Autoblog

Lamborghini has been on something of a roll lately. It had a record year last year with 2,087 units sold. It introduced special editions of the Murcielago and Gallardo, as well as upgraded the "regular" Murci to LP640 status. A roadster version of the LP640 was a no-brainer and showed up soon after. They also let slip that a super lightweight version of the bread-and-butter Gallardo would be debuting in Geneva. So there are lots of reasons to smile if you're with Lamborghini or an enthusiast who follows the way of the bull. One particular highlight must have been seeing a Murci Roadster pop up in Batman Begins. As playboy Bruce Wayne, the Dark Knight escorts a pair of lovelies to dinner and makes a most dramatic exit after an impromptu dip in the fountain. Uma Thurman will also be piloting a Lambo on the small screen in Pirelli's mini feature "Mission Zero", though this time a Gallardo Spyder. Well, it looks like we might be seeing even more of Lamborghini on the big screen in the near future.

Despite the good press for Lamborghini, there have been rumblings that VW might want to shed its supercar brand. And even with more than 2,000 sales last year, that was less than half of archrival Ferrari's U.S. total. Even though Volkswagen has said it is committed to keeping Lambo, and Bugatti for that matter, a sales boost sure would help. Lamborghini's highest profile vehicle, the Murcielago Roadster LP640 was a star of the recent North American International Auto Show last month in Detroit, but getting it into the next Batman movie should get it even more international attention, and that appears to be the plan. Brandweek recently sat down with Automobili Lamborghini CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, to discuss the company's U.S. strategies. Follow the read link for the whole interview.

[Source: Brandweek]

UPDATED WITH LIVE PICS FROM LA

Lamborghini has proven yet again that like a beautiful woman, everything looks better topless.

The Lamborghini LP640 coupe attracts glazed-over glares all on its own, but the roadster with the top down is outright stunning. Sharing specs with the coupe, the LP640 Roadster promises the same performance, but with the wind in your hair. Expect 0-62 MPH in 3.5 seconds on your way to a top sped north of 200 MPH from the 6.5-liter, 633 BHP V12 supercar. Pricing should begin at about $390,000 US and adding one to the Christmas wish list this year should get yours delivered in early 2007.

The only issue seems to be the user-friendliness of the fabric top. Those in the know say that lowering it is similar to fishing with your bare hands. Once you finally get it down, ingress and egress improve dramatically and the revised seats and gauge cluster are immediately apparent. That brings back high school memories and our first attempt at rendering something beautiful topless...

(Rear and interior views after the jump)

[Source: CAR]

Lamborghini, you sneaky little... Tried to get one by us, did you? But right there on your press site, you have a leak. Under "New Models" it says "Murcielago LP640 Roadster."

Something you wanna tell us? No? Well, TopSpeed says you'll be showing the whole world the new 640 hp, 210 mph droptop at the Bologna Motor Show, Dec. 7. You're really gonna make us all wait until then? Fine, but just so you know, you're not getting a Christmas card from us.

Thanks to reader Drew Phillips for the tip!