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Light, But Faster Lamborghini
January 30th, 2010 / 1 Comment » / by admin
Lamborghini’s drivetrain wizards say they have all the horsepower they need for their superfast cars. So from here on, performance gains will come from using lighter materials to reduce vehicle weight, instead of from chasing more engine thrust.
“It has come to the point where acceleration equals consumption,” said Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of the Italian automaker. “More consumption means increased CO2 emissions.”
Winkelmann, who fears future government regulations could restrict engine performance, said Lamborghini’s r&d spending will emphasize taking weight out of vehicles.
The pursuit of top speed is limited by the physics of aerodynamic resistance, Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini’s r&d chief, said in an interview this month at the Detroit auto show. Once a vehicle reaches 211 mph, there is a declining rate of return for each additional horsepower needed to push the vehicle faster, he said.
Also, there are few places in the world where a driver can go that fast. So Reggiani said Lamborghini will focus on acceleration instead of top speed. The most effective way to do that, he said: take weight out of the car.
“The weight-to-power ratio will be the key factor,” Reggiani said. “We will use composite materials in the right place, when it also has the right cost, stiffness and mechanical characteristics.”
That could prove to be an expensive solution. Lamborghini has used mostly high-strength steel in its vehicles’ structures and body panels. But Reggiani said the automaker will make greater use of aluminum and carbon fiber.
Lamborghini has made progress with its re-engineered Murcielago LP670-4 SV. The new version of the car has added 30 hp while shedding 220 pounds, mostly through use of carbon fiber. The “670″ in the car’s name reflects its horsepower rating. The car can reach 62 mph in 3.2 seconds.
“No one can really tell 30 horsepower was added, but everyone can feel how much lighter the car is,” Reggiani said.
Lamborghini also is investigating start-stop technology for city driving to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. But with a V-10 or V-12 engine, the firing order is faster than a typical four-cylinder with start-stop.
As a result, Reggiani said, missing a cylinder or two on vehicle restart could cause more pollution than not having the technology at all. The same theory applies to cylinder deactivation at cruising speeds.
“Where is the supplier who can provide the right starter and alternator for our engine?” Reggiani asked. “That’s a lot of cylinders. It’s easy to make a mistake.”
The Collezione Automobili Lamborghini is ready for Christmas
December 22nd, 2008 / 1 Comment » / by admin
If celebrating Christmas ‘fast’ is your style, then Lamborghini’s range of 2008 baubles, bears, candles and cushions are now available, in the special matt black and white colours launched this year on its new 202 mph Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4.
Lamborghini planning RWD versions of Gallardo, Murcielago
December 22nd, 2008 / 1 Comment » / by admin
In the weeks leading up to the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the rumor mill was spinning at full speed at the prospect of a new high-performance, rear-wheel drive Lamborghini supercar. Instead, we got the Estoque four-door sedan concept. However, the failure of Lamborghini to deliver pure driving performance at the Paris show doesn’t necessarily mean Lamborghini has given up on the idea.
Lamborghini establishes new branch in People´s Republic of China
December 22nd, 2008 / No Comments » / by admin
As part of the strategy to further expand its global business activities, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. will found a branch in China. Following a recent decision by the Board of Management, the Italian luxury sportscar manufacturer will establish Automobili Lamborghini China in the country´s capital city Beijing and will start operations at the beginning of 2009.
Hand-Made Lamborghini Countach Built In Basement
October 21st, 2008 / 5 Comments » / by admin
Seventeen years ago, Ken Imhoff watched Cannonball Run and became so enamored with the Lamborghini Countach in the film, he hand-built his own, in his basement. In what we imagine might be the most Jalopnik build ever undertaken, Ken designed and fabricated his own tig-welded frame, installed a thoroughly massaged 351 cubic inch V8 with a ZF-25 5-speed transmission, hand-formed the aluminum body over a meticulously measured and accurate body form, and finished it all off in a beautiful metallic gray. It took Ken 10 years to complete the project, and the results — as you can see both in the gallery and in the video below the jump — are amazing. There’s only one problem, when you build a car in a basement.
Mysterious Lamborghini model unveiled at the Paris Motor Show
September 25th, 2008 / No Comments » / by admin
Lamborghini released pics of its mysterious unveil at the Paris motor show. The cars rear is being exposed to the lens this time.
Automobili Lamborghini to be featured Marque at 2008 Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance
September 6th, 2008 / 2 Comments » / by admin
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. will be showcased as the featured marque at the 58th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, August 17, 2008, at The Lodge at Pebble Beach. The acclaimed Italian super sports car manufacturer will showcase a few of the brand’s most exclusive Lamborghini models at the prestigious event, including the newly-launched 2009 Gallardo LP560-4, the world-renowned Reventón and the historic Lamborghini P140 prototype.
Lamborghini Reventon replica
September 1st, 2008 / 12 Comments » / by admin
What to do when you want the style of a Lamborghini without the obscene payment? Seek refuge in GM’s stunted program of 1980s awesomeness, the Fiero, that’s what. Armed with time and skill, a steel fabricator from Canada named Woody has done an incredible job transforming a $60 mid-engined Pontiac wedge into an amazing homage to the Reventon. Obviously talented, the finished Woodighini is going to be incredible, Woody’s done a fine job of transferring the Reventon’s proportions to the Fiero’s chassis.
The pics :
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Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 in “The Dark Knight Movie”
August 5th, 2008 / 1 Comment » / by admin
Lamborghini Makes Another Iconic Appearance in Latest Batman Movie ‘The Dark
Knight’…
- Bruce Wayne Drives Batmobile by night, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 by Day -
Limited-Edition Lamborghini by Versace
July 9th, 2008 / 3 Comments » / by admin
The limited-edition Lamborghini by Versace is finally going into production for fall. The car, which will be a convertible in contrast to the coupe originally developed, will be a bright pastel white with a black-and-white leather interior. The price of the special-order Murciélago LP 640 Roadster Versace has yet to be named, but expect to pay a healthy premium above the model’s already hefty base price of $358,000. The V12 roadster, designed by Donatella Versace and just unveiled in Milan during Men’s Fashion Week, will feature a see-through engine bay cover and the fashion house’s signature Greek key motif on the doors, front fascia and nappa leather seats. Versace has also designed an accompanying line of black calfskin accessories including luggage, wallet, gloves, driving shoes, hat and even a pair of leather jeans all bearing an engraved metal Lamborghini Versace tag.
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