Murciélago LP670-4 SV first road test
Apr 23, 2009 | 01:33 AM
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Murciélago LP670-4 SV first road test
By Autocar:
What is it?
You are looking at the ultimate version of one of the world’s ultimate supercars, essentially a lighter, faster, more mental version of the already deeply unhinged Murcielago LP640. A proper wild monster it is, too.
Lamborghini’s mission statement over the next few years is to make cars that are lighter, simpler and more faithful to the original core philosophy, so while the styling and performance of the SV are all extremely well and good, what’s most impressive of all about this car is how little it weighs considering how big it is.
Lambo’s engineers looked at every area of the SV to work out how they could shave kilograms, and in the engine bay alone they managed to remove 33kg, mainly by fitting a smaller exhaust and redesigning various aspects of the transmission.
The key thing is, this is where Lamborghini is heading in years to come. Removing weight and improving efficiency – and at the same time reducing emissions – is what will keep the cars relevant and desirable in the future, claim the thinkers at Sant Agata. It’s a simple idea but one that’s extremely hard to disagree with.
Headline stats are not hard to come by with the SV. It weighs 100kg less than the LP640, its V12 engine develops another 29bhp, taking it to 663bhp at 8000rpm in total (a McLaren F1 had 'just' 627bhp when it rewrote the supercar rulebook 15 years ago). Its bodyshell and suspension have also been extensively reworked to help it produce more grip, both mechanically and aerodynamically. It costs, wait for it, a cool 300,000 euros – approximately £275,000 at today’s exchange rate.
What’s it like?
According to Lamborghini the SV will hit 62mph in 3.2sec and 100mph in under seven seconds, going on to reach a top speed of 212mph if you can find the space and have the required size undercarriage to keep your foot planted as the thing starts to oscillate beyond 200mph. I bailed out at just over 206mph, but then the car I drove didn’t have quite the right rear wing fitted for all-out assaults on the sound barrier.
Instead it had what Lamborghini calls the new ‘Aeropack wing’ which dramatically improves high speed stability but also pinches the top speed to a piffling 209mph. Either way, the mighty new SV is genuinely as quick and as barking to drive as it is to look at. It could even be the most exciting supercar this particular author has ever driven, although maybe – just possibly – it’s still not quite up there with the Ferrari F40. Which is not exactly poor company to be keeping.
What defines the SV dynamically is its more extreme personality, and in the end that’s basically what you’re paying for; a more committed experience in every dimension compared with the not exactly boring LP640.
Just 350 will be made by the factory at Sant Agata, the vast majority of which will go to the United States. Only a handful will make it to the UK.
On the road it feels very big, very fast, very intimidating and very special. The noise is quite nuts, even at low speeds, while the ride isn’t exactly what you’d call smooth. It feels like a car that’s been released into the world, having driven straight out of the pit complex at Le Mans.
Having said that, the lack of weight does make a huge and very positive difference to its responses, be that on road or track. It feels agile and alert in a way that the regular LP640 could never replicate. And the steering and brakes are just delicious, as good as anything you’ll ever come across in a road car.
Should I buy one?
For 350 very lucky people the SV is going to satisfy on a level that’s not available from many other car makers, not at any price. And the great thing is, this is just the beginning of a brave new era at Lamborghini.
It’s a fantastically extreme car for amazingly rich and rare occasions – right now there is nothing else quite like it. If this is the way forward for Lamborghini, the future looks very bright indeed. And that’s before you even mention the soundtrack.
Lamborghini Murciélago SV Coupe - Road Test First Drive - Autocar.co.uk
What is it?
You are looking at the ultimate version of one of the world’s ultimate supercars, essentially a lighter, faster, more mental version of the already deeply unhinged Murcielago LP640. A proper wild monster it is, too.
Lamborghini’s mission statement over the next few years is to make cars that are lighter, simpler and more faithful to the original core philosophy, so while the styling and performance of the SV are all extremely well and good, what’s most impressive of all about this car is how little it weighs considering how big it is.
Lambo’s engineers looked at every area of the SV to work out how they could shave kilograms, and in the engine bay alone they managed to remove 33kg, mainly by fitting a smaller exhaust and redesigning various aspects of the transmission.
The key thing is, this is where Lamborghini is heading in years to come. Removing weight and improving efficiency – and at the same time reducing emissions – is what will keep the cars relevant and desirable in the future, claim the thinkers at Sant Agata. It’s a simple idea but one that’s extremely hard to disagree with.
Headline stats are not hard to come by with the SV. It weighs 100kg less than the LP640, its V12 engine develops another 29bhp, taking it to 663bhp at 8000rpm in total (a McLaren F1 had 'just' 627bhp when it rewrote the supercar rulebook 15 years ago). Its bodyshell and suspension have also been extensively reworked to help it produce more grip, both mechanically and aerodynamically. It costs, wait for it, a cool 300,000 euros – approximately £275,000 at today’s exchange rate.
What’s it like?
According to Lamborghini the SV will hit 62mph in 3.2sec and 100mph in under seven seconds, going on to reach a top speed of 212mph if you can find the space and have the required size undercarriage to keep your foot planted as the thing starts to oscillate beyond 200mph. I bailed out at just over 206mph, but then the car I drove didn’t have quite the right rear wing fitted for all-out assaults on the sound barrier.
Instead it had what Lamborghini calls the new ‘Aeropack wing’ which dramatically improves high speed stability but also pinches the top speed to a piffling 209mph. Either way, the mighty new SV is genuinely as quick and as barking to drive as it is to look at. It could even be the most exciting supercar this particular author has ever driven, although maybe – just possibly – it’s still not quite up there with the Ferrari F40. Which is not exactly poor company to be keeping.
What defines the SV dynamically is its more extreme personality, and in the end that’s basically what you’re paying for; a more committed experience in every dimension compared with the not exactly boring LP640.
Just 350 will be made by the factory at Sant Agata, the vast majority of which will go to the United States. Only a handful will make it to the UK.
On the road it feels very big, very fast, very intimidating and very special. The noise is quite nuts, even at low speeds, while the ride isn’t exactly what you’d call smooth. It feels like a car that’s been released into the world, having driven straight out of the pit complex at Le Mans.
Having said that, the lack of weight does make a huge and very positive difference to its responses, be that on road or track. It feels agile and alert in a way that the regular LP640 could never replicate. And the steering and brakes are just delicious, as good as anything you’ll ever come across in a road car.
Should I buy one?
For 350 very lucky people the SV is going to satisfy on a level that’s not available from many other car makers, not at any price. And the great thing is, this is just the beginning of a brave new era at Lamborghini.
It’s a fantastically extreme car for amazingly rich and rare occasions – right now there is nothing else quite like it. If this is the way forward for Lamborghini, the future looks very bright indeed. And that’s before you even mention the soundtrack.
Lamborghini Murciélago SV Coupe - Road Test First Drive - Autocar.co.uk
Last edited by D55L; Apr 23, 2009 at 01:53 AM.
