Difference between revisions of "Lamborghini"

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{| border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:300px; background:#505050; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
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! colspan=2 |'''History of Lamborghini'''
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[[image:Lambo_Diablo_WOI.jpg|thumb|290px|right|'''Lamborghini Diablo at [http://www.woiow.com Wheels Of Italy]]]'''
  
  
 
'''Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.''', commonly referred to as '''Lamborghini''', is an Italian manufacturer of high performance [[sports car]]s ([[supercar]]) based in the small [[Italy|Italian]] [[village]] of [[Sant'Agata Bolognese]], near [[Bologna]]. Lamborghini is now a subsidiary of German car manufacturer [[Audi|Audi AG]], which is in turn a subsidiary of [[Volkswagen]]. Lamborghini is the main counterpart to [[Ferrari]] in the Italian sports car business. The Italian company was founded in 1963 by businessman [[Ferruccio Lamborghini]] (April 28, 1916 February 20, 1993), who owned a successful [[tractor]] [[factory]], ''Lamborghini Trattori S.p.A.''.
 
'''Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.''', commonly referred to as '''Lamborghini''', is an Italian manufacturer of high performance [[sports car]]s ([[supercar]]) based in the small [[Italy|Italian]] [[village]] of [[Sant'Agata Bolognese]], near [[Bologna]]. Lamborghini is now a subsidiary of German car manufacturer [[Audi|Audi AG]], which is in turn a subsidiary of [[Volkswagen]]. Lamborghini is the main counterpart to [[Ferrari]] in the Italian sports car business. The Italian company was founded in 1963 by businessman [[Ferruccio Lamborghini]] (April 28, 1916 February 20, 1993), who owned a successful [[tractor]] [[factory]], ''Lamborghini Trattori S.p.A.''.
  
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[[image:Lambo_Diablo_WOI.jpg|thumb|350px|right|'''Lamborghini Diablo at Wheels Of Italy''']]
 
  
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==History==
 
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===Origin===
 
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The most common version, as told by Ferruccio Lamborghini's son, is that Ferruccio Lamborghini went to meet [[Enzo Ferrari]] at the [[Ferrari]] factory to complain about the quality of the [[clutch]] in the [[Ferrari 250]] GT he owned.  Enzo Ferrari sent him away telling him to go and drive tractors because he was not able to drive cars. Lamborghini went back to his factory, had his Ferrari's clutch dismantled and realized that the clutch manufacturer was the same who supplied the clutches for his tractors. In his warehouse he found a spare part which he thought suitable, and when it was installed the problem was solved.
 
  
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Ferruccio decided that his car was to have a [[V12]] engine, and enlisted the services of talented engineer [[Giotto Bizzarrini]], who had previously worked on a Ferrari V12. The new engine had 4 [[cam]]s, a short stroke and 2 big bore valves per cylinder, and developed a surprising 350 [[horsepower]] (260&nbsp;kW). The engine featured aluminium construction, with a [[crankshaft]] supported by seven main bearings, forged aluminium pistons, and [[camshafts]] with their own half-engine-speed sprocket and silent chain. The car the engine was mounted in was designed by [[Franco Scaglione]]'s Scaglione-Touring.
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== History ==
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[[Image:L1250.jpg|thumb|left|Ferruccio, the father of Lamborghini]]
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=== Origin ===
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As owner of a successful [[tractor]] and heating unit manufacturing business in the wake of [[World War II]], [[Ferruccio Lamborghini]] was able to cultivate an interest in sports cars. After owning a [[Mercedes-Benz 300SL]], a [[Jaguar E-Type]], and a [[Maserati 3500GT]], he bought his first [[Ferrari]], a [[Ferrari 250|250GT]]. He quickly became a Ferrari enthusiast, eventually coming to own three 250GTs. However, he frequently encountered problems with the cars, specifically the [[clutch]] mechanism. He brought his complaints directly to company owner [[Enzo Ferrari]], who took great offense at the notion of a tractor manufacturer criticizing the design of his precious cars, and let Lamborghini know as much, quoted as having said "the problem is not with the car, but rather, the driver". Insulted by Ferrari's reaction, Lamborghini took it upon himself to repair his car's clutch; in the process, he discovered that the design shared components with the clutches in the tractors manufactured by his own company. Encouraged by his discovery, and his desire to spite Ferrari, Lamborghini became inspired to create a [[grand tourer]] that would rival Ferrari's designs. He called upon the talents of automobile engineers [[Giotto Bizzarrini]] and [[Gian Paolo Dallara]], designer [[Franco Scaglione]], and an experienced driver from [[New Zealand]], Bob Wallace. Together, they developed a prototype automobile, the [[Lamborghini 350GTV|350GTV]], which would evolve into the first production Lamborghini, the [[Lamborghini 350GT|350GT]]; Automobili Lamborghini was born.
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[[Image:Lamborghini Miura Sinsheim.jpg|right|thumb|The famous Miura]]
  
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This [[Lamborghini 350GTV]] prototype began making public appearances in 1963, starting with the Turin Auto Show. Sales of the production model, known as the [[Lamborghini 350GT|350GT]], began the following year with great success, with over 130 examples sold. Born under the sign of the [[Taurus (astrology)|Taurus]], Ferruccio Lamborghini used the bull as the badge by which to mark his new automobile.
 
  
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===Under Ferruccio Lamborghini===
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=== Under Ferruccio Lamborghini ===
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The 350GT by Lamborghini was followed up by the [[Lamborghini 400GT|400GT]]. The excellent sales of the 400GT and its predecessor gave the company sufficient funds to design its first supercar - the now-legendary [[Lamborghini Miura]], which was premiered by Ferruccio himself in November 1965 at the Turin Auto Show. The car's engine was [[transverse engine|transversely]] mounted. The styling was executed by [[Marcello Gandini]] in less than a year; a completed car was displayed at the [[Geneva Auto Show]] in March, 1966 (the Turin car was only a chassis). The car's name was taken from that of a famed fighting-bull trainer, [[Don Eduardo Miura]]. The Miura was a success for Lamborghini: 111 were sold in 1967, and it propelled the company into the small world of exotic supercar manufacturers.  
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Ferruccio Lamborghini's fledgling automaker quickly achieved success with the 350GT, which the company soon followed up with the [[Lamborghini 400GT|400GT]] in 1966, along with Lamborghini's first truly iconic car, the flagship [[Lamborghini Miura|Miura]], which set a precedent for mid-engined two-seater high performance sports cars. The Miura was joined two years later by a four-seat grand tourer, the [[Lamborghini Espada|Espada]], and a replacement for the 400GT, the [[Lamborghini Islero|Islero]]. After only two years in production, the Islero was itself replaced by the [[Lamborghini Jarama|Jarama]], which was designed to take into account new U.S. safety and emissions legislation. 1970 also saw the introduction of the [[Lamborghini Urraco|Urraco]], a [[2+2 (car body style)|2+2]] that slotted just beneath the Miura in Lamborghini's lineup.
  
