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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  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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  Sexy Babes - 2003 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By Maximus Renneker - March 26 - 2:00 am

  The F1 style of the Murcialago is as sexy as Pamala Anderson. It has all the styles of a sexy sports car with an affordable price.

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  06 g spyder - 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo
  By gman - March 21 - 6:53 am

  Great improvements in the 06. Car rides smooth and handles well. Good change in the gearing. Looks good and exhaust sound is very much improved.

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  Greatest car of all. - 2003 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By Raymond Van Praag - November 18 - 10:00 am

  Having had the top of the line porsches, ferraris (355 and 550), and a whole bunch of lesser sportscars, this Murcielago is the most fun car Ive ever driven. It really has everything perfect. Want to drive it all the time. It only could be a trifle more raw, but I only feel that way sometimes. Usually, I feel its perfectly balanced between insane and rational.

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  My favorite car! - 2002 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By boxkid1307 - October 12 - 10:00 am

  Awesome! Best car ever to hit the roads! Nothing comes close to it.

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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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  Ridiculously Awesome!!! - 2012 Lamborghini Gallardo
  By mjeagent - July 16 - 11:14 am

  Ive had many, many, many cars. From R8s to M3s to 911s to XKRs. I couldnt imagine what i was in for when I test drove this car. There was no chance I couldnt buy it. The looks. What more can I say. It is a piece of art that you get to drive. The looks you get are priceless. It is definitely an attention getter - which isnt great sometimes. With Audi designing the interior of the car it is finally up to 2012 technological standards. Great audio system. Great shift and accelerator response. Fun to drive. Permanent smile for the rest of the day if you get a drive in with the top down.

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  Lamborghini - 2002 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By Losni Golino - July 4 - 2:00 am

  it is a great and fast car

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  Its the bomb! - 2004 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By celedrickb - June 19 - 10:00 am

  Its retardedly fast and beautiful and I get crazy attention from women everytime I pull it out of the garage. I plan on getting some engine upgrades soon to boost it to maybe 750 to 800 horsepower or so. I know it sounds crazy but you only live once so im going all out on this one.

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  Outstanding - 2002 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By Christopher Bautista - May 23 - 12:26 pm

  Its an excellent car i had wished that everyone could have one.