Galleria di Tom Automobili

The Bull That Charged into the 21st Century

When Lamborghini unveiled the Murciélago in September 2001, it wasn’t just launching a new flagship, it was ushering in a new era. As the first all-new model developed
under Audi’s ownership, the Murciélago brought a fresh level of refinement and reliability to the raging bull, without losing the raw attitude that made Lamborghini legendary.
Styled by Luc Donckerwolke, the Murciélago featured all the hallmarks of a proper Lambo: scissor doors, a mid-mounted V12, and a presence that commanded attention. Under the sleek,
aggressive body sat a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V12, paired to a six-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel drive. With its carbon fiber-reinforced chassis and
active aerodynamics, it was both a beast on the road and a sign of Lamborghini’s technical evolution.
In 2004, Lamborghini expanded the lineup with the Murciélago Roadster, a dramatic open-top version that brought even more theatre to the driving experience. Though its
soft top was infamously fiddly, the Roadster allowed drivers to enjoy the glorious V12 soundtrack with nothing between them and the sky.

Production of this first-generation Murciélago ran until 2006, when it evolved into the more powerful and sharply styled LP 640.

The name “Murciélago”: Named after a legendary Spanish fighting bull who survived 24 sword strikes during a bullfight in Córdoba in 1879. The matador spared its life,
and the bull was later gifted to Don Antonio Miura, yes that Miura, one of Spain’s most famous bull breeders. Decades later, Ferruccio Lamborghini would name his first mid-engine
supercar — the Miura — after that very breeder. Naming the 2001 V12 flagship Murciélago was a poetic nod to the origins of that legendary bloodline.

Throughout its lifespan, the Murciélago gave rise to a wide array of versions, from subtle models to wild, track-bred SuperVeloce editions. These many
variants reflect Lamborghini’s habit of constantly pushing the limits of its creations. You can explore them all in detail on the Murciélago Variants page.

Driving Experience
The original Murciélago delivered a raw yet refined experience. The V12 offered a spine-tingling howl, and with 580 hp and 650 Nm of torque, it sprinted from
0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Top speed hovered around 330 km/h (205 mph), placing it firmly among the world’s fastest production cars of the time.

Thanks to Audi’s influence, the build quality improved over the Diablo era, and the Murciélago featured advanced aerodynamics, including an automatically deploying
rear wing and side air intakes that adjusted based on speed and engine temperature. The AWD system provided impressive grip, but the car still felt like a true
bull—powerful, dramatic, and occasionally wild.

Manual gearbox versions are especially sought after today, offering a tactile and engaging experience that is becoming increasingly rare in modern supercars.

Murciélago Through the Years
Murciélago 6.2 Coupe (2001-2006)
 The first Lamborghini launched under Audi’s ownership, replacing the Diablo. Designed by Luc Donckerwolke, the Murciélago introduced a cleaner, more refined look
 while retaining Lamborghini’s trademark drama. It featured a 6.2-liter V12 producing 580 hp, all-wheel drive, and scissor doors, an instant modern classic.

Murciélago 40th Anniversary Edition (2003)
 A limited run of 50 units built to commemorate Lamborghini’s 40th anniversary. Finished in a unique “Verde Artemis” green with carbon fiber details, upgraded wheels,
 and a numbered plaque. Offered only as a coupe, it celebrated the brand’s heritage with subtle exclusivity.

Murciélago Roadster (2004-2006)  The open-top version brought added drama and visual impact. Retaining the 6.2L V12 and all-wheel drive system, the Roadster featured unique styling cues like a
 redesigned engine cover and aggressive rear deck. The soft-top roof was more of an emergency solution than a daily use feature, but owners rarely minded.

Murciélago LP 640 Coupe and Roadster (2006-2010)
 A major evolution of the original car. The engine was enlarged to 6.5 liters, now producing 640 hp. Design updates included a more angular front bumper, new taillights,
 larger side intakes, and a center-mounted exhaust. Interior improvements and optional E-Gear transmission rounded out the transformation. The “LP” (Longitudinale Posteriore)
 designation marked Lamborghini’s new naming era.

Murciélago LP 650-4 Roadster (2009)
 A special edition limited to 50 units, distinguished by its Grigio Telesto (gray) and Arancio (orange) color scheme. The V12 was tuned to deliver 650 hp, and the Roadster
 received custom badging and trim. A collectible farewell to the open-top Murciélago.

Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce (SV) (2009-2010)
 The final and most extreme version of the Murciélago. Limited to 186 units, it featured a 670 hp V12, lighter construction (100 kg less than the LP 640), aggressive
 aerodynamics, and a massive rear wing. With a 0–100 km/h time of just 3.2 seconds, it was a raw, track-focused finale for Lamborghini’s V12 flagship before the Aventador era began.

Fun Facts
First Lamborghini under Audi ownership: It brought newfound reliability and quality, though still retained that Italian flair.
Scissor doors return: Like the Countach and Diablo, the Murciélago featured the iconic upward-opening doors.
Rare color editions: Lamborghini released limited runs in colors like Monterey Blue and Giallo Orion, which have become cult favorites.
Used in Hollywood: The Murciélago appeared in Batman Begins (2005) as Bruce Wayne’s car of choice—fitting for a character who works in a cave and dresses like a bat.
The Murciélago was the last Lamborghini to use the original 6.2L version of the V12, which was based on the same engine family introduced in the 1960s with the Miura.

Legacy
The Murciélago wasn’t just a replacement for the Diablo, it was a statement. As the first V12 Lamborghini developed under Audi, it bridged the raw, analog insanity
of the old-school bulls with the modern performance and engineering precision that defines the brand today. It reasserted Lamborghini’s place among the supercar elite,
proving that passion and progress could coexist.

Its design, still rooted in the dramatic wedge-shaped lineage of the Countach and Diablo, set the tone for a new generation. Its monstrous V12 carried forward a bloodline
that began with the Miura, and its all-wheel drive system offered a new level of usability for a Lamborghini of this caliber.

More than anything, the Murciélago reminded the world that Lamborghini was not just surviving, it was thriving. With nearly 4,000 units built across all versions, the Murciélago
paved the way for the Aventador and inspired a new era of boldness and innovation.

It was, and still is, a bull worthy of legend.

Specifications