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At the same time, the Espada, a four-seat car based on the Marzal concept car, was developed. The name Espada means sword in Spanish, and referred to the sword used by the matador in bullfighting. Using the 4-litre V12 in a conventional layout up front, this low slung touring car could attain a top speed of around 150 mph in comfort. One interesting feature of the Espada was a glass taillight panel that used the same taillights as the contemporary Fiat 124 Coupe. The Espada received minor improvements in keeping with the time as the years went by, ending up with 3 different versions.
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1972 saw the first major setback for Ferruccio Lamborghini, as a massive tractor order from a South American buyer fell through. Lamborghini had invested heavily in his factories to accommodate the expected increase in demand; the ensuing debt forced him to sell part of his share in the tractor factory to the [[Fiat]] group. Eventually, the entire business was acquired by Italian tractor manufacturer [[Same Deutz-Fahr]], which continues to make Lamborghini tractors today. That same year, Lamborghini partnered with investor Georges-Henri Rossetti in his still profitable sports car business; he later sold his remaining share in Automobili Lamborghini to Swissman René Leimer, and left the automotive industry, retiring to a gentleman farmer's life on a [[vineyard]].
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[[Image:Lamborghini Countach LP500S.jpg|thumb|left|The Countach is widely considered{{By whom|date=July 2009}} to be the quintessential Lamborghini]]
  
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In 1971, Lamborghini brought the unusual-looking [[Lamborghini Countach#Prototype LP500|LP500 Countach]] prototype, named after an Italian slang term uttered in surprise by a person who had just seen the new car. The production [[Lamborghini Countach#Production LP400|LP400 Countach]] was introduced three years later. The prototype was the first car to sport Lamborghini's now-traditional scissor doors, along with vertically mounted rear air intakes. The same 4-litre V12 engine was used, an uprated 5-litre engine arriving later in the Countach production. The Countach was also one of the first cars to use the new Pirelli P-Zero tyres when they came out. Lamborghini's own test driver was sometimes the "chauffeur" for motoring magazines' journalists, and stories of the Countach's amazing high speed cornering, power and grip were common. Another point noted by journalists was the manner in which reversing a Countach was accomplished; raising the driver's door and sitting on the door sill.
 
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[[Image:Lamboghini traktor.jpg|thumb|Caption|Lamborghini tractor]]
 
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In 1972, however, the company suffered a major setback. A massive tractor order for a South American nation was cancelled, rendering upgrades Lamborghini had already made to its factories in anticipation of the demand useless. The money lost drove Ferruccio to sell part of his share in the tractor factory, which was taken over by [[Fiat]]. The tractor business was eventually acquired by SAME (now [[Same Deutz-Fahr]]). Lamborghini tractors are still sold today, as part of the SAME Deutz-Fahr Group.
 
  
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Throughout the seventies, sales of the Countach kept the company in business. Soon enough, the car division became self-sufficient and profitable. Lamborghini, however, sold all his remaining stock in the company to a Swiss investor, leaving the automotive industry behind to pursue wine making from the comfort of his villa in the countryside. Ferruccio Lamborghini died in February [[1993]] at the age of 76.
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=== Bankruptcy, Mimran, and Chrysler ===
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The [[1973 oil crisis]] plagued the sales of high performance cars from manufacturers around the world; the rising price of oil caused governments to mandate new [[Fuel economy in automobiles|fuel economy]] laws and consumers to seek smaller, more practical modes of transportation. As an automaker which produced V8 and V12-powered luxury sports cars with typically abysmal fuel efficiency, the effect on Lamborghini's business was devastating. In 1978, the company declared bankruptcy; an Italian court was appointed to find a buyer, and in 1984 the Swiss-based [[Patrick Mimran|Mimran]] brothers took over the company, after having managed it for four years while it was in [[receivership]]. The company remained solvent under the Mimrans' control, releasing the famous [[scissor door]]-equipped [[Lamborghini Countach|Countach]] in 1974, evolutions of the Urraco, the [[Lamborghini Silhouette|Silhouette]] and the [[Lamborghini Jalpa|Jalpa]], and the rare [[LM002]] [[sport utility vehicle]] in 1986.
  
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===Bankruptcy, Mimran, and Chrysler===
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In a surprising move, the company was bought by the [[Chrysler]] Corporation in 1987, with the acquisition being driven by [[Lee Iacocca]], Chrysler's chairman at the time. At the time, Lamborghini was working on a successor, the [[Lamborghini Diablo|Diablo]]. The Diablo's original design had been penned by famed Italian designer [[Marcello Gandini]], who had also developed the exterior appearances of the Miura and the Countach while working for the Italian [[coachbuilder]] [[Bertone]]. However, Chrysler executives, unimpressed with Gandini's work, commissioned the American car-maker's own design team to execute a third extensive redesign of the car's body, smoothing out the trademark sharp edges and corner's of Gandini's original design; the Italian was left famously unimpressed with the finished product. On the positive side, Chrysler's experience improved areas which had previously been left neglected, including noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) engineering, manufacturing techniques, practicality, and ergonomics. The Diablo was released to the public on [[January 21]], [[1990]], at an event at the [[Monte_Carlo#H.C3.B4tel_de_Paris|Hotel de Paris]] in [[Monte Carlo]].
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The [[1970s]] oil crisis plagued sales of high performance cars, and Lamborghini suffered budget and parts supply problems; cars were sold with two-year back orders, and customers became fed up with waiting for their cars. Also, Lamborghinis were never raced and were never fully developed; the company developed a reputation of building toys for rich playboys when [[Ferrari]] and [[Porsche]], and [[Maserati]] before them built illustrious careers in the racing world. Since the beginning the cars had continuous and expensive reliability problems, in the '70s things became even worse, as cars now had to meet US emission requirements.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} All these factors contributed to the company's demise. Like many other exotic Italian automobiles, the quality of the components used were often of poor quality. In 1978, Lamborghini declared bankruptcy. An Italian court was appointed to find a buyer, and the Swiss-based Mimran brothers took over the company. The [[1980s]] saw things turn around for Lamborghini under its new ownership.
 
  
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In a surprise move, the company was sold to the [[Chrysler]] Corporation in 1987. Lamborghini at the time was working on the Countach's successor, the [[Lamborghini Diablo|Diablo]]. Chrysler brought its vast resources to the playing field, along with design input, pollution controls, and new manufacturing techniques. The end result was another success for the company. The [[Lamborghini Diablo]] received fame much like that of its predecessor, and once again put the manufacturer on top of its game.
 
