Lamborghini Murciélago: Specs, Versions and the Legacy of Its V12
In 2001, Lamborghini needed a car that could follow the Diablo and prove the brand had a future. The answer was the Murciélago: a 580 PS, all-wheel-drive, scissor-doored statement that became the first completely new Lamborghini of the Audi era, and the last to carry the company’s classic V12 formula in its purest form.
Built from 2001 to 2010, the Murciélago went through three major evolutions, a roadster variant, a million-euro limited edition and one of the most extreme road cars the brand had ever produced. This guide covers the engineering behind it, version by version.
A Name With a Story
Lamborghini has a tradition of naming its cars after fighting bulls, and the Murciélago has one of the best stories. In 1879, a bull named Murciélago (Spanish for “bat”) fought in Córdoba, Spain, against the famous matador Rafael Molina “Lagartijo.” The bull showed such courage and vitality that Lagartijo spared its life, an extremely rare honor. The animal was later given to the breeder Don Joaquín del Val, who raised it for breeding.
Birth of a New Era
The Murciélago was the first Lamborghini developed after Audi AG took ownership of the company in 1998. Audi’s investment brought engineering resources, quality control and development discipline that the small Sant’Agata Bolognese manufacturer had long lacked. The design was led by Luc Donckerwolke, who gave the car a cleaner, more angular and more aggressive shape than the Diablo, while keeping the signature scissor doors.
Over its life, Lamborghini built 4,099 Murciélagos, making it the most successful 12-cylinder Lamborghini of its time.
The Heart of the Car: A Naturally Aspirated V12
The original Murciélago used a 6.2-liter, 60° V12, a descendant of the engine family that has powered Lamborghinis since the 1960s. It was mounted longitudinally behind the cabin, with four valves per cylinder (48 in total), double overhead camshafts and dry-sump lubrication.
Dry-sump lubrication keeps oil supply consistent under high lateral and longitudinal loads, and it lets the engine sit lower in the chassis, which improves the center of gravity.
With no turbochargers, the V12 builds power through displacement and revs. The result is immediate throttle response and linear power delivery, qualities that are increasingly rare today.
All-Wheel Drive: Traction for 580 PS
Unlike many supercars of its time, the Murciélago sent power to all four wheels. The system used a viscous coupling that normally directed most torque to the rear axle and sent more to the front when the rear wheels began to lose grip.
The benefit is stability and traction under hard acceleration and in poor conditions, without making the car feel like a front-driven one. The combination of a longitudinal V12 and AWD defined the Murciélago’s character: stable, fast and demanding at the limit.
Transmission: Manual or E-gear
Early cars came with a six-speed manual gearbox and a traditional gated shifter. From 2003, Lamborghini offered E-gear, an electro-hydraulically actuated automated manual with steering-wheel paddles. It shifted much faster than most drivers could with a clutch, though its single-clutch design was less smooth at low speeds than modern dual-clutch units.
Today, manual Murciélagos are among the most sought-after by collectors.
Chassis, Suspension and Brakes
The Murciélago used a steel spaceframe with carbon-fiber body panels, wrapped in an aerodynamic shape finished by hand. Both axles used double-wishbone independent suspension with coil springs, designed to keep the tires planted at high speeds and over uneven surfaces.
Stopping power came from large ventilated discs with multi-piston calipers. Later versions, especially the LP640 and the SuperVeloce, offered carbon-ceramic brakes as an option, reducing unsprung weight and resisting fade under repeated hard stops.
Aerodynamics and Cooling
A car with a V12 and these speeds generates a lot of heat and a lot of lift. The Murciélago’s large side intakes feed the engine bay and radiators, and they are functional, not decorative. At the rear, a retractable spoiler rises automatically at speed, adding stability when the car needs it and staying flush when it does not.
