Take A Ride In The 2007 Lamborghini Murcielago

Anyone who appreciates a good underdog story probably likes Lamborghini. The Italian carmaker that launched thousands of bedroom posters trailed rivals like Ferrari and Porsche in prestige and technological superiority for years. Along the way, ownership of the Sant’ Agata Bolognese company has unraveled like a string of Hollywood marriages, complete with irreconcilable differences. It was even owned by Chrysler from 1987 to 1994 when the seven-year itch apparently set in and Lamborghini was kicked to the curb, rebounding into the arms of an Indonesian investment group. Then in 1998, Audi/Volkswagen wooed their way into ownership after initially being hooked up only for technical assistance. Since then, the story and the cars have steadily improved. Today, Lamborghini commands a strong impression on car culture; the scissor-action doors are copied on everything from custom show cars to your neighbor’s kid’s pimped-out Kia. 

So, it seems the underdog Lamborghini aims to be an overachiever. The intent is blatantly obvious with the Murciélago named after a notorious fighting bull. The name is also Spanish for “bat.” Either translation is apt. The car is fierce and it’s a heck of a bug-killer at over 200 miles an hour. First introduced in 2001, the lone Murciélago model for 2007 is the LP640 coupe, the most powerful yet. Here’s a look at this exotic against its peers in the areas of luxury and practicality.

Continued:

_________the luxury ride

It’s true that we’ve criticized the Murciélago in the past, showing favor to its little brother, the Gallardo. In our defense we can only say the big bat/bull has grown on us. Luc Donckerwolke’s design pays homage to Lambos of the past, namely the Diablo and Countach, and with minor revisions for 2007 it looks more aggressive than ever. There isn’t much on the road that looks more pissed off and ready to charge. Under the paint, the taut skin is carbon fiber (except the roof and doors, which are steel). Carbon fiber is also used liberally throughout the framework for its strength and light weight. It also appears as an option for interior trim. 

Speaking of interiors, “Italian car ergonomics” has historically been a curious term, like “cheerful German police” or “fine English cuisine.” But since Audi’s been hosting the party, you no longer need a good chiropractor on your speed dial to enjoy a Lamborghini. Not only are driver and passenger more comfortable, the gauges are logically placed and easy to read. Controls are straightforward and in places you’d expect to find them. Material quality befits the lofty price tag and it all has a sense of harmony rather than just being screwed together. Thankfully, one thing that has not changed is the exposed metal shift gate featured with the standard six-speed manual transmission. It demands a firm yet precise hand to do it right, completely within the car’s character. You can order the sequential manual (described as a “robotized gear-shifting system”), but in an exotic with this kind of attitude, manumatics seem out of character — even emasculating. Like the Murciélago design itself, maybe we’ll be less harsh on them in the future. For now though, we’re stuck in manual mode.

Any guesses what the “640” in LP640 means? It’s the horsepower available from the 6.5-liter, bored and stroked V12 mounted behind you, which is at your command on its drive-by-wire system, along with 487 lb-ft of torque.

In keeping with another Lamborghini tradition, the firing order is still etched on the cam cover. You’ll want to say yes to the optional transparent engine lid to properly show it off when you’re at a standstill, no matter how rare that will be. Neck-snapping lurches from 0 mph to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds, and the top speed is around 211 mph.

Sticky Pirelli P Zeros are mounted on the 18-inch rims, all-wheel drive and traction control are also at work, but there’s no stability control system to bail you out of particularly stupid moves. Needless to say, to remain planted on the pavement in a car like this, aerodynamics are critical. The Murciélago boasts a two-stage rear spoiler, automatically deployed based on speed. Air inlets and outlets are as functional as they are necessary and are controlled by temperature as well as speed.

As if the point needs to be stressed, everything here has a purpose. When you’ve had your fun making the V12 howl its sweet song, the antilock brakes and optional ceramic discs bring the tempo back down in a hurry. Even though the standard brakes perform well, why decline this option given the car’s potential? For that matter, why is this even an option on a $300,000 exotic?  

The verdict

Murciélago may alternately refer to a bat or a fighting bull, but it doesn’t remotely translate to understatement. It’s taken a while, but we’ve warmed to the design.  Inside, it’s hard not to like your quarters. This is no Maybach, but for an exotic the ergonomics work much more with you than against. Performance is astounding and the motor howls the way an Italian V12 should. While the standard brakes are more than adequate for typical driving, high-speed and track-driving call for the ceramic discs option, which we contend should be an assumed part of the package.

Luxury score: 49/50

_________the practical ride

Even among exotics, Lamborghini has never scored high in the relative department of practicality. However, today’s models have raised the bar to a new level. Gone are the days of faxing route maps to your mechanic and towing company before a drive. You can credit Audi for the ability to get you there and back.

As we mentioned earlier, the Murciélago’s interior is reasonably accommodating for an exotic, leaving you less cramped and giving you more in control. In a car capable of more than 200 mph that’s never a bad thing. In traffic, however, you have to respect the car’s size as its limitations become more obvious. At nearly seven-feet wide, you have about a foot-and-a-half clearance to either side in most lanes. Most mid-engine cars have poor to nonexistent rear visibility, and the Murciélago is no exception. Lane changes and backing require judicious use of mirrors and a healthy dose of karma for good measure. You should also keep in mind that this car has a bus-like turning radius of over 41 feet; even getting in and out requires finesse. Unless your passenger is very outgoing, she’d better avoid wearing skirts around this car, since mild acrobatics are involved to clear the bodywork and sub-46-inch roofline.

Given the Murciélago’s gas mileage, you’ll be getting out often to replenish the premium fuel with some regularity. Despite the 26-gallon tank, your cruising range will probably fall short of 300 miles. Expect to average about 10 miles per gallon — if you’re behaving yourself. At least you’ll meet plenty of Hummer H2 owners along the way. And while you’ll get similar mileage, they’ll have the jump on cargo room, virtually nonexistent in the Lambo.

Even if you have to travel light, at least you can travel with confidence in the Murciélago. Lamborghini’s warranty covers the car for two years or 24,000 miles. It doesn’t sound like much compared to everyday cars, but it’s on par with its peers. Beginning with the Diablo, Lamborghini’s reliability has shown improvement. Today’s cars still have all the ferocious performance, but without the atrocious service life of components. They’re still high-strung, high-maintenance cars, don’t get us wrong, but they’re becoming more dependable to the level of some peers and more agreeable to frequent driving. Lamborghini’s U.S. dealer network is limited to a couple dozen locations, but most owners presumably aren’t far from dealers or qualified technicians. The others usually just ship their cars to dealers for service. In this tier, what’s a few thousand dollars for transit?

The verdict

Even among exotics, Lamborghinis have never been considered practical. Today’s models are beginning to change that for the better. Until the House of the Raging Bull makes good on rumors of building a spiritual successor to their LM002 SUV, we don’t expect to see many pulling daily driver duties, and to that extent the Gallardo is better suited than the Murciélago. Even so, an aggressive drive in a new Lambo is much less likely to end in heartbreak and repairs, encouraging owners to enjoy their cars more often.  

Practicality score: 33/50

_________and the total is…

Despite a near-perfect finish in the luxury category, the Lamborghini Murciélago was lacking in practicality against other exotics. Overall, the driving experience is exhilarating and its look has grown on us since its 2001intro. Its design will probably avoid looking anachronistic in 20 years, the way a Countach today looks like it came from the Miami Vice yard sale. Cars like the Murciélago will keep Lamborghini in the right direction, earning some well-deserved cred for the onetime underdog.

82/100

Resources: http://aolsvc.edmunds.com , www.lamborghini.com