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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  Expected more - 2006 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By Jeff - December 22 - 5:06 am

  I will say.. for the money spent on it, Im not as impressed as I should be. The engine has had a few thousand dollars worth the problems in the last few months, the exterior design is a little boxy, riding comfort isnt spectacular. The performance is amazing obviously, really throws you back in your seat. Paint chips kind of easily. The shift is smooth but my tranny has already gone once. Gears wear down a little fast. Needs better brake pads, Ive been replacing them every few thousand miles. Gas is horrible, but I couldnt give it a 1 because it IS a 12 cylinder.

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  Great - 2004 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By GiuseppeA - November 25 - 10:00 am

  When you hear Lamborghini you think wow what a car. and yea wow its a beauty. great car. the exterrior design is sexy, the cuts and the details stand out and make the car. performance wise the car has a strong V12 unimaginably powerful engine. speed is great. the interrior can use a little modernizing, it looks like it has been the same for years. overall beautiful.

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  A Beautiful Execution - 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo
  By Giovanni - June 5 - 12:10 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned. In the past, I have owned and driven many cars, but it had always been my dream to own a Lamborghini, and now I can drive it. Incredible handling, tight steering, and the interior is as nice as any other car Audi has built- not something you see very often in a car of this prestige. No doubt, its an expensive toy, but for a car enthusiast it is easily worth it, even if you are concerned you cant afford it. The design is beautiful... the trasmission is perfect... honestly, there is nothing else like it.

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  MURCIELAGO LACKS COMFORT & FUEL ECONOMY! - 2005 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By Dominic - May 3 - 6:03 am

  The Murcielago is without doubt one of the most aggressive and entertaining prestige vehicles out there in the market today, but like most genuine sports cars, needs improvement on its fuel economy and interior comfort. However, unlike the Enzo or Carrera GT, both of which are both just as pricey, the Murcielago holds true to its Lamborghini heritage and power. Personally, having driven this car for nine months, I feel that it has strong thoroughbred performance, sleek styling and comes equipped with race-quality Pirelli P Zero ROSSO tires. On the downside, the seats are a bit too hard, the center console proves to be difficult to operate at times and the steering gets twitchy.

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  Murcielago, Simply The Best - 2005 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By David Witt - October 3 - 2:20 pm

  My gas costs as much as my insurance. But of course its worth it when you press the gas and your at 60 mph instantly. One problem though, you buy this car to be seen in the only problem is you cant see the people looking at you its so low! But it is truly the most fantastic car I have ever owned. Let me tell you if your looking for performance this is the car for you.

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  Millennium Lambo - 2001 Lamborghini Diablo
  By Tony - November 4 - 6:56 pm

  I have the Millennium Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 Roadster. There were only 30 manufactured in year 2000 and 10 sent to the US. The Lamborghini exterior color is Titanium Metallic finish, but the biggest difference on the inside is the two tone leather interior with a mix of grey and black leather. Another feature is the use of a clear carbon fiber rear spoiler mounted on this Millennium Metallic Roadster it looks great. The drivetrain was coupled to a SV-type Bevel gear type differential with a 1 to 2.53 ratio giving a phenomenal driving experience. This is a V12 powered supercar, competition was non-existent, nothing could come close to the roar of the V12 with the top open. Last year of roadster.

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  Value for money - 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo
  By Mr. Q - August 19 - 10:00 am

  If you are looking for great value for money then look no further. The surefootedness of AWD coupled with side & head airbags makes this a safe year-round supercar. Not quite as refined as a Porsche Turbo or on par with the superb handling, sound, excitement and outright dazzling performance of the 360 CS, this still is a quite capable machine for all four seasons.

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  kick-butt car - 2004 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By the loner - May 26 - 10:00 am

  to me its a great car for my wife and i

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  none better - 2005 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By Roy Sciortino - November 24 - 7:43 pm

  Owner of several exotic automobiles including Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin. No other vehicle compares to build quality, performance, or all out fun. Dealers are a pleasure to work with and first few services were above satisfaction.

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  Tight - 2004 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By George Shababi - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This car is fantastic to drive, its loads of fun. If you are looking for a true car than this is it my friend.