The story
The Murciélago was Lamborghini’s attempt to bring a few modern standards to the template set by the Miura, Countach and Diablo, styled by Luc Donckerwolke with nods to the Miura’s window slats. Its 60-degree, 6192-cc V-12 was a fresh design except for the upper crankcase, with dry-sump lubrication that let the engine sit two inches lower. Car and Driver’s test car made 572 hp at 7,500 rpm and 479 lb-ft, sent through a six-speed manual and viscous four-wheel drive.
The 4,058-pound test car reached 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, 100 mph in 9.5 seconds, and ran the quarter-mile in 12.6 seconds at 116 mph, with a drag-limited top speed of 205 mph (manufacturer’s estimate). Car and Driver listed the base price at $280,050.
Sources: Car and Driver, Tested: 2003 Lamborghini Murciélago; Car and Driver, First Drive: 2002 Lamborghini Murciélago.