  
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===Post-Chrysler: Megatech and Audi===
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=== Post-Chrysler: Megatech and Audi ===
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In 1994, Chrysler was forced to sell Lamborghini to an Indonesian investment group headed by [[Tommy Suharto]]. The sale was due to poor economic circumstances for Chrysler, much like those which would later force the Indonesians to sell the company in the late [[1990s]]. By then however, the German car company [[Audi]] AG had gained interest in the ailing Italian company, and in 1998, in a complex series of transactions, became the sole owner of Automobili Lamborghini.  
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In January 1994, poor economic circumstances and internal political climate forced Chrysler to sell Lamborghini to [[Megatech (Indonesian company)|Megatech]], an Indonesian investment group headed by [[Tommy Suharto]], the youngest son of then-[[Indonesia]]n President [[Suharto]]. A new management team, headed by ex-[[Lotus Cars|Lotus Group]] chief executive Mike Kimberley and ex-[[McLaren Automotive|McLaren Cars]] head of sales Nigel Gordon-Stewart. Kimberley was well known to senior Chrysler management from his previous roles at Lotus and [[General Motors]].
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[[Image:DiabloSE 30.jpg|right|thumb|The Diablo was Lamborghini's only car throughout most of the 90s]]
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Under new ownership and management, Lamborghini's worldwide presence underwent sweeping changes, with its international dealer network and marketing strategies undergoing a complete revision. Sales tripled from just 101 cars in 1993 to 301 in 1994, and grew again to 414 in 1995. Cars sold well thanks to aggressive, proactive [[marketing]] programs, which reinforced the exclusive image and premium value that Lamborghini cars came to embody.
  
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Lamborghini's latest owner once again greatly influenced the design of its cars, such as today's [[Lamborghini Murcielago|Murcielago]]. Audi's vast technical resources helped produce one of Lamborghini's most sophisticated two-seaters to date.
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Lamborghini would release no all-new cars during the difficult decade of the 90s. In 1995, an upgrade to the Diablo, the Diablo SV (Sport Veloce) was launched. Inspired by the Miura SV, the newest Diablo featured a more powerful V12 engine, and became the best-selling version of Lamborghini's flagship car. However, after only one year of Indonesian ownership, Mike Kimberley's business plan found itself without funding, as changing economic conditions led [[Megatech (Indonesian company)|Megatech]], which would later become notorious for allegedly running American supercar maker [[Vector Motors]] into the ground, to sell its shares in the Italian company. After only three years under the combined ownership of companies V'Power and Mycom Sedtco, Lamborghini was purchased by German automaker [[Audi|Audi AG]], who had gained interest in the Italian company after being approached as possible component suppliers for future Lamborghini models. After a series of complex transactions, Audi became the sole owner of the troubled Italian company.
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[[Image:Lamborghini Murcielago front left1.jpg|left|thumb|The Murcielago is Lamborghini's current flagship model]]
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In much the same way that American ownership had influenced the design of the Diablo, Lamborghini's new German parent played a large role in the creation of the Diablo's replacement. The first new Lamborghini in more than a decade, the [[Lamborghini Murciélago|Murciélago]] was also named for a famed [[Spanish Fighting Bull|fighting bull]], and was styled by Belgian [[Luc Donckerwolke]], Lamborghini's new head of design.
  
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Lamborghini's cars are among the most powerful, expensive and exclusive serial-manufactured cars on the road today. Lamborghini's various models have different exclusive features, such as [[carbon fiber]] construction, high-tech [[V10 engine|V10]] and [[V12 engine]]s, and styling penciled by such names as [[Franco Scaglione]], [[Touring of Milan]], [[Zagato]], [[Mario Marazzi]], [[Bertone]], [[ItalDesign]] and [[Marcello Gandini]].
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Under German ownership, Lamborghini found stability that it had not seen in many years. The automaker's cars, which despite being exotic and endearing were notoriously unreliable, benefited from renowned German engineering knowledge and have resulted in the production of cars that preserve Italian eccentricity while displaying the hallmarks of German efficiency. In 2003, Lamborghini followed up the Murciélago with the smaller, V10-equipped [[Lamborghini Gallardo|Gallardo]], intended to be a more accessible and more livable than the Murciélago. The latest all-new model to be released was the [[Lamborghini Reventón|Reventón]], an extremely limited-edition [[supercar]] that carries the distinction of being the most powerful and expensive Lamborghini ever sold. In 2007, [[Wolfgang Egger]] was appointed as the new head of design of Audi and Lamborghini, replacing [[Walter de'Silva]], who was responsible for the design of only one Lamborghini, the [[Lamborghini_Murciélago#Lamborghini_Miura_Concept|Miura Concept]] of 2006. The newest Lamborghini car is the 2009 [[Lamborghini_Murciélago#LP_670-4_SuperVeloce|Murciélago LP 670-4 SV]], a highly refined model that marks the end of the Murciélago's eight-year production run; a replacement for Lamborghini's halo car is expected in 2010.
  
 
==Partnerships==
 
==Partnerships==
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|[[Lamborghini Jarama|Jarama]]||1970-1978||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929&nbsp;cc
 
|[[Lamborghini Jarama|Jarama]]||1970-1978||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929&nbsp;cc
 
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|-
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|[[Lamborghini Urraco|Urraco]]||1970-1979||[[Lamborghini V8]]||2463&nbsp;cc/2996&nbsp;cc/1994&nbsp;cc
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|[[Lamborghini Urraco|Urraco]]||1970-1979||[[Lamborghini V8]]||2463&nbsp;cc / 2996&nbsp;cc / 1994&nbsp;cc
 
|-
 
|-
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|[[Lamborghini Countach|Countach]]||1974-1989||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929&nbsp;cc/4754&nbsp;cc/5167&nbsp;cc
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|[[Lamborghini Countach|Countach]]||1974-1989||[[Lamborghini V12]]||3929&nbsp;cc / 4754&nbsp;cc / 5167&nbsp;cc
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Lamborghini Silhouette|Silhouette]]||1976-1977||[[Lamborghini V8]]||2996&nbsp;cc
 
|[[Lamborghini Silhouette|Silhouette]]||1976-1977||[[Lamborghini V8]]||2996&nbsp;cc
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|-
 
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|[[Lamborghini Gallardo|Gallardo]]||2003-Present||[[Lamborghini V10]]||4961&nbsp;cc
 
|[[Lamborghini Gallardo|Gallardo]]||2003-Present||[[Lamborghini V10]]||4961&nbsp;cc
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|-
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|[[Lamborghini Reventón|Reventón]]''' ||2008 ||[[Lamborghini V12]]||6496 cc
 
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Lamborghini's outrageous supercar models have brought Lamborghini much fame. The Miura, the Countach, the Diablo, and the Murciélago, continue to be some of the most desired super cars of all time. The current (2007) range consists of the [[Lamborghini Murciélago#LP640|Murciélago LP640]], the [[Lamborghini Murciélago#LP640 Roadster |Murciélago LP640 Roadster]] and the smaller, less expensive Gallardo, Gallardo Spyder and Gallardo Superleggera. All are extremely fast, mid-engined 2-seaters with Lamborghini's standard all-wheel drive systems. Their styling is largely the work of Belgian designer [[Luc Donckerwolke]]. Future models may include a rear-wheel-drive version of the Gallardo and possibly an SUV in the spirit of the [[Lamborghini LM002|LM002]] might also appear. The next generation of Lamborghini models will be penned by [[Walter de'Silva]], who designed the 2006 [[Lamborghini Miura#2006 Miura concept|Miura concept]] car and who replaced Luc Donckerwolke as head of Centro Stile Lamborghini, Lamborghini's in-house design department.
 
