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Since the birth of the futuristic, wedge-shaped Countach
in 1971, there has been no feminine side to the unmistakable Lamborghini
shape. Take, for example, the new Murciélago LP640 supercar, the
enhanced version of the company's flagship model that was first introduced
almost five years ago. Starting at the front, and very low to the ground,
a more aggressive new snout rises and widens to the rear, on the way to
becoming more than two meters wide - larger than many streets can accomodate.
Boldly-styled intakes suck in vast quantities of air into the brakes,
the radiators, and the engine, which devours all available oxygen and
spits it all out disdainfully through that massive back end, via a cavernous
center-exit exhaust.
The LP640 has a mystical soul. As soon as you release the
door handle it unfolds its wings with majestic pride, a magical and fascinating
moment. It is the quintessence of the supercar. In it, you can feel the
essence of its speed, hear the music of twelve pistons as only the Italians
are able to chord, and experience the most incredible grip within the
boundaries of physics, giving you a most intense and stirring overall
performance.
With all these qualities, only a race track would be adequately
spacious to allow the beast to be let loose in all its ferocity. So, we
went to the Mugello Circuit in the heart of Tuscany, to collect some driving
impressions over twenty or so laps behind the wheel of both the 6-speed
manual LP640, as well as the technologically-advanced E-gear version with
paddle shifters on the steering column.
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