Autoblog

For a company with only two principal model lines, Lamborghini sure has been busy lately. The limited run of Reventon seven-figure supercars are still rolling off the line, the Gallardo LP560-4 is reaching the market, the crowds at the Paris Motor Show were wowed by the four-door Estoque concept, there's an anticipated Superveloce (SV) version of the Murcielago on its way, and all the while, the team at Sant'Agata has been working on an all-new supercar. Sources differ on whether the new model, tentatively known as the Jota (reviving a classic Lamborghini nameplate) will emerge as another limited-edition ultra-car to rival the Ferrari Enzo or whether it will serve as the replacement for the aging Murcielago. The latter has been on the market for about seven years now in various iterations, the original breeding the Roadster, the LP640 revision, a handful of Versace editions and the aforementioned Reventon. But Lambo has known for a while now that its supercar, as eminently desirable as it remains, is due for replacement.

The spy shots, snapped (where else) at the Nürburgring, show a test mule running with Murcielago bodywork, only with a few key modifications that betray its secret identity like Clark Kent caught without his glasses. For starters, the wheels are bearing what appears to be some sort of telemetry hubs. The vehicle also appears even wider than the linebacker Murcielago, and the vents behind the side windows have a different shape. Eyewitness accounts suggest the new Raging Bull will wear lightweight carbon fiber bodywork, except for the doors and roof, which seems like an odd choice. The Reventon-inspired bodywork is expected to be laid over an aluminum spaceframe to replace the current Murcielago's outdated and overweight steel tub. We expect the vehicle to retain its all-wheel-drive system – by now a hallmark of modern Lambos – with power coming from the latest version of the company's perennial V12, but with the potential addition of direct injection for improved power delivery. Whether the car in question will emerge as yet another limited version of the existing Murcielago or its anticipated replacement will become clearer as we get closer to its anticipated debut in two years as a 2011 model. But our money's on the latter.

[Source: NextAutos.com]

Just in from Lamborghini, a very nebulous pre-release that reads only:

"It's not just a new Lamborghini. It's a new world."

The above photo accompanies it, showing only a center-exit exhaust, some rear grillework, and a carbon fiber diffuser. And that's it. Commence guessing in the comments below. Lambo's letting the cat out of the bag on October 1st, and we're as curious as everyone else right now.

[Source: Lamborghini]

When I was a kid, I used to sit in front of the computer and draw up concept cars on Microsoft Paint. It was, and still is, a very primitive application, but it was simple enough for me to use back in grade school. I even designed the graphics for a local ISP's website on MS Paint, but that was the extent of it.

Here's someone, meanwhile, with the know-how and the skills who decided to render a Lamborghini Murcielago, with considerable detail and skill, all on Microsoft Paint. What's more is that he captured the entire process on video and uploaded it to YouTube, from blank page to finished product. Someone with too much time on his hands? Probably, but his video has been making the rounds. And remember, if the time-lapse nine-minute video has you bored halfway through, think of how long it must have taken him in real time.

[Source: Jalopnik]

The terms "exotic" and "SUV" seldom go together. With few exceptions, the closest you might get is the Porsche Cayenne, or in reference to the rig you use to tow your supercar from track to concours. One notable exception is the Lamborghini LM002. Nicknamed the "Rambo Lambo", it bridged the gap between the company's tractor and supercar divisions in a military truck that makes the HUMMER look like a Tonka. It was powered by the V12 out of the Countach, and only 300 were said to have been built. With those limited numbers, they don't change hands all that often, but one shining example has just come rumbling onto eBay Motors.

Serial Number ZA9LU45A2JLA12069, in red over tan, is advertised as just having undergone a major servicing where many components were repaired, replaced and upgraded, including newly refinished cylinder heads, gaskets, brakes, suspension, new tires all around (road rubber to replace the off-road Pirelli Scorpions), new interior carpets, reconditioned leather interior, front and rear brush guards, side rails, transfer case, relocated fuel tank, new sound system with overhead speakers and new exhaust system.

With a Buy-It-Now price just shy of $100k, at the time of writing the bids were up to $61,300. That may seem like a huge chunk of change for one of the ugliest, worst-handling, worst-riding, gas-guzzling trucks ever to chew up the road, but you go and try to find something with more road presence.

[Source: eBay via GermanCarScene]

Exactly how fast are British motorists driving, anyway? Apparently the Renault F1 car just wasn't enough for their highway patrol, so the London Met Police have procured a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 into their motor pool.

Unlike the Italian police who received a patrol-prepped Gallardo pursuit vehicle from Lamborghini, it looks like (as with the F1 car) the London bobbies won't actually be keeping or using this car, admitting (or reassuring British taxpayers) that the exotic was not actually paid for with public funds. Most of the Lambo's grey paintjob was left in tact, with yellow and blue checkers pasted down the sides and lights on the roof.

The car is part of an exhibition at the MPH '06 car show in Birmingham. The photo shoot reportedly had to be hurried as the spectacle was in danger of causing traffic accidents, and during the eight miles the constables drove it, it was pulled over twice by other curious cops.

[Source: Piston Head]

Rumors have been floating around that Audi is planning on chopping the Lamborghini Gallardo's V10 in half, throwing a turbo on it and installing it into the new TT coupe. The resulting 2.5-liter, turbocharged five-cylinder would produce an estimated 350 horsepower, according to Todd Lassa from Motor Trend who reported the project was being developed under the working name of TT-Lambo.

AutoExpress, however, is reporting that Audi has nix'd any plans to build a TT faster than the current TT S-line in order to leave room for the upcoming R8 "everyday" supercar, which is expected to use a version of the Gallardo's V10, as well. While we certainly respect Audi's desire not to produce vehicles that compete with another in the marketplace, we hardly think a 350-hp, front-engine sports car competes on the same level as a 500-hp, mid-engine supercar (the Gallardo develops 500 horses, so we assume the R8's power will be around that number, too). Audi seems to be doing pretty well without our advice, though.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Newport Beach millionaire Richard Moriarty has a thing for exotic art. How else to explain the fact that the Californian's gone and mounted a 1974 Lamborghini Countach onto a wall in his home?

No small operation, the Italian supercar was hoisted into place by a five-man crew using a 70-ton crane. The Countach's engine has been separated from Moriarty's new wall hanging, and now serves as a coffee table.

Check out the LA Times' photo gallery of the installation process here.

[Sources: Associated Press via SignOnSanDiego.com; Los Angeles Times]

(Thanks to Matt for the photo tip!)