Lamborghini's outrageous supercar models have brought Lamborghini much fame. The Miura, the Countach, the Diablo, and the Murciélago, continue to be some of the most desired super cars of all time. The current (2007) range consists of the [[Lamborghini Murciélago#LP640|Murciélago LP640]], the [[Lamborghini Murciélago#LP640 Roadster |Murciélago LP640 Roadster]] and the smaller, less expensive Gallardo, Gallardo Spyder and Gallardo Superleggera. All are extremely fast, mid-engined 2-seaters with Lamborghini's standard all-wheel drive systems. Their styling is largely the work of Belgian designer [[Luc Donckerwolke]]. Future models may include a rear-wheel-drive version of the Gallardo and possibly an SUV in the spirit of the [[Lamborghini LM002|LM002]] might also appear. The next generation of Lamborghini models will be penned by [[Walter de'Silva]], who designed the 2006 [[Lamborghini Miura#2006 Miura concept|Miura concept]] car and who replaced Luc Donckerwolke as head of Centro Stile Lamborghini, Lamborghini's in-house design department.
  
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===Racing Models===
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== The bullfighting legacy ==
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[[Image:Lamborghini logotype.jpg|thumb|left|200px|'''The Lamborghini wordmark, as displayed on the back of its cars''']]
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The company's crest, which prominently features a [[Bovinae|bull]], was taken from Ferruccio's [[zodiac]] sign, [[Taurus (astrology)|Taurus]]. After producing two cars with alphanumeric designations, Lamborghini decided to name his next car, the Miura, after a famous breeder of [[Spanish Fighting Bull|fighting bulls]], Don Eduardo Miura. The Islero was named after the Miura bull that killed famed ''[[Torero (bullfighter)|matador]]'' [[Manolete]] on August 28, 1947. The Espada was named for the matador's ''espada'', the sword he uses to slay the bull, a word which is also used colloquially for the matadors themselves. The Jarama's name had an interesting double meaning: [[Jarama]] is an area renowned both for its bullfighting history and for its [[Circuito Permanente Del Jarama|motor racing circuit]].
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After years of salutes to the world of bullfighting, Lamborghini broke from tradition in 1974. The Countach was named not for a bull, but for ''countach!'' ({{pronounced|kunˈtɑtʃ|Ipa-countach.ogg}}), an exclamation of astonishment in the local [[Piedmontese language]]&nbsp;— generally used by men upon seeing an extremely beautiful woman. Legend has it that [[Nuccio Bertone]] uttered the word in surprise upon first laying eyes on "Project 112", which would become the Countach.
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Later company owners reverted back to bullfighting associations. The Diablo was also named for a fighting bull, as was the Murciélago's [[Murciélago|namesake]]. The Gallardo is named for a bull caste ancestral to the Miura breed, and the rare [[Lamborghini Reventón|Reventón]] carries the name of the bull that defeated ''matador'' Félix Guzmán in 1943.
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== Motorsport ==
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[[Image:Lamborghini miura svj spider 4808.jpg|thumb|right|The Miura began as a clandestine racing prototype developed by Lamborghini engineers against F. Lamborghini's wishes]]
 
See also [[Modena (racing team)]]
 
See also [[Modena (racing team)]]
  
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Ferruccio Lamborghini had set a rule that Lamborghini would not be involved in motor racing.  He saw such a program as too expensive and too demanding in company resources.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} Consequently, no Lamborghini racing car was fabricated under his management. The closest the company came to building racing cars at that time was when the company's test driver Bob Wallace made a few highly modified protoypes based on existing models. Notable among these are the Muira SV based ''Jota'' and the Jarama S based ''Bob Wallace Special''.
 
  
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Under the management of Rosetti, Lamborghini entered into an agreement with [[BMW]] to build a production racing car in sufficient quantity for homologation. However, Lamborghini found itself unable to fulfill their part of the agreement. The car was eventually developed in-house by the BMW Motorsport Division, and was manufactured and sold as the [[BMW M1]].
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In contrast to his rival Enzo Ferrari, Ferruccio Lamborghini had decided early on that there would be no factory-supported racing of Lamborghinis, viewing motorsport as too expensive and too draining on company resources. This was unusual for the time, as many sports car manufacturers sought to demonstrate the speed, reliability, and technical superiority through motorsport participation. Enzo Ferrari in particular was known for considering his road car business merely a source of funding for his participation in motor racing. Ferrucio's policy led to tensions between him and his engineers, many of whom were racing enthusiasts; some had previously worked at Ferrari. The engineers decided to ignore their chief's whims, using their spare time to develop a mid-engined car with racing pedigree. Lamborghini soon learned of the project, and decided to allow the men to continue their project, with the continued insistence that no racing models would be allowed. Ironically, when the engineers' pet project was released as a production model a few years later, it would become the car that would propel the automaker to widespread fame and set the benchmark for future high-powered sports cars; that car was the Miura.
  
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Lamborghini developed the QVX for the 1986 [[Group C]] championship season.  One car was built, but lack of sponsorship caused it to miss the season. The QVX competed in only one race, the non-championship 1986 Southern Suns 500 km race at [[Kyalami]] in [[South Africa]], driven by [[Tiff Needell]].  Despite the car finishing better than it started, sponsorship could not be found and the program was cancelled.
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The closest the company came to building a true race car under Lamborghini's supervision were a few highly modified prototypes, including those built by factory test driver Bob Wallace, such as the Miura SV-based "Jota" and the Jarama S-based "Bob Wallace Special". Under the management of Georges-Henri Rossetti, Lamborghini entered into an agreement with [[BMW]] to build a production racing car in sufficient quantity for [[homologation]]. However, Lamborghini was unable to fulfill its part of the agreement. The car was eventually developed in-house by the BMW Motorsport Division, and was manufactured and sold as the [[BMW M1]].
  
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Lamborghini was an engine supplier in [[Formula One]] between the [[1989 Formula One season|1989]] and [[1993 Formula One season]]s. It supplied engines to [[Larousse]], [[Ligier]], [[Team Lotus|Lotus]], [[Minardi]] and to a '[[Modena (racing team)|Lamborghini]]' team, although this last was not viewed as a works team by the car company.  Late in 1991, a Lamborghini Formula One motor would be used in the [[Konrad KM-011]] [[Group C]] sports car, but the car would only last a few races before the project was cancelled. The same engine, badged as a [[Chrysler]] by Lamborghini's then parent company, was tested by [[McLaren]] towards the end of the 1993 season, with a view to its use during the [[1994 Formula One season|1994 season]]. Although driver Ayrton Senna was reportedly impressed with the engine's performance, McLaren pulled out of negotiations, choosing a [[Peugeot]] engine instead, and Chrysler ended the project.
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[[Image:Lotus 102B.jpg|thumb|left|The 1991 [[Lotus 102]]B, which featured a [[Judd (engine)|Judd]] V8 in place of the unreliable Lamborghini V12 used in the 101 and 102]]
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In the 1980s, Lamborghini developed the QVX for the 1986 [[Group C]] championship season. One car was built, but lack of sponsorship caused it to miss the season. The QVX competed in only one race, the non-championship 1986 Southern Suns 500&nbsp;km race at [[Kyalami]] in [[South Africa]], driven by [[Tiff Needell]]. Despite the car finishing better than it started, sponsorship could once again not be found and the program was cancelled.
  
−
Two racing versions of the Diablo were built for the Diablo Supertrophy, a single-model racing series held annually from 1996 to 1999. In the first year, the model used in the series was the Diablo SVR, while the Diablo 6.0 GTR was used for the remaining three years.
+
Lamborghini was an engine supplier in [[Formula One]] between the [[1989 Formula One season|1989]] and [[1993 Formula One season]]s. It supplied engines to [[Larrousse]] (1989-1990,1992-1993), [[Team Lotus|Lotus]] (1990), [[Ligier]] (1991), [[Minardi]] (1992), and to the [[Modena (racing team)|Modena]] team in 1991. While the latter is commonly referred to as a factory team, the company saw themselves as a supplier, not a backer. The 1992 Larrousse–Lamborghini was largely uncompetitive but noteworthy in its tendency to spew oil from its exhaust system. Cars following closely behind the Larrousse were commonly colored yellowish-brown by the end of the race.
  
−
Lamborghini developed the Murciélago R-GT as a production racing car to compete in the [[FIA GT Championship]], the [[Super GT]] Championship and the [[American Le Mans Series]] in 2004. Their highest placing in any race that year was the opening round of the FIA GT Championship at [[Circuit de Valencia|Valencia]], where the car entered by [[Reiter Engineering]] finished third from a fifth-place start. In 2006 during the opening round of the Super GT championship at [[Suzuka Circuit|Suzuka]], a car run by the [[Japan Lamborghini Owners Club]] garnered the first victory (in class) by an R-GT.
+
In late 1991, a Lamborghini Formula One motor was used in the [[Konrad KM-011]] [[Group C]] sports car, but the car only lasted a few races before the project was canceled. The same engine, re-badged a [[Chrysler]] by Lamborghini's then parent company, was tested by [[McLaren (racing)|McLaren]] towards the end of the 1993 season, with the intent of using it during the [[1994 Formula One season|1994 season]]. Although driver [[Ayrton Senna]] was reportedly impressed with the engine's performance, McLaren pulled out of negotiations, choosing a [[Peugeot]] engine instead, and Chrysler ended the project.
 +
[[Image:Reiter Lambo.jpg|thumb|right|A Murcielago R-GT participating in the FIA GT Championship at [[Silverstone]] in 2006]]
 +
 
 +
Two racing versions of the Diablo were built for the Diablo Supertrophy, a single-model racing series held annually from 1996 to 1999. In the first year, the model used in the series was the Diablo SVR, while the Diablo 6.0 GTR was used for the remaining three years.
 +
 
 +
Lamborghini developed the Murciélago R-GT as a production racing car to compete in the [[FIA GT Championship]], the [[Super GT]] Championship and the [[American Le Mans Series]] in 2004. The car's highest placing in any race that year was the opening round of the FIA GT Championship at [[Circuit de Valencia|Valencia]], where the car entered by [[Reiter Engineering]] finished third from a fifth-place start. In 2006, during the opening round of the Super GT championship at [[Suzuka Circuit|Suzuka]], a car run by the Japan Lamborghini Owners Club garnered the first victory (in class) by an R-GT.
 +
 
 +
A [[FIA GT3 European Championship|GT3]] version of the Gallardo has been developed by [[Reiter Engineering]].
 +
 
 +
A Murciélago R-GT entered by All-Inkl.com racing, driven by [[Christophe Bouchut]] and Stefan Mücke, won the opening round of the [[FIA GT Championship]] held at [[Zhuhai International Circuit]], achieving the first major international race victory for Lamborghini.
 +
 
 +
== Annual sales ==
 +
 
 +
{| border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=4 style="float:center; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:600px; background:#505050; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
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|- style="text-align:center; background:#505050;"
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|- tr BGCOLOR=darkred
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|+Sales under Audi AG ownership
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!rowspan=2| Year
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!colspan=50| Sales
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|- style="font-size:65%; text-align:right;"
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|width="20" colspan=2|
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|width="20" colspan=2| 500
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|width="20" colspan=2|
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|width="20" colspan=2|
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|width="20" colspan=2|
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|width="20" colspan=2|
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|width="20" colspan=2| 1,000
 +
|width="20" colspan=2|
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|width="20" colspan=2|
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|width="20" colspan=2|
 +
|width="20" colspan=2|
 +
|width="20" colspan=2| 1,500
 +
|width="20" colspan=2|
 +
|width="20" colspan=2|
 +
|width="20" colspan=2|
 +
|width="20" colspan=2|
 +
|width="20" colspan=2| 2,000
 +
|width="20" colspan=2|
 +
|width="20" colspan=2|
 +
|width="20" colspan=2|
 +
|width="20" colspan=2|
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|width="20" colspan=2| 2,500
 +
|-
 +
!1996
 +
|colspan=4 bgcolor=#505050 align="right"|'''211'''
 +
|colspan=46 bgcolor=#8c8c8c |&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
!colspan=51|Audi Takeover in 1998
 +
|-
 +
!2002
 +
|colspan=8 bgcolor=#505050 align="right"|'''424'''
 +
|colspan=42 bgcolor=#8c8c8c |&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
!2003
 +
|colspan=26 bgcolor=#505050 align="right"|'''1,305'''
 +
|colspan=24 bgcolor=#8c8c8c |&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
!2004
 +
|colspan=30 bgcolor=#505050 align="right"|'''1,592'''
 +
|colspan=20 bgcolor=#8c8c8c |&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
!2005
 +
|colspan=30 bgcolor=#505050 align="right"|'''1,600'''
 +
|colspan=20 bgcolor=#8c8c8c |&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
!2006
 +
|colspan=40 bgcolor=#505050 align="right"|'''2,087'''
 +
|colspan=10 bgcolor=#8c8c8c |&nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
!2007
 +
|colspan=50 bgcolor=#505050 align="right"|'''2,406'''
 +
|-
 +
!2008
 +
|colspan=50 bgcolor=#505050 align="right"|'''2,430'''
 +
|}
  
−
A [[FIA GT3 European Championship|GT3]] version of the Gallardo has been developed by Reiter Engineering.
 
  
−
A Murciélago R-GT entered by All-Inkl.com racing, driven by [[Christophe Bouchut]] and [[Stefan Mucke]], won the opening round of the [[FIA GT Championship]] held at [[Zhuhai International Circuit]], achieving the first major international race victory for Lamborghini.
 
