Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster
Presented as a concept car in 2003 in Detroit where it generated significant interest among Italian supercar enthusiasts the production version of the Murcielago Roadster makes its official debut at the Geneva Show 2004. Manufacture and sales are planned for the second half of this year for the Roadster. The latest arrival at the House of the Raging Bull takes its inspiration from the great Italian tradition of open vehicles.
As with the Coupe, the design of the Murcielago Roadster is exclusive, aggressive and extreme. In creating the Roadster, the designer Luc Donckerwolke did not restrict himself to “cutting off” the roof of the Coupe. He bestowed it with its own sensational appearance, making the Murcielago Roadster a truly unique model. A model which in series production has retained all the emotional impact of the initial concept itself.
The exterior design is characterized by a true muscularity that interacts with aggressive lines, exploring the whole language of Lamborghini design and raising it to a new, higher level. The aggressive, exclusive and extreme themes are also reflected in the interior design, with streamlined headrests that perfectly integrate mobile air vents and “asymmetrical” leather upholstery. This enhances the whole driver’s part of the cockpit.
The front and lateral glass parts have been designed like a crash helmet visor, in order to integrate perfectly with the structure of the vehicle. In order not to alter the aesthetics of the car, the electronically controlled safety roll bars are automatic, extending only when necessary. As a result, optimum vehicle aerodynamics are maintained.
The newly conceived wheels are also in harmony with traditional Lamborghini design, with round holes that intersect the spokes. There is easy access to the bonnet, which is opened at the front as was the case with the legendary Miura. Finally, the exhausts are also new, with a more aggressive “section” than the Coupe. The Roadster differs from the Murcielago Coupe in certain important technical details. Various structural chassis components – in steel and carbon have been redesigned to ensure adequate torsional stiffness, even though there is no roof.
The engine is obviously the Lamborghini 12 cylinder 60° V, with a displacement of 6192 cc, producing 580 bhp (426 kW) at 7500 rpm and a maximum torque of 480 lb-ft at 5400 rpm. The engine features the Lamborghini L.I.E. electronic engine management system. The standard gearbox is a 6-speed manual, like the Coupe. As an optional feature, a 6-speed “e-gear” automatic version is available.
There is also Lamborghini permanent four-wheel drive on the Roadster, with a central viscous coupling and limited slip rear and front differentials (45% rear, 25% front). There is independent front and rear double wishbone suspension and anti-roll bars with front “Antidive” and rear “Antisquat” systems. Koni FSD (Frequency Selecting Dampers) self-adjusting shock absorbers are used.
The maximum speed of the Murcielago Roadster (depending on aerodynamic configuration) is circa 200 mph. The recommended maximum speed with the roof in place is 100 mph. The Murcielago Roadster takes 3.8 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. Despite the absence of the roof, structural modifications have ensured excellent levels of rigidity. This rigidity and the optimized suspension ensure that driveability and performance are definitely not inferior to those of the Coupe. Lap times for the two versions of the Murcielago at various handling circuits have proven to be more or less identical.
The Murcielago Roadster is more extreme and exclusive than ever, also with respect to the interior. This has “asymmetrical” leather upholstery: the left side has different material compared to the right and is perforated. That part of the cockpit designed for the driver is oriented towards him/her, so it is a real “Pilot Oriented Challenger”. The left side door panel also has “perforated” cladding, whereas the central part of both seats is made of alcantara. The headrest area has been modified to allow the use of the glove compartment nets in the area between the cockpit and the engine.
Presented as a concept car in 2003 in Detroit where it generated significant interest among Italian supercar enthusiasts the production version of the Murcielago Roadster makes its official debut at the Geneva Show 2004. Manufacture and sales are planned for the second half of this year for the Roadster. The latest arrival at the House of the Raging Bull takes its inspiration from the great Italian tradition of open vehicles.
As with the Coupe, the design of the Murcielago Roadster is exclusive, aggressive and extreme. In creating the Roadster, the designer Luc Donckerwolke did not restrict himself to “cutting off” the roof of the Coupe. He bestowed it with its own sensational appearance, making the Murcielago Roadster a truly unique model. A model which in series production has retained all the emotional impact of the initial concept itself.
The exterior design is characterized by a true muscularity that interacts with aggressive lines, exploring the whole language of Lamborghini design and raising it to a new, higher level. The aggressive, exclusive and extreme themes are also reflected in the interior design, with streamlined headrests that perfectly integrate mobile air vents and “asymmetrical” leather upholstery. This enhances the whole driver’s part of the cockpit.
The front and lateral glass parts have been designed like a crash helmet visor, in order to integrate perfectly with the structure of the vehicle. In order not to alter the aesthetics of the car, the electronically controlled safety roll bars are automatic, extending only when necessary. As a result, optimum vehicle aerodynamics are maintained.
The newly conceived wheels are also in harmony with traditional Lamborghini design, with round holes that intersect the spokes. There is easy access to the bonnet, which is opened at the front as was the case with the legendary Miura. Finally, the exhausts are also new, with a more aggressive “section” than the Coupe. The Roadster differs from the Murcielago Coupe in certain important technical details. Various structural chassis components – in steel and carbon have been redesigned to ensure adequate torsional stiffness, even though there is no roof.
The engine is obviously the Lamborghini 12 cylinder 60° V, with a displacement of 6192 cc, producing 580 bhp (426 kW) at 7500 rpm and a maximum torque of 480 lb-ft at 5400 rpm. The engine features the Lamborghini L.I.E. electronic engine management system. The standard gearbox is a 6-speed manual, like the Coupe. As an optional feature, a 6-speed “e-gear” automatic version is available.
There is also Lamborghini permanent four-wheel drive on the Roadster, with a central viscous coupling and limited slip rear and front differentials (45% rear, 25% front). There is independent front and rear double wishbone suspension and anti-roll bars with front “Antidive” and rear “Antisquat” systems. Koni FSD (Frequency Selecting Dampers) self-adjusting shock absorbers are used.
The maximum speed of the Murcielago Roadster (depending on aerodynamic configuration) is circa 200 mph. The recommended maximum speed with the roof in place is 100 mph. The Murcielago Roadster takes 3.8 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. Despite the absence of the roof, structural modifications have ensured excellent levels of rigidity. This rigidity and the optimized suspension ensure that driveability and performance are definitely not inferior to those of the Coupe. Lap times for the two versions of the Murcielago at various handling circuits have proven to be more or less identical.
The Murcielago Roadster is more extreme and exclusive than ever, also with respect to the interior. This has “asymmetrical” leather upholstery: the left side has different material compared to the right and is perforated. That part of the cockpit designed for the driver is oriented towards him/her, so it is a real “Pilot Oriented Challenger”. The left side door panel also has “perforated” cladding, whereas the central part of both seats is made of alcantara. The headrest area has been modified to allow the use of the glove compartment nets in the area between the cockpit and the engine.
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