control and other convenience features. There's a new ten-speaker Sensonum audio system available, along with the global rollout of the optional sports exhaust, and an extension of the Ad Personal personalization catalog. Finally, buyers will also be able to show off even more than before with new carbon-fiber engine bay trim, a transparent cover, and even LED lighting. Although the options stand to inflate the price significantly, the base price with all of the standard upgrades remains the same. They're being applied to both the coupe and the recently revealed Spyder for the new model year. The Raging Bull marque is also tipped to be preparing a new rear-drive version that's expected to be unveiled later this month in Los Angeles. Related Video: Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4: Model Year 2016 Product Updates Sant'Agata Bolognese, 06 November 2015 -- Following its successful market introduction in 2014 the Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 is now available to order with a number of updates. The new contents focus on efficiency, drivability and luxury and are already available with the 2016 model year. The price of the Huracan LP 610-4 remains unchanged at 169.500 Euros + tax. As standard, both the Huracan coupe and newly-launched Spyder version include cylinder deactivation to improve engine efficiency; the first time this function is included in a naturally aspirated V10 engine. When full engine capacity is not required, five of the ten cylinders are temporarily deactivated by switching off one cylinder bank.
Rear-wheel-drive Lamborghini Huracan coming to LA
Sat, Nov 7 2015We've got an invite to attend a "Lamborghini global product debut" in Los Angeles, and if an Autocar report is legit, it looks like that new car will be a rear-wheel-drive version of the Huracan. Despite touting all-wheel drive across its model range, Lamborghini did offer a rear-drive version of the Gallardo – the Huracan's predecessor – so a two-wheel-drive version of the new car makes a whole lot of sense. Autocar believes the RWD Huracan will be a lighter, more hardcore version of the already-good coupe. This new model is also tipped to be a limited-production car. The two-wheel-drive Gallardo was limited to just 250 units worldwide, and the same could be in store for this Huracan. Also, remember that Lamborghini does technically already make a rear-wheel-drive version of the Huracan: the LP 620-2 Super Trofeo racecar. What's more, Autocar says that Lamborghini could offer a rear-drive version of the topless Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder. Seems like an easy thing to do, especially if this RWD Huracan is, in fact, a more powerful, lightweight take on the entry-level Lambo. We'll know more during the Los Angeles Auto Show festivities, which kick off in just two weeks. Related Video:
Valentino Balboni thinks the Miura greatest Lambo ever
Fri, Oct 23 2015Valentino Balboni spent 40 years at Lamborghini, a few years as a mechanic's apprentice at the beginning, then as a test driver at the request of old man Ferrucio himself. He is embedded in the brand, said to have driven 80 percent of the company's entire production until he retired in 2009. He has ridden and tamed so many bulls that they named one after him, the 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni, and even made it rear-wheel drive because that's how he likes it. Balboni spoke to Road & Track in advance of an auction in New York on November 19 that will see a 1969 Miura P400S go on the block. A fixture from the days when mad men weren't merely characters on a television show, Balboni discusses taking customers for test drives, being sent on warranty calls, his favorite car, and why there will never be another one like it. Head over to RT to read the full interview from the man who helped make the original Countach, and therefore Lamborghini, what it is today. And in case you want in on the action, the pre-sale estimate for the centerpiece Miura is $800,000 to $1.6 million. Related Video:
Italian investigators search Lambo headquarters in VW probe
Thu, Oct 15 2015Italian investigators searched Lamborghini headquarters on Oct. 15 to look for evidence of managers' involvement in Volkswagen's emissions cheating. VW's main office in Verona was also inspected, according to Reuters. Lamborghini is owned by Volkswagen, and Lambo in turn is listed as the owner of VW Group Italia. Authorities wanted to find out if employees were conscious that the vehicles were skirting emissions rules. "It is one thing if I sell water and pretend it's wine, but if I sell water believing it is wine it's different." Verona chief prosecutor Mario Giulio Schinaia said to Reuters. Italian newspaper Gazetta del Sud reported that several managers in Italy were under investigation for alleged fraud. Prosecutors in Germany have also been rigorously investigating VW, and they recently staged a similar raid on the company's headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany. The automaker reportedly turned over documents and other data relating to the software defeat device. Meanwhile, VW's internal investigation has turned up little wrongdoing, though a recent leak suggested otherwise, and at least 30 managers could have known about the defeat device. The automaker has disputed that figure. Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn testified before Congress that he believed only a few individuals were involved. The situation hasn't been easy on VW in the US, either. The Department of Justice has also been pursuing an investigation into the automaker. Plus, state attorneys general are filing lawsuits against the company for defrauding customers. VW has until Nov. 20 to explain a repair for the problem to the California Air Resources Board. Related Video: