About this Collectable

The Murciélago is one of the most evocative supercars of the '00s, with its spectacular looks and atmospheric 6.2-litre V12. This example is finished in Arancio Atlas, has 44,000 km on the odometer and is signed by Valentino Balboni.

The Lamborghini Murciélago has already achieved an iconic status. In the same way the Countach was a poster car for the generation growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, the Murciélago has been so for those growing up around the millennium.

In 2001, the Murciélago followed in the footsteps of the Diablo, which had been in production for over a decade. The Murciélago was given a much more modern design, designed by Belgian Luc Donckerwolke. But even with the clean lines, the Murciélago still looks out of this world, as befits a Lamborghini. The bodywork is mostly carbon fibre, except for the aluminium doors and steel roof.

Like its predecessors, this car also has the characteristic 'siccors doors'. Unique to the Murciélago are the air intakes behind the side windows that fold out when the temperature rises. Of course, these can be raised for show, so it lives up to its name 'Murcielago' (Spanish for bat) even more. In addition, there is an active rear spoiler.

Donckerwolke described designing the Murciélago with the legendary words "I am designing a concert hall for a 12-cylinder orchestra." With that, he captures what this car is really about: the majestic V12 under the bonnet.

It is the old-school V12 that was still designed by Bizzarrini and has been continually developed. With the Murciélago, the atmospheric 12-cylinder has grown to 6.2 litres, resulting in a power output of 580 hp and a top speed of 333 km/h. The sound of this V12 is even more impressive on this particular car, as it is fitted with a Tubi exhaust.

Courtesy of Audi (which has owned Lamborghini since 1998), considerable steps have also been made when it comes to handling, quality and reliability. But at the same time, the Murciélago is everything a Lamborghini should be.

This particular Murciélago is finished in perhaps the most iconic colour for this model: Arancio Atlas. A pearlescent orange with relatively large metallic flakes, so the colour of the car varies with every ray of light. The interior is just as striking as the exterior, as the colour orange is featured here as well.

The car has 44,000 km on the odometer. This Murciélago was originally delivered in Germany, then spent some time driving in Greece (documentation available) before being brought to the Netherlands.

Nice touch: this car was signed by Lamborghini legend Valentino Balboni. He attended a supercar event in the Netherlands and chose this Murciélago out of the numerous Lamborghinis present to drive a few laps himself. So it has the approval of Balboni himself.

Our opinion

The last 'real' raw Lamborghini, but built under the supervision of Audi. So the best of both worlds and therefore already a true classic. In fact, after bottoming out about five years ago, prices have been rising sharply in recent years. Most important with a car like this: maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. This owner has been in possession of the car for 8 years and as the invoices show, didn't save on anything. The car also feels like it could be driven easily to 100K km. Actually, EVO Magazine wrote an Ownership Review about a Murciélago with 2 tonnes on the odometer (and has since been driven up to 400k km). This is where you can clearly feel the quality shift Audi has made.

Despite the rather impressive looks and imposing dimensions, a Murcielago is still surprisingly easy to drive. For a Supercar, at least. Even on long distances, especially in this E-Gear version. The only time owners need to master a trick is when parking in reverse; the Great Reverse Show. Sitting on the sill with the door up, feet barely touching the pedals and then manoeuvring backwards, while facing the rear. In the case of this car, this won't be necessary (as it is equipped with a reversing camera), but that is something spectators don't need to know.

This particular Murciélago is still the early model in its purest form, i.e. without large spoilers. As with the Diablo and the Countach, these are often the classics of the future.

So yes, with intensive use, Lamborghini maintenance can be costly. But you don't have depreciation with a Murciélago and for the money of a well specced Porsche 992, you drive something exceptional. An event on wheels. This may well be the time to consider buying this Italian bull.

Equipment

This Murciélago is fitted from factory with:
Two-tone interior with diamond pattern
6-speed E-Gear automatic transmission
Hercules rims
Hydraulic front axle lift system

Modifications

This Murciélago is fitted with a Tubi exhaust system with valves.

Remarks

There are of course some signs of use, documented on the photos:
Light stone chips on the nose
Minimal damage on the rim on the front right and rear right
The side skirt on the left was repainted in 2018 because of a scratch sustained while parking. The rear bumper was also resprayed at the same time, as it already had some scratches. The front bumper was presumably repainted at some point by the previous owner.

Service history

Highlights from recent service history include:
13 August 2021 - 42.510 km - Lamborghini Leusden: service, including (among other things): E-Gear gearbox repaired, clutch preventively replaced, spark plug replaced, ignition coils preventively replaced, engine oil & gearbox oil changed - €17.999,98
13 August 2018 - 36.424 km - Mugello Engineering - service, including (among other things): cooling fan & fuse replaced, starter motor overhauled, rear bumper & sideskirt repainted, engine oil & brake fluid changed - €3.245,00
26 November 2015 - 31.544 km - Louwman Exclusive: major service + clutch replaced, front differential replaced, ABS sensor replaced - €23.823,09
See thecollectables.nl for the invoices and service booklet.

Included with sale

Two keys
Service history with invoices and service booklet
Trickle charger

For over 150 photos and the complete description, please visit www.thecollectables.com