With modern day racing video games blurring the lines between virtuality and reality, it's no wonder some readers mistook last Friday's Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Trailer featuring a Police-livered Lamborghini Murcielago and a Pagani Zonda for a very well executed CGI when in fact it was a real-life film (see it here). If you still have doubts, then follow the jump to watch the video and get behind the scenes of the live-action shoot out.
An extremely well kept example of Lamborghini's made-to-order Murcielago LP640 Roadster VERSACE with only 1,211 miles (1,949 km) on the odometer, has surfaced on eBay for an asking price of $635,777 or approximately €467,758 at today's exchange rates. That's far less than the car's original one million dollar price tag.
The Roadster version of the Murcielago Versace Edition came to life in the summer of 2008, two years after the introduction of the coupe model in 2006. The Murcielago LP640 Roadster VERSACE was an "ad personam" project, meaning that Lamborghini was ready to meet any special desires that clients might have had.
Powered by the same 6.5-liter V12 engine as the stock LP640, the VERSACE edition features a transparent engine hood and bespoke interior. The seats are clad in black and white leather, while the instrument panel, doors and central console are wrapped in full grain nappa leather, hand-embroidered with the Versace Greek fret motif.
The Italian supercar also comes with a host of accessories, such as the Versace luggage set, crafted in black matte calf skin.
There's no word about the luggage set in the ad, but it does say that the car has Versace-stitched Nero Porseus leather seats and carbon fiber-trimmed interior, the latter being an optional feature. Furthermore, the first client opted for the E-gear transmission instead of the standard six-speed manual, a premium infotainment system and ceramic brakes.
Check out the extensive gallery below to see the fine details of this rare gem.
Live action game trailers are nothing new. It's an easy way for developers to tease their upcoming titles without having to reveal any actual graphics or gameplay. Recent examples of this include Resident Evil 5 and Halo 3: ODST.
So there's a new trailer out for Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, the latest in the NFSseries and the third Hot Pursuit title. However, this trailer comes with something special: a spectacular live action realisation of the chase from the E3 reveal trailer.
In the original trailer, we see an epic chase whereby a Koenigsegg CCX, Pagani Zonda Cinque and McLaren MP4-12C are pursued by two Ford Shelby GT500s, a Bugatti Veyron, a Lamborghini Murciélago and a Bell 206 helicopter. This is all realized (presumably) with the in-game engine and is pretty sweet in itself.
However, it's nothing compared to this real-life chase between an orange Zonda Cinque, police issue Murciélago and Bell 206 through the Italian Alps from the game's marketing team. It's the sort of thing that has to be seen to be believed. Watch the video, and let us know what you think in the comments.
Putting to rest the various rumors of the past few months, Lamborghini today announced that next year's Murcielago replacement will get an all-new V12 power plant matched to also new automated manual gearbox.
The new V12 engine was developed from a clean sheet of paper entirely in-house by Lamborghini at company headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognes. The goal was to create a higher-output yet lighter and with lower emissions replacement to the firm's venerable V12. The result is a 6.5-liter unit that tips the scales at just 235kg or 518 pounds, while producing an output of 700-horsepower at 8,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 690 Nm (479.4 lb-ft) at 5,500 rpm.
Lamborghini has not yet released full technical specs on the V12, but among the details announced are that the crankcase and the four-valve cylinder heads are made from aluminum-silicon alloy, and that the new exhaust system not only delivers the lowest emission levels, but also what the company describes as "a spine-tingling Lamborghini sound."
"This new power unit is not only the crowning glory of our product range, it is also part of our enormous investment in the future of the Lamborghini brand," says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.
"With this new V12, we are heralding a technological leap that encompasses all areas of the company and our future model lineup. With a unique package of innovations, Lamborghini will redefine the future of the super sports car. This 700 hp engine, together with an all-new concept gearbox, will be the strong heart of the Murciélago successor next year."
Completing the powertrain setup is Sant'Agata's new "Lamborghini ISR" automated manual gearbox. It's a single clutch gearbox with Lamborghini claiming that it combines fast shift times – approximately 50 percent shorter than with a dual-clutch transmission – with the benefits of manual shifting when it comes to low weight and compact dimensions.
And if you're wondering, ISR is an acronym for Independent Shifting Rod. According to the company, instead of taking place in series like a conventional gearbox, shifting can occur virtually in parallel. While one shifting rod is moving out of one gear, the second shifting rod can already engage the next. Furthermore, Sant'Agata says the transmission weighs in at only 79 kilograms (174 pounds), making it considerably lighter than a comparable DSG transmission.
Both the new V12 engine and ISR gearbox will be manufactured at Lamborghini's headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognes. The Murcielago's replacement with the new powertrain will make its world premiere next year, most likely at the Geneva Salon in March.
