• Year of manufacture 
    2002
  • Chassis number 
    ZA9BC10E02LA12189
  • Lot number 
    140
  • Reference number 
    27530_140
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Location
    Switzerland
  • Exterior colour 
    Other

Description

2002 Lamborghini Murciélago Coupe
Chassis no. ZA9BC10E02LA12189

"Before the Murciélago's design had even got under way, one of the key requirements for the Diablo's successor was usability. That meant it had to be comfortable and reliable, while also offering to-notch performance and handling." – Richard Dredge, Lamborghini.

Successor to the Diablo and Lamborghini's flagship model, the Murciélago 'hypercar' was introduced in 2001 for the 2002 model year, and like its forebears was named after a famous fighting bull. The Murciélago was Lamborghini's first new design for 11 years and also the Italian company's first since its acquisition by the Volkswagen Group's Audi division in 1998. Audi's input ensured that build quality was of the highest, while the manufacturing time was cut from the Diablo's 500 hours to a much more profitable 300. Features identified as key to the Lamborghini brand were retained, so the Murciélago came with a mid-mounted V12 engine, cab-forward layout, scissor-action doors, and all-wheel drive.

Styled by Lamborghini's head of design Luc Donckerwolke, the angular coupé was very low, boasting a roof height of just under 1.2 metres, and featured distinctive doors that swung upwards and forwards when opened. A combination of carbon fibre, steel and aluminium was used for the chassis/body, while the suspension featured the supercar-standard double wishbones all round. The Murciélago's power unit was a longitudinally mounted 6.2-litre V12, an engine that could trace its ancestry back to the very first Lamborghini of 1964. As installed in the Murciélago, this formidable power unit produced 572bhp, which was delivered to the ground via a six-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drive, while an active rear wing and active air intakes, deployed automatically when required, helped keep the Murciélago stable at its circa 200mph top speed.

To demonstrate that that all-important top speed claim was no idle boast, Lamborghini test driver Giorgio Sanna set a number of class records at the Nardi test track in Italy, covering 100 miles at an average speed of 320.254km/h (198.996mph) despite less than ideal weather conditions. Autocar's Stephen Sutcliffe declared that the Murciélago's arrival "makes the Diablo seem old and slow". Roadster and up-rated LP 640/670 models followed.

Finished in Arancio Atlas (orange) with black interior, this collectible early Murciélago has the desirable six-speed manual gearbox rather than the more common eGear automated manual. Purchased by the current vendor in October 2004, the car has covered only 19,285 kilometres from new having been stored for many years. A thorough service and re-commissioning will be required before returning it to the road. It should also be noted that the car is fitted with a racing exhaust system that is not legal in Switzerland. The original exhaust and spare wheel are included in the sale. The car is offered with a Certificate of Conformity, sundry service invoices, three keys and a Swiss Carte Grise.

Please note the following: VAT will be payable on the hammer price and buyer's premium at the standard rate if the car remains in Switzerland.


Bonhams 1793
101 New Bond Street
London
W1S 1SR
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
First name 
Bonhams Collectors’ Car department

Phone 
+44-2074685801
Fax 
+44-2074477401