Lamborghini Presents All-New 700HP 6.5-liter V12 for Murcielago's Successor

Putting to rest the various rumors of the past few months, Lamborghini today announced that next year's Murcielago replacement will get an all-new V12 power plant matched to also new automated manual gearbox.

The new V12 engine was developed from a clean sheet of paper entirely in-house by Lamborghini at company headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognes. The goal was to create a higher-output yet lighter and with lower emissions replacement to the firm's venerable V12. The result is a 6.5-liter unit that tips the scales at just 235kg or 518 pounds, while producing an output of 700-horsepower at 8,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 690 Nm (479.4 lb-ft) at 5,500 rpm.

Lamborghini has not yet released full technical specs on the V12, but among the details announced are that the crankcase and the four-valve cylinder heads are made from aluminum-silicon alloy, and that the new exhaust system not only delivers the lowest emission levels, but also what the company describes as "a spine-tingling Lamborghini sound."

"This new power unit is not only the crowning glory of our product range, it is also part of our enormous investment in the future of the Lamborghini brand," says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

"With this new V12, we are heralding a technological leap that encompasses all areas of the company and our future model lineup. With a unique package of innovations, Lamborghini will redefine the future of the super sports car. This 700 hp engine, together with an all-new concept gearbox, will be the strong heart of the Murciélago successor next year."

Completing the powertrain setup is Sant'Agata's new "Lamborghini ISR" automated manual gearbox. It's a single clutch gearbox with Lamborghini claiming that it combines fast shift times – approximately 50 percent shorter than with a dual-clutch transmission – with the benefits of manual shifting when it comes to low weight and compact dimensions.

And if you're wondering, ISR is an acronym for Independent Shifting Rod. According to the company, instead of taking place in series like a conventional gearbox, shifting can occur virtually in parallel. While one shifting rod is moving out of one gear, the second shifting rod can already engage the next. Furthermore, Sant'Agata says the transmission weighs in at only 79 kilograms (174 pounds), making it considerably lighter than a comparable DSG transmission.

Both the new V12 engine and ISR gearbox will be manufactured at Lamborghini's headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognes. The Murcielago's replacement with the new powertrain will make its world premiere next year, most likely at the Geneva Salon in March.

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VIDEO: Lamborghini 560-4 Polizia Stradale Hitting it out at Monza

Youtube's Marchettino has some neat footage featuring one of two Gallardo 560-4s donated by Lamborghini to the Italian police (the other was totaled last year - see here). The cars were originally acquired in 2008 as replacements for the first two Gallardo police cars (donated in 2004), and their purpose is to rapidly transport organs and patrol high-risk sections of Italy's certain highways.

It's not every day that we get to see police rolling around in Lamborghinis, so when stuff like this pops up it's always a treat. Check out the vid below to see the 5-0 Lambo howling along in the rain at Monza with a handful of other exotics.

By Phil Alex

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Rumorville: Is Lamborghini Really Going to Revive the Rambo Lambo?

Here we go again; according to unconfirmed reports from the UK, Lamborghini is working on a spiritual successor to the LM002 aka Rambo Lambo – you know, the monstrous Italian SUV of the late 1980s, which used the Countach's 5.2-liter V12 and had a special place in the hearts of obscenely rich sheiks.

"Industry insiders" say that the new model will be based on the same platform as the Audi Q5 and Porsche's upcoming Cajun. Let me deviate right here, as this sounds more than a bit off.

The original LM002 measured 4.9 meters (192 inches) in length, but its bulky design made it seem a lot bigger. The Audi Q5 is 4.62 meters (182 inches) long and it shows, as it doesn't come anywhere near the Q7's presence. It really looks like a small SUV. No, a true successor has to be as off the charts as the original or even more. A bigger platform is a must. Strike one.

The same secret sources say that the new SUV – dubbed LM00X – will get a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, rated at around 550 hp. First of all, it would be awfully cramped under the bonnet. It also sounds like it would become the new entry-level Lamborghini, and seeing that even the Gallardo has a V10 engine, let me ask, why?

The LM002 was outrageous, partly due to the exotic engine choice – a noble V12. And if some sheik thought that it still wasn't the real deal, he could ask for a bigger, 7.0-liter marine V12, sourced from a Class 1 powerboat. So, hell no, a measly V8 won't do it. Strike two.

Last but not least, the magazine says that the LM00X will cost £100,000 or $160,690, when it will presumably hit the market in 2012. Again, let me get this straight. You once had a preposterous SUV, which cost and arm and a leg, and now you want to make its successor downright cheap (at least by Lamborghini standards). Why? Some of the previous clients might be still around, I say make them remember the good old days by giving them a worthy new LM002 and take their money. See, everybody is happy. That's a strike three in my opinion, but feel free to agree or disagree in the comments section below.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Auto Express

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Ahem... Porsche Boxster S Turned into Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster Replica

We can sorta, kinda, try to understand the reasoning behind the transformation of a Pontiac Fiero into a supercar replica, but what happens when someone decides to use a Porsche Boxster S as a base to create a... Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster? We'll agree that a 2000 Boxster S is light-years better than any MR2 or Fiero, but who in their right mind would actually turn a Porsche into a replica of any sorts? And talking about 'sanity' -or rather its absence- the asking price for this Italianized Porsche is $45,000. More photos after the jump.

Link: Greenwoodautos , Via: VWvortex

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