2002 - Lamborghini Murcielago on 2040-cars

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Lamborghini's Revuelto enjoys new high-tech build processes

Lamborghini exited the old age with a number of big bangs. The Aventador not only got an Ultimate special edition, but also a couple of one-offs with the Invencible and Autentica. The sold-out Huracan is rushing into the sunset in two directions, one on the road with the 60th Anniversary models, the other on the dirt with the sensational Sterrato. The brand with all the bull enters the new age with even more pop, attaching an electric motor to its hallmark V12, and remaking the Sant'Agata Bolognese factory that produces the hybrid V12 and the Revuelto two-door wrapped around it. In a video called "Building the Dream," various members of the Lamborghini family explain how the production process have improved so that everyone can ensure they're building a better car, better. A fair bit of the Manufattura Lamborghini story reminded us of Maserati's high-tec production overhaul at the Viale Ciro Menotti facility for the Nettuno V6 in the MC20. Computerized tools deliver repeatable build standards, the engine is built over a set of stations that include new seal testing and a final testing room, the transmission getting its own set of stations and build teams. There's also a sustainability story inside and outside, with new machines and software enabling more utilization of hides for interiors, CO2-neutral energy runs the plant, and not far away, there's a small forest with bee hives.   The most impressive bit might be the automaker saying the new setup increases the customization options. With Lamborghini building one-offs for clients, we didn't realize there was anything left to customize. The one line that stuck out to us was when Chief Manufacturing Officer Ranieri Niccoli said there's a new V12 assembly line "that in the future can accommodate different engines." That's called foreshadowing. While we wait to find out what that sentence could mean, grab some gelato and have a watch of the video above. Related Video This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Bertone's Lamborghini-V12-powered minivan was ahead of its time

PARIS — Italian design house Bertone traveled to the 1988 edition of the Turin auto show (which was still a big deal in the late 1980s) to unveil a Lamborghini-powered design study. This wasn't unusual, as the two companies had worked together for decades, but the Genesis concept turned every head in the convention center because it was a van. Now it's turning heads again this week at the Retromobile Show in Paris. Bertone's styling and prototype-building teams allegedly spent a total of 30,000 hours making the Genesis look more futuristic than the minivans many kids carpooled to school in during the late 1980s, and much sportier. It needed to tick both boxes. It was a concept car, so it had captivate the public's attention, and it was powered by a 455-horsepower, 5.2-liter V12 borrowed from the Countach Quattrovalvole, so looking the part was a must. The mighty, front-mid-mounted 12 channeled its power to the rear wheels through a rather lame three-speed automatic transmission provided by Chrysler, which owned Lamborghini at the time. Sliding doors gave the rear passengers access to one of the more unusual interiors we've seen. There were two front-facing seats positioned over the rear wheels, and a single rear-facing chair in the middle of the interior. The front passengers faced forward, as you'd expect, but they could also move their seat cushion around to look at the folks riding in the back. Someone still needed to drive, so this configuration was best used when parked. While naming the concept Genesis was a little bit optimistic on Bertone's part, putting a Lamborghini engine in a minivan with butterfly doors was a courageous move. It was ahead of its time, too, because blob-shaped vans are a dime a dozen at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and they're almost universally welcomed as the transportation of the future. Bertone may not have had autonomous technology to play with, but it had a V12. Related Video:     Featured Gallery 1988 Bertone Genesis at Retromobile 2020 View 9 Photos Auto News Lamborghini Minivan/Van Performance Classics

Lamborghini sends the Huracan off with the super-limited-edition STJ

Lamborghini bid farewell to the V12 a while back, and it’s now preparing to send off its iconic V10. The Huracan STJ will be a super-limited final edition car sporting LamboÂ’s naturally-aspirated V10 engine before itÂ’s replaced by a next-gen supercar with hybrid power later this year. The STJ, which stands for Super Trofeo Jota, gets the Huracan STOÂ’s 631-horsepower V10 with around 417 pound-feet of torque. LamborghiniÂ’s Squadra Corsa (racing team) helped develop the carÂ’s aero package, which includes a more steeply angled rear wing that ups downforce by 10 percent. More grip comes from racing-derived shocks with four-way adjustability that enables minute adjustments of rebound and compression. Specially-developed Bridgestone Potenza Race tires wrap 20-inch wheels with a super-sticky compound to keep the car planted on the road. Lamborghini said the upgrades help the STJ lap the Nardo Technical Center Handling Track more than a second faster than the Huracan STO. Two versions of the car are available. The first features Grigio Telesto (gray) paint and a black roof with red and white accents. Black Alcantara and leather upholstery with red stitching highlight the interior. The Blu Eliadi (blue) version also has a black roof with white and red accents. Each car gets a carbon fiber number plate with its place in the 10-unit run. The stark flashes of exterior color highlight the darker paint colors, giving the car an almost video-game-like cell-shaded look. Lamborghini hasnÂ’t detailed pricing for the car, but, as the saying goes, “if you have to ask.” It will almost certainly come at a higher price than the Huracan STO, which started in the mid-$300,000 range and could be optioned deep into the $400,000s. Of course, price likely doesnÂ’t matter for the STJ, because as these things go, itÂ’s probably already been sold out to exclusive Lambo buyers around the world.     Lamborghini Special and Limited Editions Performance Supercars