The flagship Murciélago supercar carries into 2004 with no significant changes. It's a supercar that's down to supercar business, meaning that it doesn't aim to be a daily driver but rather to provide the driver with a sort of on-demand visceral experience…and to gather more glances than just about any other car on the road with it's evolutionary Lamborghini wedge shape. Power is provided by a monstrous-sounding, mid-mounted 572-hp, 6.2-liter V-12 and six-speed manual transmission, with power put to the pavement through all four wheels. Count on 0-60 in less than four seconds and a top speed of about 205 mph. The Murciélago price tag is steep, at about $300,000, but any purchase in this territory isn't about price, it's about Lambo lust.
Gallardo
The big news for Lambo is the high-end sports-car maker's "budget" entry, the Gallardo, which aims to go head to head with Ferrari's 360 Modena. Developed with engineering assistance from Audi, the Gallardo is powered by a new 493-hp, 5.0-liter V-10 engine based on the all-aluminum V-8 that Audi uses in the A8. An F1-style paddle-shift automated manual gearbox will be an option, with a six-speed manual standard. The dash to 60 mph happens in a quick four seconds. With more attention paid to interior and comfort, the Gallardo is significantly more civil than the Murcielago, and day-to-day use is a possibility. Prices "affordably" start at about $165,000.
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