Lusty Lamborghini

A new franchise arrangement gives European Motor Distributors two of the world's three supercars, writes motoring editor ALASTAIR SLOANE.

The letter arrived from Italy the other day. It said that European Motor Distributors, the Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche agents in New Zealand, could add another marque to their line-up - Lamborghini.

EMD had been expecting the news. They had been talking to Lamborghini for some time about the franchise and were 99.9 per cent certain they would become the official distributors.

They had a head start. Lamborghini is owned by Audi, which is owned by Volkswagen. EMD have even brought in two Diablos, both priced between $520,000 and $550,000, to show the faith. One is in a retail showroom, the other wrapped in a nylon blanket at EMD headquarters. The company says there are "expressions of interest" in both.

The new franchise couldn't have come at a better time. Lamborghini had just confirmed that its new 330 km/h Murcielago supercar - the Diablo replacement unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show last week - would be available in right-hand-drive from next April.

Lamborghini will sit under the same roof in New Zealand as Porsche, and gives EMD two of the world's three recognised supercars. Ferrari is imported by Auckland's Continental Car Services.

EMD are not expecting to sell a whole bundle of Murcielago models, not when well-heeled British buyers will queue to buy right-hand-drive models for £160,000 (around $600,000). EMD will negotiate their own price for New Zealand, expected to be similar to that of the outgoing Diablo.

The two-door Murcielago and its gull-wing doors is based on the traditional Lamborghini layout: mid-mounted V12 engine, gearbox in front of the engine, rear differential integrated into the engine unit, and permanent four-wheel drive with central viscous coupling.

This layout, used for more than 30 years, splits the weight 42 per cent to the front and 58 per cent to the rear. Lamborghini says the weight distribution is ideal for traction, braking and handling.

The suspension setup is by double wishbones front and rear, with automatic or manually variable damping. Body panels are made from carbon-fibre, with the exception of the steel roof and door panels.

Two "active" intakes, integrated into the C-pillar behind the cabin, channel cooling air to the 6.2-litre engine. The flaps covering the intakes automatically open to suit speed and driving conditions.

So does the angle of the rear spoiler, concealed as part of the bodywork. It remains closed between 0 to 130 km/h, partially opens between 130 and 220 km/h and fully opens above 220 km/h.

Depending on the aperture of the air intakes and the position of the rear spoiler, the car's drag coefficient varies from 0.33 to 0.36.

The wing mirrors, which can be folded electrically, are mounted on long support arms so that the driver can see beyond the rear wings, which are especially prominent when the air intakes are open.

Lamborghini's brief to Belgian-born Audi designer Luc Donckerwolke was simple: "We'll make the engine, you design the body to fit."

The carmaker is happy with the result.

"The lines of the Murcielago do justice to its illustrious heritage and echo the styling features of some of the most significant icons to be produced by the marque," it says.

"In its lines can be seen the wedge shape of the Countach, the sensual tension of the Miura and the dramatic proportions of the Diablo, with its futuristic cabin."

The Murcielago's all-alloy V12 engine, mounted lower to lower the car's centre of gravity, runs on unleaded fuel and meets strict European, Japanese and American emission standards.

It produces 426kW at 7500 rpm and 650Nm of torque at 5400 rpm, and is mated to a six-speed gearbox, a first for Lamborghini. Much of the torque is available at 2000 rpm, thanks to variable intake and valve timing systems. The car can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.

The Murcielago chassis, with its steel roof and carbon-fibre floor pan attached to a tubular frame, has been stiffened considerably to aid handling and ride and to reduce noise.

The car sits on alloy wheels and Pirelli P Zero 245/35 ZR 18 and 335/30 ZR 18 tyres.

Safety equipment includes ABS anti-lock brakes and dual airbags.

Inside, the instrument panel includes a trip computer that displays average and maximum speed, maximum acceleration, miles to empty, a chronometer and a voltmeter.

Among other driver aids are a control to fold the heated wing mirrors, and an axle-lifting system that, at low speeds, allows the front axle to be raised 45mm.

The interior features leather upholstery, three-spoke leather sports steering wheel and a steel gear-lever and selector gate. The radio and CD autochanger are tailor-made to Lamborghini's specifications.