  
 
==Ownership==
 
==Ownership==
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* [[V'Power, Mycom]] 1995–1998  
 
* [[V'Power, Mycom]] 1995–1998  
 
* [[Audi|Audi AG]] 1998-present
 
* [[Audi|Audi AG]] 1998-present
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==Foreign operations==
 
==Foreign operations==
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[[Lamborghini Value in Italy (Euro)]]
 
[[Lamborghini Value in Italy (Euro)]]
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[[Lamborghini Videos]]
 
  
  
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* [http://www.premier-motorcars.com '''Great Place to Buy Your Lambo''']
 
* [http://www.premier-motorcars.com '''Great Place to Buy Your Lambo''']
  
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[[Image:4102_2737 copy.jpg|right|105px]]
  
 
{{Lamborghini}}
 
{{Lamborghini}}
 
{{Lamborghini early timeline}}
 
{{Lamborghini early timeline}}
 
{{Lamborghini modern timeline}}
 
{{Lamborghini modern timeline}}
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Send what you have to:
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{{A-Z multipage list|Car Information and Photos by Marque|Information and Photos by Marque|}}
 
{{A-Z multipage list|Car Information and Photos by Marque|Information and Photos by Marque|}}
 
{{A-Z multipage list|Motorcycle Information and Photos by Marque|Motorcycle Information and Photos by Marque|}}
 
{{A-Z multipage list|Motorcycle Information and Photos by Marque|Motorcycle Information and Photos by Marque|}}
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{{Car Information and Photos by Marque}}
 
{{Car Information and Photos by Marque}}
 
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{{Motorcycle Information and Photos by Marque}}
  
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[[Category:Sports cars]]
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[[Category:Car manufacturers of Italy]]
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[[Category: Cars]]

Latest revision as of 08:47, 6 November 2011

90px
History of Lamborghini
File:Lambo Diablo WOI.jpg
Lamborghini Diablo at Wheels Of Italy


Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commonly referred to as Lamborghini, is an Italian manufacturer of high performance sports cars (supercar) based in the small Italian village of Sant'Agata Bolognese, near Bologna. Lamborghini is now a subsidiary of German car manufacturer Audi AG, which is in turn a subsidiary of Volkswagen. Lamborghini is the main counterpart to Ferrari in the Italian sports car business. The Italian company was founded in 1963 by businessman Ferruccio Lamborghini (April 28, 1916 February 20, 1993), who owned a successful tractor factory, Lamborghini Trattori S.p.A..


History

Ferruccio, the father of Lamborghini

Origin

As owner of a successful tractor and heating unit manufacturing business in the wake of World War II, Ferruccio Lamborghini was able to cultivate an interest in sports cars. After owning a Mercedes-Benz 300SL, a Jaguar E-Type, and a Maserati 3500GT, he bought his first Ferrari, a 250GT. He quickly became a Ferrari enthusiast, eventually coming to own three 250GTs. However, he frequently encountered problems with the cars, specifically the clutch mechanism. He brought his complaints directly to company owner Enzo Ferrari, who took great offense at the notion of a tractor manufacturer criticizing the design of his precious cars, and let Lamborghini know as much, quoted as having said "the problem is not with the car, but rather, the driver". Insulted by Ferrari's reaction, Lamborghini took it upon himself to repair his car's clutch; in the process, he discovered that the design shared components with the clutches in the tractors manufactured by his own company. Encouraged by his discovery, and his desire to spite Ferrari, Lamborghini became inspired to create a grand tourer that would rival Ferrari's designs. He called upon the talents of automobile engineers Giotto Bizzarrini and Gian Paolo Dallara, designer Franco Scaglione, and an experienced driver from New Zealand, Bob Wallace. Together, they developed a prototype automobile, the 350GTV, which would evolve into the first production Lamborghini, the 350GT; Automobili Lamborghini was born.

The famous Miura


Under Ferruccio Lamborghini

Ferruccio Lamborghini's fledgling automaker quickly achieved success with the 350GT, which the company soon followed up with the 400GT in 1966, along with Lamborghini's first truly iconic car, the flagship Miura, which set a precedent for mid-engined two-seater high performance sports cars. The Miura was joined two years later by a four-seat grand tourer, the Espada, and a replacement for the 400GT, the Islero. After only two years in production, the Islero was itself replaced by the Jarama, which was designed to take into account new U.S. safety and emissions legislation. 1970 also saw the introduction of the Urraco, a 2+2 that slotted just beneath the Miura in Lamborghini's lineup.

1972 saw the first major setback for Ferruccio Lamborghini, as a massive tractor order from a South American buyer fell through. Lamborghini had invested heavily in his factories to accommodate the expected increase in demand; the ensuing debt forced him to sell part of his share in the tractor factory to the Fiat group. Eventually, the entire business was acquired by Italian tractor manufacturer Same Deutz-Fahr, which continues to make Lamborghini tractors today. That same year, Lamborghini partnered with investor Georges-Henri Rossetti in his still profitable sports car business; he later sold his remaining share in Automobili Lamborghini to Swissman René Leimer, and left the automotive industry, retiring to a gentleman farmer's life on a vineyard.

The Countach is widely consideredTemplate:By whom to be the quintessential Lamborghini


Bankruptcy, Mimran, and Chrysler

The 1973 oil crisis plagued the sales of high performance cars from manufacturers around the world; the rising price of oil caused governments to mandate new fuel economy laws and consumers to seek smaller, more practical modes of transportation. As an automaker which produced V8 and V12-powered luxury sports cars with typically abysmal fuel efficiency, the effect on Lamborghini's business was devastating. In 1978, the company declared bankruptcy; an Italian court was appointed to find a buyer, and in 1984 the Swiss-based Mimran brothers took over the company, after having managed it for four years while it was in receivership. The company remained solvent under the Mimrans' control, releasing the famous scissor door-equipped Countach in 1974, evolutions of the Urraco, the Silhouette and the Jalpa, and the rare LM002 sport utility vehicle in 1986.

In a surprising move, the company was bought by the Chrysler Corporation in 1987, with the acquisition being driven by Lee Iacocca, Chrysler's chairman at the time. At the time, Lamborghini was working on a successor, the Diablo. The Diablo's original design had been penned by famed Italian designer Marcello Gandini, who had also developed the exterior appearances of the Miura and the Countach while working for the Italian coachbuilder Bertone. However, Chrysler executives, unimpressed with Gandini's work, commissioned the American car-maker's own design team to execute a third extensive redesign of the car's body, smoothing out the trademark sharp edges and corner's of Gandini's original design; the Italian was left famously unimpressed with the finished product. On the positive side, Chrysler's experience improved areas which had previously been left neglected, including noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) engineering, manufacturing techniques, practicality, and ergonomics. The Diablo was released to the public on January 21, 1990, at an event at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo.


Post-Chrysler: Megatech and Audi

In January 1994, poor economic circumstances and internal political climate forced Chrysler to sell Lamborghini to Megatech, an Indonesian investment group headed by Tommy Suharto, the youngest son of then-Indonesian President Suharto. A new management team, headed by ex-Lotus Group chief executive Mike Kimberley and ex-McLaren Cars head of sales Nigel Gordon-Stewart. Kimberley was well known to senior Chrysler management from his previous roles at Lotus and General Motors.

The Diablo was Lamborghini's only car throughout most of the 90s

Under new ownership and management, Lamborghini's worldwide presence underwent sweeping changes, with its international dealer network and marketing strategies undergoing a complete revision. Sales tripled from just 101 cars in 1993 to 301 in 1994, and grew again to 414 in 1995. Cars sold well thanks to aggressive, proactive marketing programs, which reinforced the exclusive image and premium value that Lamborghini cars came to embody.

