19.12.2010 DETAIL EMERGES OF LAMBORGHINI'S NEW GENEVA-BOUND LP700-4

LAMBORGHINI LP700-4

This filling in of the blanks comes on top of a new image that shows the super car very thinly disguised during a recent preview for selected journalists and which offers the best look yet of its lines and proportions.

LAMBORGHINI LP700-4

The LP700-4 will offer a series of paint finishes, two pastel colours (black and yellow), one solid (white), four metallic (black, blue and two grays, one of which, "Grigio Estoque", is a brand new colour), two pearl effects (yellow and two oranges, one of which, "Arancio Argos", is also new to the Lamborghini colour palette) and finally three fashionable 'matte' finishes (black, white and brown).

LAMBORGHINI LP700-4

Inside the cockpit the LP700-4 will be trimmed out in two colours: the dashboard, roof lining, door pillars and the sides of the seats will come in "Nero Ade" leather, while the lower sections of the doors, the inner seats and the center tunnel can be specified in a choice of five Alcantara colours: red, white, brown, yellow or green.

Specifications, standard and optional equipment and technical details of the successor to the V12 Murciélago, to be called the LP700-4 and set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1, have been inadvertently released through the leaking of a dealer guide.
 
This filling in of the blanks comes on top of a new image that shows the super car very thinly disguised during a recent preview for selected journalists and which offers the best look yet of its lines and proportions. That image revealed a strong dose of 'family' design language for the LP700-4 with evolutionary thinking being the net result and inspiration in particular taken from the limited-edition Reventón with a signature front end, side proportions and large air intakes in front of the rear wheels all featuring.
 
While Lamborghini has outlined in detail the new 6,498cc V12 engine that will power the new supercar, the leaked brochure details the key performance data pertaining to this units first production use in the new LP700-4. The new engine, which replaces a well-travelled powerplant that can trace its lineage back four decades, will, as the name suggests, turn out 700 PS at 8,250 rpm, while peak torque will be 690 Nm at 5,500 rpm. On the emissions front the new 48-valve engine pumps out 398 g/km while fuel consumption is 17.2 litres/100 km (13.5 mpg).
 
Top speed is 350 km/h (217 mph) and it achieves the dash from standstill to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.9 seconds. Lamborghini has also previously detailed its new ISR ("independent Shifting Rods") gearbox with 7 forward gears + reverse and a 50 ms shifting time which debut in the LP700-4 and it will come coupled up to an electronically-controlled Haldex 4WD transmission.
 
Thanks to the extensive use of lightweight materials, the LP700-4 will weigh in at 1,575 kg (3,472 lb) with weight distribution being 43/57 percent front/rear. Main dimensions are: wheelbase (2,700 mm), length (4,780 mm), width (2,265 mm with door mirrors extended/2,030 mm with door mirrors folded away) and height (1,136 mm). Fuel tank capacity is 90 litres. At the front the LP700-4 will be shod with 255/35R19 tyres while at the rear the standard silver-polished alloy wheels (black will be an optional finish) will be one inch bigger and fitted with 335/30R20 tyres. Inside the big wheels the carbon-ceramic brake discs will be 400 mm wide at the front and feature 6-pot calipers (black as the standard colour with yellow, gray and orange all as optional finishes) while at the rear they will be 380 mm (4 pot calipers). The car's black suspension springs can also be optioned in a yellow finish.
 
The LP700-4 will offer a series of paint finishes, two pastel colours (black and yellow), one solid (white), four metallic (black, blue and two grays, one of which, "Grigio Estoque", is a brand new colour), two pearl effects (yellow and two oranges, one of which, "Arancio Argos", is also new to the Lamborghini colour palette) and finally three fashionable 'matte' finishes (black, white and brown). The visible engine hood can be optionally specified transparent and the polycarbonate engine cover can be optioned in carbon-fibre.
 
Inside the cockpit the LP700-4 will be trimmed out in two colours: the dashboard, roof lining, door pillars and the sides of the seats will come in "Nero Ade" leather, while the lower sections of the doors, the inner seats and the center tunnel can be specified in a choice of five Alcantara colours: red, white, brown, yellow or green. Stitching comes in up to nine colours (including the "Ad Personam" programme options) and can either be specified matching or contrasting. The seats come with electric headrests with full electric adjustment and a heating function being optional, while other options include different style (including suede leather) and perforated (leather) finishes for the steering wheel, a rear mounted camera, front and rear parking sensors, multifunctional steering wheel and an improved in car sound system (the standard package has 2 tweeters on the door and 2 woofers on the dashboard).
 
Electronic aids include ABS, EBD, ASR, ESC, Hill Holder, electronically-controlled rear spoiler and side air intake, Servotronic and three driving modes integrating the functions of the gearbox, differential, engine and Servotronic. Telematics capability and electronic functions include a engine start button fitted on the tunnel, full TFT instrument displays, on board computer, multimedia system with 7-inch TFT display, iPod and USB interface, navigation system, Bluetooth, lifting system, Bi-Xenon headlights with washers, daytime running lights with LED technology, ignition key with remote control (keyless), automatic climate control with solar sensor, dusk and rain sensors and electronically adjustable, foldable and heated door mirrors.
 
by Edd Ellison
 

© 2010 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed