Anyone who appreciates a good underdog story probably likes Lamborghini. The Italian carmaker that launched thousands of bedroom posters trailed rivals like Ferrari and Porsche in prestige and technological superiority for years. Along the way, ownership of the Sant' Agata Bolognese company has unraveled like a string of Hollywood marriages, complete with irreconcilable differences. It was even owned by Chrysler from 1987 to 1994 when the seven-year itch apparently set in and Lamborghini was kicked to the curb, rebounding into the arms of an Indonesian investment group. Then in 1998, Audi/Volkswagen wooed their way into ownership after initially being hooked up only for technical assistance. Since then, the story and the cars have steadily improved. Today, Lamborghini commands a strong impression on car culture; the scissor-action doors are copied on everything from custom show cars to your neighbor’s kid’s pimped-out Kia.
So, it seems the underdog Lamborghini aims to be an overachiever. The intent is blatantly obvious with the Murciélago named after a notorious fighting bull. The name is also Spanish for “bat.” Either translation is apt. The car is fierce and it’s a heck of a bug-killer at over 200 miles an hour. First introduced in 2001, the lone Murciélago model for 2007 is the LP640 coupe, the most powerful yet. Here’s a look at this exotic against its peers in the areas of luxury and practicality.
