Lamborghini Plans SUV

Lamborghini is mulling a return to the utilitarian off-road market after being absent from the field for nearly two decades, according to Reuters.

The SUV would take stylistic influences from the Lamborghini LM002, shown above, which portends a more rugged, Hummer-like look for the new model rather than a high-performance one.

Bentley is also planning an SUV model that'll likely compete with the Lamborghini version. Both Lamborghini and Bentley are owned by parent-company Volkswagen, and both models would likely share mechanical parts with Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche vehicles, says Reuters.

A concept version of the SUV is likely to show up at the 2012 Beijing auto show in April. If it gets the green light, a production-ready model would likely show up for model-year 2016.

Lamborghini is currently a loss-maker for Volkswagen, which is trying to make the brand profitable. SUV models have worked wonders at Porsche and Audi; VW officials think the same could work for Bentley and Lamborghini.

Lamborghini to follow Porsche with SUV (Reuters)

Hybrids, Luxury Cars Top Cars.com Search for April

Fuel-efficient cars and some luxury models topped our 15 biggest gainers in Cars.com search traffic for April. After analyzing the last 30 days of search data, the recently launched Infiniti M35h, Fiat 500, Ford Focus and the Lexus CT 200h saw significant gains on our site.

Increased search demand for more fuel-efficient options lead to a surge in compact and hybrid car traffic on Cars.com when gas surpassed the $4 a gallon mark for the first time in 2008. As we near $4 a gallon once again, it looks like the same trend is shaping up this time around; the only difference is this time more automakers are prepared with fuel-efficient options, including luxury players.

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 at 2011 Geneva Motor Show

• Competes with: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Lexus LFA
• Looks like: Bruce Wayne will soon be trading in his Murcielago
• Drivetrain: 700-hp, 6.5-liter V-12 with seven-speed dual-clutch transmission; all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: June 2011
• MSRP: $376,705

As far as exotic sports cars go, it's hard to top the panache that Lamborghini brings to the table. The automaker has outdone itself with the new Aventador, which is even more aggressive-looking than the Murcielago and stunningly quick.
 
A cursory look at the critical specs will make you do a double-take. At full steam, the Aventador can reach 62 mph in just 2.9 seconds. The car's top speed is 217 mph.
 
What enables such stupefying specs? The Aventador features a 700-horsepower, 6.5-liter V-12 that sends power to all the wheels through a Haldex all-wheel-drive system. The car is also a showcase of aluminum and carbon fiber construction, with a curb weight of just 3,472 pounds.
 
As if the Aventador's distinctive wedge shape weren't enough of an attention-getter, there are vertically opening side doors, electronically controlled air intakes and a movable rear spoiler. A transparent cover for the mid-mounted V-12 is optional.
 
In terms of design and materials, the Aventador's cabin is a significant improvement over the Murcielago's. Unique design elements include a red cover on the large center console that hides the engine's start button, and the instrument panel consists of a large LCD screen. Lamborghini's Ad Personam program offers a number of personalized colors and materials for the car — if it doesn’t stand out enough as is.

2011 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera Video

The Gallardo is Lamborghini’s best-selling model partly because it’s the marquee’s more affordable entry – with a low, low base price of $187,900. If close to $200,000 sounds too plebian for your taste, you can always opt for the even more exotic, even more super, Superleggera trim. “Superleggera” means “super light,” a feat partially achieved by gobs of carbon fiber, inside and out. The car doesn’t play nice when driven slowly, hence the supercar label, according to Cars.com editor Joe Bruzek.

2011|Lamborghini|Gallardo

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept at 2010 Paris Motor Show

• Looks like: Bruce Wayne’s daily driver  
• Defining characteristics: Ultra-lightweight design, stealth bomber exterior looks 
• Ridiculous features: The most extensive use of carbon-fiber construction we’ve seen from Lamborghini  
• Chance of being mass-produced: As is, none; but the concept’s philosophy will likely trickle into future Lamborghinis 

The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept car has similar shapes to the company's Reventon, but its looks aren’t the concept’s show-stopping feature: It’s all about engineering.

The Sesto Elemento uses carbon-fiber construction extensively. The entire front frame, exterior panels, wheel rims, drive shaft and major components of the suspension are comprised of carbon fiber. Going along with that, the tailpipes and brake discs are made out of glass-ceramic material. All this gives the concept an extremely light 2,202-pound curb weight, and when combined with its 570-horsepower V-10 powertrain, it gives this sports car concept a zero-to-62 mph time of 2.5 seconds, which would make this as fast as or faster than a Bugatti Veyron and McLaren F1.

All that carbon fiber and ceramic doesn’t come cheap, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see this thing costing as much as a Bugatti or McLaren, but most likely this car will never be made in this form.

According to Lamborghini, “Every future Lamborghini will be touched by the spirit of the Sesto Elemento,” which doesn’t sound like a production green-light. Instead expect these even sharper Lamborghini lines to be the norm for all Lambos.

A few more images are below, where you can see if this is the direction Lamborghini should be going. Click on them for larger versions.

Recall Alert: 2007-2008 Lamborghini Murcielago

Lamborghini has issued a recall for 428 Murcielago and Murcielago Roadster vehicles from the 2007-2008 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall is due to a dangerous situation with the fuel tank. The welds holding the fuel pump support inside the fuel tank could potentially detach and cause a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, this could start a fire.

Dealers will replace the fuel tank for free. Owners may contact Lamborghini at 508-808-9562 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.

Diddy Loaning Teen Idol Justin Bieber His Lamborghini

If you don’t know who Justin Bieber is then you don’t have any children under age 16. You should count yourself lucky that you’ve missed out on Bieber and his music. The pop sensation is rising up the charts and with fame comes spending time with other famous people. We’re not sure why famous people don’t hang out with non-famous people, but that just doesn’t seem to happen a lot.

The latest famous pairing sent Bieber to hang with Diddy for unknown reasons, but the music mogul promised the 15-year-old Bieber the use of his Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, a $200,000 car, when the young man turns 16. That’s not exactly the car we’d pick for a 16-year-old to toy with. Since Diddy has to take a dusty car cover off the Gallardo Spyder to show it off in the video above, we’re guessing he doesn’t get much use out of it. Oh, famous people…

Finance a Lamborghini for just $5,310 a Month

Have you ever wondered what it’d cost to own an exotic supercar? Well, Lamborghini just announced new financing incentives for its Murcielago LP460 coupe and roadster, which both start at $354,000. The offers include 5.9% for a 12-year term. Yes, 12 years. If you have really good credit, including a credit score of more than 740, you can get 0% financing for 60 months. That comes out to $5,310 a month after the required 10% down payment.

From what we hear, most exotic car purchases are done in cash by very, very wealthy individuals, but Lamborghini’s financing program could mean that’s a thing of the past. Now the ludicrously wealthy can make monthly payments, too.

Source: Lamborghini