Lamborghini would release no all-new cars during the difficult decade of the 90s. In 1995, an upgrade to the Diablo, the Diablo SV (Sport Veloce) was launched. Inspired by the Miura SV, the newest Diablo featured a more powerful V12 engine, and became the best-selling version of Lamborghini's flagship car. However, after only one year of Indonesian ownership, Mike Kimberley's business plan found itself without funding, as changing economic conditions led Megatech, which would later become notorious for allegedly running American supercar maker Vector Motors into the ground, to sell its shares in the Italian company. After only three years under the combined ownership of companies V'Power and Mycom Sedtco, Lamborghini was purchased by German automaker Audi AG, who had gained interest in the Italian company after being approached as possible component suppliers for future Lamborghini models. After a series of complex transactions, Audi became the sole owner of the troubled Italian company.

The Murcielago is Lamborghini's current flagship model

In much the same way that American ownership had influenced the design of the Diablo, Lamborghini's new German parent played a large role in the creation of the Diablo's replacement. The first new Lamborghini in more than a decade, the Murciélago was also named for a famed fighting bull, and was styled by Belgian Luc Donckerwolke, Lamborghini's new head of design.

Under German ownership, Lamborghini found stability that it had not seen in many years. The automaker's cars, which despite being exotic and endearing were notoriously unreliable, benefited from renowned German engineering knowledge and have resulted in the production of cars that preserve Italian eccentricity while displaying the hallmarks of German efficiency. In 2003, Lamborghini followed up the Murciélago with the smaller, V10-equipped Gallardo, intended to be a more accessible and more livable than the Murciélago. The latest all-new model to be released was the Reventón, an extremely limited-edition supercar that carries the distinction of being the most powerful and expensive Lamborghini ever sold. In 2007, Wolfgang Egger was appointed as the new head of design of Audi and Lamborghini, replacing Walter de'Silva, who was responsible for the design of only one Lamborghini, the Miura Concept of 2006. The newest Lamborghini car is the 2009 Murciélago LP 670-4 SV, a highly refined model that marks the end of the Murciélago's eight-year production run; a replacement for Lamborghini's halo car is expected in 2010.

Partnerships

In 2006, Lamborghini partnered with Asus to produce the Asus Lamborghini VX series of notebook computers. The current VX notebooks are VX1 and VX2. Both feature the Lamborghini logo on the lid, and both are relatively powerful, with the later VX2 featuring a Core 2 Duo processor clocked at 2.16 GHz, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, and an nVidia GeForce Go 7700 graphics card with 512MB


Models

Lamborghini's products include the 350GTV (1963), 350GT (1964), 400GT 2+2 (1966), Miura (1966), Espada (1968), Jarama (1970), Countach (1974), Silhouette (1976), Jalpa (1981), Diablo (1990) and the Murciélago (2001) as well as the Lamborghini LM002 (1986) off-road vehicle of which Road and Track magazine said, "With the 5.2 litre V-12, the LM002 can pass anything on the road—except a gas station".

The current (2005) range consists of the Murciélago, the Murciélago Roadster and the smaller, cheaper Gallardo. All are very fast, mid-engined 2-seaters with four-wheel-drive as standard. The styling is largely the work of Belgian designer Luc Donckerwolke.

Model List and Pics

Vehicle Year Engine Displacement
350GT 1964-1968 Lamborghini V12 3464 cc
400GT 1964-1968 Lamborghini V12 3929 cc
Miura 1966-1973 Lamborghini V12 3929 cc
Espada 1968-1978 Lamborghini V12 3929 cc
Islero 1968-1970 Lamborghini V12 3929 cc
Jarama 1970-1978 Lamborghini V12 3929 cc
Urraco 1970-1979 Lamborghini V8 2463 cc / 2996 cc / 1994 cc
Countach 1974-1989 Lamborghini V12 3929 cc / 4754 cc / 5167 cc
Silhouette 1976-1977 Lamborghini V8 2996 cc
Jalpa 1982-1989 Lamborghini V8 3485 cc
LM002 1986-1992 Lamborghini V12 5167 cc
Diablo 1990-2000 Lamborghini V12 5707 cc
Murciélago 2002-Present Lamborghini V12 6192 cc
Gallardo 2003-Present Lamborghini V10 4961 cc
Reventón 2008 Lamborghini V12 6496 cc


New Models and New Prototypes

2006 Gallardo SE

2006 Gallardo Spider

2006 Murcielago Spider

2006 Mura Prototype

Concept Cars by Italdesign


Lamborghini's outrageous supercar models have brought Lamborghini much fame. The Miura, the Countach, the Diablo, and the Murciélago, continue to be some of the most desired super cars of all time. The current (2007) range consists of the Murciélago LP640, the Murciélago LP640 Roadster and the smaller, less expensive Gallardo, Gallardo Spyder and Gallardo Superleggera. All are extremely fast, mid-engined 2-seaters with Lamborghini's standard all-wheel drive systems. Their styling is largely the work of Belgian designer Luc Donckerwolke. Future models may include a rear-wheel-drive version of the Gallardo and possibly an SUV in the spirit of the LM002 might also appear. The next generation of Lamborghini models will be penned by Walter de'Silva, who designed the 2006 Miura concept car and who replaced Luc Donckerwolke as head of Centro Stile Lamborghini, Lamborghini's in-house design department.


The bullfighting legacy

The Lamborghini wordmark, as displayed on the back of its cars

The company's crest, which prominently features a bull, was taken from Ferruccio's zodiac sign, Taurus. After producing two cars with alphanumeric designations, Lamborghini decided to name his next car, the Miura, after a famous breeder of fighting bulls, Don Eduardo Miura. The Islero was named after the Miura bull that killed famed matador Manolete on August 28, 1947. The Espada was named for the matador's espada, the sword he uses to slay the bull, a word which is also used colloquially for the matadors themselves. The Jarama's name had an interesting double meaning: Jarama is an area renowned both for its bullfighting history and for its motor racing circuit.

After years of salutes to the world of bullfighting, Lamborghini broke from tradition in 1974. The Countach was named not for a bull, but for countach! (Template:Pronounced), an exclamation of astonishment in the local Piedmontese language — generally used by men upon seeing an extremely beautiful woman. Legend has it that Nuccio Bertone uttered the word in surprise upon first laying eyes on "Project 112", which would become the Countach.

Later company owners reverted back to bullfighting associations. The Diablo was also named for a fighting bull, as was the Murciélago's namesake. The Gallardo is named for a bull caste ancestral to the Miura breed, and the rare Reventón carries the name of the bull that defeated matador Félix Guzmán in 1943.

