The Lamborghini Murcielago was built between 2001 and 2010. It was the successor to the Diablo and served as the flagship model for the brand. Murcielago is Spanish for "bat" and was also the name of Navarra fighting bull. This was a key model for Lamborghini as it was the first all-new car produced under the stewardship of new owners Audi - it was actually their first new design in 10 years! This LP640 coupe was revealed to the world at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006 and was officially called "Murcielago LP640", with the LP standing for the engine's orientation (Longitudinale Posteriore) and the 640 denoting the power output. Displacement was increased from 6.2 to 6.5 litres and a 0-60mph time around the 3.2 second mark with a top speed of 211mph included in this piece of automotive art and aural drama.
Model review
This model hails from AuotArt's Performance range and is presented here in Arancio Atlas (orange to you and me). As you'd expect from AutoArt, the paintjob is lovely and reflects the light nice and cleanly. There is a bit of glue visble at the bottom of oneof the rear air vents, however. The overall shape and look of the model is just amazing - you'd expect nothing less from a Lamborghini and AutoArt have faithfully reproduced it in every way possible. It is such a low-slung beast, I'm not sure how anyone can actually fit inside! I know some people aren't fans of model makers including number plates on their models, but at least here they are proper solid pieces - not just stickers that will eventually peel off. I've always found the rear three-quarters of the real car a bit awkward, as well as the rear wheels slightly and AutoArt are so good at their job, that this model follows suit.
A Lamborghini just wouldn't be a Lamborghini without the scissor doors - how cool do they look?!?!?!
In my opinion, wheels, brakes and grilles are a few of the main things that can make or break a scale replica. This model is a tour de force and a veritable feast of grilles, grilles and MORE GRILLES - they are everywhere and done so well!!
Other features such as the asymmetrical intakes along the sides and the wing mirrors look really good as well.
The deployable side vents that pop up when the engine requires more cooling are all present and correct here with included perforated grilles - I couldn't manage to get them to stay open on my model, so if anyone knows how to do this please let me know!
The hinge work on this model leaves nothing to be desired. The bonnet opens on a set of struts, while the rear engine hatch features the same struts as well as solid metal hinges (the good type).
The headlights are very well done, although mine have very small amounts of glue residue around the edges - only really noticeable in close up shots.
The tail lights are a sight to behold. They were upgraded to LED units on the LP640 and just look at the detail in them. Another AutoArt trait.
Oh yeah....more grilles!!
The centre exit exhausts don't look too shabby either!
Remember how I said wheels and brakes are key success factors of a scale model? AutoArt have delivered yet again on this front. My only gripe is the black calipers against the black rims - they should have been matched with the body colour perhaps? The lettering on the calipers is crystal clear, however, and the brake discs look like real carbon-ceramic!
The petrol cap looks like it opens - it doesn't. I'm also not sure what those two little circles are above and below it.
The front badge on my particular model has peeled around the edges slightly, but you can clearly see the raging bull and Lamborghini lettering is there. The rear photoetched badge sits atop even more perforated grille....
Onto the engine bay and this is where the 6.5 litre V12 beast lives below the louvred glass engine cover. The engine and ancilliaries all look present and correct, but a bit of extra colour wouldn't have gone amiss - the black and silver make it look a bit bland. The carbon surrounds and yet even more perforated grille serve to elevate it, however.
Turning our attention to the interior, I'd say it's close to perfection. The carbon embossed kickplates are a lovely touch, while the carbon fibre trim and diamond-stitched alcantara everywhere are fabulous. I was annoyed at first that the raging bull wasn't present on the steering wheel, but when I Googled for interior shots of the real car, it is merely embossed in black, so you can't really see it anyway. There are real fabric seatbelts with photoetched buckles as well.
The diamond-stitched effect continues onto the scissor doorcards, seats (with Lamborghini embossed headrests) and bulkhead.
Dials behind the steering wheel are pretty clear, if not 100% legible. The buttons to the left of the steering wheel are nice and crisp, however, and the column-mounted paddles are good to see. There's also a nice bit of carbon trim around the instrument binnacle.
This is a phenomenal effort from AutoArt on the whole - and to think this was only from their "Performance" range of models! I have no doubt this would probably sit in their Signature range alongside the Aventador if it was made nowadays. This is the kind of model they should be producing nowadays, instead of the apparently shoddy composite models like the Huracan (I don't have the ?pleasure? of owning one yet, so can't provide a true opinion). Hope you enjoyed this review.....