Murciélago Versions at a Glance
| Version | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murciélago | 2001–2006 | 6.2 L V12 | 580 PS (572 hp) | 650 Nm | ~3.8 s | ~330 km/h |
| Murciélago LP640 | 2006–2010 | 6.5 L V12 | 640 PS (631 hp) | 660 Nm | ~3.4 s | ~340 km/h |
| Murciélago Reventón | 2007–2008 | 6.5 L V12 | 650 PS (641 hp) | 660 Nm | ~3.4 s | ~340 km/h |
| Murciélago LP670-4 SuperVeloce | 2009–2010 | 6.5 L V12 | 670 PS (661 hp) | 660 Nm | ~3.2 s | ~342 km/h |
Figures are manufacturer claims and can vary by source, market and configuration.
Murciélago Roadster (2004)
A convertible version was added in 2004. It kept the coupe’s mechanical package but lost some structural stiffness, which Lamborghini compensated for with reinforcements. It remains a popular choice for owners who want to hear the V12 with the top off.
Murciélago LP640 (2006)
The LP640 (“Longitudinale Posteriore, 640 CV”) was a major update. The engine grew to 6.5 liters and produced 640 PS. The car also received a redesigned body with a new front end, a more rigid structure, a revised interior and a stronger focus on everyday usability. It is widely seen as the most complete version of the model.
Murciélago Reventón (2007)
Only 20 units were built, plus one for Lamborghini’s own collection. Inspired by the look of a fighter jet, the Reventón had unique bodywork, an angular design and an original price of around one million euros. Mechanically it was an LP640 with slightly more power. It remains one of the most collectible Lamborghinis of its generation.
Murciélago LP670-4 SuperVeloce (2009)
The last and most extreme Murciélago. The “SV” combined 670 PS with a weight reduction of roughly 100 kg compared to the LP640, achieved through carbon-fiber components, lighter materials and a revised aerodynamic package, including a large adjustable rear wing. With just 350 units built, it is the most desirable version for collectors and the closest the model came to a track-focused special.
Murciélago vs. Diablo vs. Gallardo
The Murciélago sat at the top of Lamborghini’s range. Compared with the Diablo, it was more reliable, more refined and better built thanks to Audi’s influence. Compared with the smaller V10 Gallardo, it was larger, heavier, louder and more dramatic, a flagship rather than an everyday supercar. Many enthusiasts consider it the last “raw” V12 Lamborghini before the Aventador brought a new generation of technology in 2011.
The Murciélago as a Collector’s Car
Values have risen steadily over the last decade. Rarity, manual transmissions, special editions and condition drive prices. In general:
- Manual-transmission cars carry a premium.
- LP640 models are a popular entry point into the nameplate.
- LP670-4 SV and Reventón cars sit at the top of the market.
- Service history is critical. Maintenance on a V12 Lamborghini is expensive, so a documented history matters more than low mileage alone.
Check recent auction results for current market values.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much horsepower does the Lamborghini Murciélago have?
The original had 580 PS (572 hp). The LP640 made 640 PS (631 hp), and the LP670-4 SuperVeloce made 670 PS (661 hp).
How fast is the Murciélago?
Top speed ranged from about 330 km/h on the original to roughly 342 km/h on the SuperVeloce. The SV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in about 3.2 seconds.
How many Murciélagos were built?
A total of 4,099 units were produced between 2001 and 2010, including coupes and roadsters.
Is the Murciélago all-wheel drive?
Yes. All versions use permanent all-wheel drive with a viscous-coupling system.
Does the Murciélago have a manual transmission?
Yes, a six-speed manual was offered, along with the E-gear automated manual from 2003 onward.
What replaced the Murciélago?
The Lamborghini Aventador, introduced in 2011, with a new carbon-fiber monocoque and a 6.5-liter V12.
Final Thoughts
The Murciélago was never only about numbers. It was the car that proved Lamborghini could modernize without losing its personality. It pairs a naturally aspirated V12 with all-wheel drive, scissor doors and a presence few cars have matched. In an era moving toward turbochargers and electrification, it stands as one of the last great analog supercars.