Overview & Reviews

Beloved by enthusiasts everywhere, Lamborghini cars are built for speed and to look the part. Extreme style and extreme performance are the chief characteristics of Ferrari's national rival. Unless your zip code is 90210, you're not likely to see a scissor-doored Lamborghini ahead of you in the Starbucks drive-thru or parked next to you at the mall; these are exclusive automobiles designed to cater to a small, very specialized audience.

During World War II, company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini served with the Italian Air Force's mechanics corps, where he became proficient at working with engines. After the war, Italy was plagued with scarcity; one such shortage involved tractors. Sensing an opportunity, Lamborghini purchased surplus military machines and reconfigured them as tractors. It was a canny move that resulted in a thriving business for the young entrepreneur, one that quickly made him a very wealthy man.

By the 1950s, Lamborghini's business had become even more successful, expanding to include heaters and air-conditioning units. As a car enthusiast, Lamborghini drove the best sports cars of the day. Somewhat disappointed with the Ferraris, he vowed to build a better car. Armed with millions of lira in investment money, he retreated to the small village of Sant'Agata to build a state-of-the-art automotive factory. On his payroll was noted automotive engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, who'd previously worked at Ferrari.

Automobili Lamborghini SpA. was officially founded in 1963. That same year, the very first Lamborghini, the 350GT, debuted at the Turin Motor Show. The car's name came from its engine size, a 3.5-liter four-cam V12. Then came the 400GT, which was produced until 1968. But it was the stunning midengine Miura, produced from 1967-'73, that catapulted Lamborghini to worldwide acclaim.

Lamborghini's tractor business suffered hard times in the early '70s, which led him to sell a controlling interest of Automobili Lamborghini SpA to a Swiss industrialist. The Italian's problems were worsened by that decade's oil crisis, and he wound up selling the remaining amount of his shares. Still, Lamborghini had found the wherewithal to bring out the Miura's replacement, the iconic Countach, for 1974. The company also invested millions in the development of a new vehicle, the military truck-style Cheetah, but its sales were disappointing. By the end of the decade, the automaker had declared bankruptcy.

The company got back on its feet in the 1980s. The key was Lamborghini's over-the-top Countach. Though introduced previously, the Countach was now fully styled with outlandish vents, aggressive fender flares and a huge rear wing that made it the perfect exotic car for that's decade's brash mentality. Perhaps hoping to cash in on the firm's revived popularity, the company's managers sold Lamborghini to Chrysler in 1987.

The '90s started out with the debut of the Countach's successor, the Diablo. Not long after, though, another change of ownership took place in 1994, when Lamborghini was acquired by three Far Eastern companies. Megatech was the largest of the trio and the primary shareholder. By the late 1990s, Lamborghini was in financial hot water once again. As before, the lack of a diversified product lineup was hurting the company's ability to compete globally. It was acquired by Volkswagen (which also owns other luxury marques such as Audi and Bentley) in 1998.

The new millennium saw the debut of the Murcielago, which replaced the Diablo, and the (relatively) more affordable Gallardo. Today, the current German/Italian marriage seems to be quite stable, and the rise in quality and refinement of Lamborghini's vehicles leaves no doubt as to its benefit.

User Reviews:

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  The #1 Lamborghini - 2006 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By The #1 Lamborghini - June 16 - 10:53 am

  I have owned both the Gallardo and the Murcielago. The extra money spent on the Murcielago is really worth it!! The Gallardo (baby Lambo) is nice and performs well but feels like the cheap version. The Murcielago is something they went the extra mile in! The quality, fit and finish and fun factor are a few that makes it #1.

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  Get one! - 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo
  By stephen peters - June 11 - 10:00 am

  This is one car that people should think about getting. The smooth ride will blow you away.

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  a true drivers car - 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo
  By edwardchistos - June 11 - 10:00 am

  i have two lamborghinis. a gallardo and a mercielogo. the gallardo does what its bigger brother cant. you cand drive it on the streets and race tracks unlike the mercielogo. truly this is an enthusiasts dream machine with proformance that will make your left foot shake

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  Awesome Car - 2002 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By BOOM! - May 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is one of the best European cars I have ever drove. Id have to say that this car is the first real challange to the Diablo Ive ever driven. The performane of this car is superior to that of even the Ruf 911 Turbo.

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  Murcielago - 2003 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By Salik - May 17 - 10:00 am

  I love this car at first i didnt think this car was a worthy successor to the Diablo, mostly because of the styling but after looking at it for about 5 min It is an amazing car. This car is defintely a cross between the countach and the diablo but with nextgenration styling. many features like the headlights being higher then the center hood and the fold out "batwings" come from the Countach. I dont give it a high rating in fuel economy (DUH) but who cares! This car is so fun to drive I have tried to keep it in show room condition but its too hard to resist driving! I might even go to the track (someday) My color is Rosso Red w/ black interior

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  Phoenix opinion - 2003 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By Phoenix - May 17 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is one of the most impresive automobile you will find on the market.The intriguing looks and glorious handling will require an experienced driver to properly handle this dark angel.

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  OH YEAH - 2002 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By huh - May 16 - 11:20 pm

  THIS IS A CAR YOU SHOULD BUY

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  AAAAAA+ car for looks only - 2005 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By joe - March 16 - 10:53 am

  I would defenetely recomend this car if you want to get it to show off. but if you want to drive it, it drives terrible. I almost got into an accident because the car just swerved to the right by itself. I took it to the carshop, and they said there was nothing wrong with it. The next day it wouldnt turn on. I kept trying for hours, and it still wouldnt turn on. The next day, it turned on and drove for a couple of miles, then it broke down, and I had to get it a new motor. What kind of car would need a new motor, 5 days after you got it brand new. If you want to get this car DONT DRIVE IT.

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  Mamma Mia! - 2004 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By Gargani - March 11 - 10:00 am

  This car was my 40th b-day gift...and what a gift it is! impressive design and more impressive performance...so fantastic the performance is that I dont even get upset whean I stop at the gas station.

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  OMG Lamborghini-)) Thank you Italy - 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo
  By Zach Gallardo - February 28 - 7:37 pm

  I have owned many cars shelby saleen gt bmw! They do not COMPARE to Lambo. Incredible acceleration pure beast! Fun factor 10+. I have Tubi exhaust it sounds like NASCAR-) Every place you go feel like celebrity & its a Photo shoot!! Worth every penny. No going back im hooked on ITALY