significant 0.4 seconds faster than the last generation Murcielago. To make this happen, Lamborghini engineers rethought the cylinder head and the intake system as well as the crankshaft, camshafts and exhaust system, de Giaxa explains.
"If you want more power than that," he says, "a space shuttle might be your next buy. The Murcielago engine is bullish and aggressive, true to its heritage, but it's also graceful, providing ease through our freeway traffic and city streets."
Bringing the powerplant to the wheels, a six-gear transmission combines with a beefy rear differential and new half-axles. The e-gear tranny can also be optioned with a thrust mode for optimum acceleration.
The ignition system features individual coils for each of the 12 spark plugs. "Every engine and vehicle parameter is managed and controlled by |
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'master' control units as well as a 'satellite' control unit," de Giaxa notes.
New springs and stabilizers and electronically controlled silencers are also retained as are the anti-dive and anti-squat properties of the axles, which effectively prevent brake diving and squatting, remain unchanged. The suspension incorporates dual front and rear struts as well as an antiroll, antidive and antisquat bar. The Roadster also has permanent four-wheel drive based on the selfgoverning Lamborghini VT (Viscous Traction) system. The steering is power-assisted rack and pinion.
Paving New Roads
New to the Roadster are the rear lights and 18-inch rims as well as engineering upgrades. Also distinguishing the new ragtop are the asymmetrical sides: On the right side, the area behind the air intake is practically closed, and on the left side, |