Motorsport

The Miura began as a clandestine racing prototype developed by Lamborghini engineers against F. Lamborghini's wishes

See also Modena (racing team)


In contrast to his rival Enzo Ferrari, Ferruccio Lamborghini had decided early on that there would be no factory-supported racing of Lamborghinis, viewing motorsport as too expensive and too draining on company resources. This was unusual for the time, as many sports car manufacturers sought to demonstrate the speed, reliability, and technical superiority through motorsport participation. Enzo Ferrari in particular was known for considering his road car business merely a source of funding for his participation in motor racing. Ferrucio's policy led to tensions between him and his engineers, many of whom were racing enthusiasts; some had previously worked at Ferrari. The engineers decided to ignore their chief's whims, using their spare time to develop a mid-engined car with racing pedigree. Lamborghini soon learned of the project, and decided to allow the men to continue their project, with the continued insistence that no racing models would be allowed. Ironically, when the engineers' pet project was released as a production model a few years later, it would become the car that would propel the automaker to widespread fame and set the benchmark for future high-powered sports cars; that car was the Miura.

The closest the company came to building a true race car under Lamborghini's supervision were a few highly modified prototypes, including those built by factory test driver Bob Wallace, such as the Miura SV-based "Jota" and the Jarama S-based "Bob Wallace Special". Under the management of Georges-Henri Rossetti, Lamborghini entered into an agreement with BMW to build a production racing car in sufficient quantity for homologation. However, Lamborghini was unable to fulfill its part of the agreement. The car was eventually developed in-house by the BMW Motorsport Division, and was manufactured and sold as the BMW M1.

The 1991 Lotus 102B, which featured a Judd V8 in place of the unreliable Lamborghini V12 used in the 101 and 102

In the 1980s, Lamborghini developed the QVX for the 1986 Group C championship season. One car was built, but lack of sponsorship caused it to miss the season. The QVX competed in only one race, the non-championship 1986 Southern Suns 500 km race at Kyalami in South Africa, driven by Tiff Needell. Despite the car finishing better than it started, sponsorship could once again not be found and the program was cancelled.

Lamborghini was an engine supplier in Formula One between the 1989 and 1993 Formula One seasons. It supplied engines to Larrousse (1989-1990,1992-1993), Lotus (1990), Ligier (1991), Minardi (1992), and to the Modena team in 1991. While the latter is commonly referred to as a factory team, the company saw themselves as a supplier, not a backer. The 1992 Larrousse–Lamborghini was largely uncompetitive but noteworthy in its tendency to spew oil from its exhaust system. Cars following closely behind the Larrousse were commonly colored yellowish-brown by the end of the race.

In late 1991, a Lamborghini Formula One motor was used in the Konrad KM-011 Group C sports car, but the car only lasted a few races before the project was canceled. The same engine, re-badged a Chrysler by Lamborghini's then parent company, was tested by McLaren towards the end of the 1993 season, with the intent of using it during the 1994 season. Although driver Ayrton Senna was reportedly impressed with the engine's performance, McLaren pulled out of negotiations, choosing a Peugeot engine instead, and Chrysler ended the project.

A Murcielago R-GT participating in the FIA GT Championship at Silverstone in 2006

Two racing versions of the Diablo were built for the Diablo Supertrophy, a single-model racing series held annually from 1996 to 1999. In the first year, the model used in the series was the Diablo SVR, while the Diablo 6.0 GTR was used for the remaining three years.

Lamborghini developed the Murciélago R-GT as a production racing car to compete in the FIA GT Championship, the Super GT Championship and the American Le Mans Series in 2004. The car's highest placing in any race that year was the opening round of the FIA GT Championship at Valencia, where the car entered by Reiter Engineering finished third from a fifth-place start. In 2006, during the opening round of the Super GT championship at Suzuka, a car run by the Japan Lamborghini Owners Club garnered the first victory (in class) by an R-GT.

A GT3 version of the Gallardo has been developed by Reiter Engineering.

A Murciélago R-GT entered by All-Inkl.com racing, driven by Christophe Bouchut and Stefan Mücke, won the opening round of the FIA GT Championship held at Zhuhai International Circuit, achieving the first major international race victory for Lamborghini.

Annual sales

Sales under Audi AG ownership
Year Sales
500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500
1996 211  
Audi Takeover in 1998
2002 424  
2003 1,305  
2004 1,592  
2005 1,600  
2006 2,087  
2007 2,406
2008 2,430


Ownership

Lamborghini has had a number of owners:

  • Ferruccio Lamborghini 1963–1972
  • Georges-Henri Rossetti and René Leimer 1972–1977
  • bankrupt 1977–1984
    • managed by Patrick Mimram 1980–1984
  • Patrick Mimram 1984–1987
  • Chrysler Corporation 1987–1994
  • Megatech 1994–1995 (Permission granted for the Creation of Lamborghini Latinoamerica S.A.)
  • V'Power, Mycom 1995–1998
  • Audi AG 1998-present


Foreign operations

Automovil Lamborghini de Latin America was set up by a Jorge Antonio Fernandez Garcia in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1994, It is officially licensed to produce two handbuilt variants of the Diablo called the Eros and the Coatl. They were first produced in 2001 and are available only in Latin America since 2003.

See also: List of Italian companies


Internal Links

Lamborghini Value in Italy (Euro)


External links

105px
Lamborghini Models
Current models: Reventón | Murciélago LP640 | Murciélago LP640 Roadster | Murcielago Spider | Gallardo | Gallardo Spyder

Historic models: Miura | Countach | Diablo | Espada | Silhouette | Jalpa | 350GT | 400GT | Islero | Jarama | LM002 | Urraco

Concept models: Athon | Bravo | Cala | Cheetah | Concept S | Flying Star II | 3500GTZ | Genesis | LM001 | LM003 | LM004 | LMA002 | Marco Polo | Marzal | Miura Concept | Portofino | Raptor

Owned Group:Volkswagen | Audi | SEAT | Škoda | Bentley | Bugatti | Lamborghini

Lamborghini road car timeline, 1960s–1980s
1980 - current timeline Next »
Type 1960s 1970s 1980s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Owner 20px-Flag of Switzerland.png Jean-Claude
and Patrick Mimran 		22px-Flag of the United States.png Chrysler Corporation 22px-Flag of Indonesia.svg.png Megatech 22px-Flag of Indonesia.svg.png V'Power 22px-Flag of Germany.png AUDI AG
FR GT 350GT
2 plus 2 400GT Islero Jarama
Coupé Espada
RMR V8/V10 Silhouette Jalpa
2 plus 2 Urraco
V12 Miura Countach
SUV LM002
Founder: Ferruccio Lamborghini | Lamborghini Corporate website | A brand of the VWAG group
« Previous Lamborghini road car timeline, 1980s–2000s – part of the Volkswagen Group
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Owner ← Receivership 20px-Flag of Switzerland.png Jean-Claude
and Patrick Mimran 		22px-Flag of the United States.png Chrysler Corporation 22px-Flag of Indonesia.svg.png Megatech 22px-Flag of Indonesia.svg.png V'Power 22px-Flag of Germany.png AUDI AG
Mid/RWD V8 Jalpa
Mid/4WD V10 Gallardo*
Sesto Elemento
V12 <··· Countach Diablo Murciélago Aventador
Reventón
Front/4WD V12 LM002
Founder: Ferruccio Lamborghini | Lamborghini Corporate website | A brand of the VWAG group



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