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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  Lamborghini Murcielago Review - 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By Marsh Mallows - February 27 - 12:46 am

  I love my Lamborghini Murcielago. It is a thrill to drive and I love driving it. Its design is amazing, Im amazed every time I look at it. I am a car lover and when it came time to buy a new car this one was at the top of my list. I love its sleek design and its amazing performance. I would go on forever about this car, but Im going to go drive it!

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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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  Awesome Car - 2002 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By lamborghini - October 10 - 10:00 am

  best car ever bought

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  Truly Exotic Performance - 2005 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By BachLawFirm - October 6 - 3:46 pm

  The power and performance of this vehicle is intoxicating. The huge tires and all wheel drive ensures that this car sticks to the ground in every situation. But probably the must understated feature of this car is that it is very easy to drive in everyday situations, and is not only intended for performance car use like prior Lambos. That is the key difference between this car and many other exotics I have driven or owned. I am very, very happy with my purchase.

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  Wonderful Car - 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo
  By Bonvillain - September 21 - 1:20 pm

  The 2008 is the last year of the original Gallardo, several deficiencies from earlier years were addressed and overall it is the greatest car I have ever owned. The e-gear is great (although not quite as good as the 09 560-4 that i recently drove) and I was always a 6-speed guy. Only real issue I have is all the attention it draws....but its a Lamborghini, so I suppose it comes with the territory. I am surprised by the one negative review, cause ultimately calling a 200k car a good deal seems flawed from the start...gas mileage stinks, they are largely impractical and wicked extreme in nearly every way...but its a Lamborghini!!! and its wonderful.

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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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  Awesome car - 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo
  By riccardo - April 10 - 6:03 am

  This car is great. Ive owned this for 2 weeks and am extremly satisfied with this car. The handling is great, the power is awesome, this car is flaw less. I highly recommend that this be a car of your choice.

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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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  The sweetest car ever - 2006 Lamborghini Murcielago
  By Danny - November 15 - 1:03 am

  This car is the greatest ever! I love driving that demon-like speed machine. Give it a perfect rating. This car rocks!