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Lamborghini Murciélago Barchetta, the concept prototype.
During the opening of the 2003 edition of the Detroit Auto Show, Automobili Lamborghini SpA finally showed us a first
impression of the Murcielago Roadster ... Concept.
The car shown here is still a Concept prototype, but it does look great, and production is very possible, with only
minor changes to this awesome design according to Sig. Guiseppo Grecco, who made this statement when he personally
introduced the car in Detroit.
The fact that a Murcielago Roadster would soon follow after the entry into production of the Murcielago was known from the
start, but it still took over a year for this Concept to be shown to the public, exactly one year after the US
introduction of the Murcielago, the same Auto Show starred the Roadster Concept.
When Sig Grecco introduced the Murcielago Roadster Concept he stated that Automobili Lamborghini SpA would need about 130
firm orders for this new 'open' Lamborghini to be able to enter it into production, and with an estimated price tag of
around US $ 300,000 I don't think they will have any trouble with selling this magnificent new Murcielago.
As stated, the car shown here is still a Concept Prototype, and therefore a one of a kind car which will probably end
up in the factory museum soon, but a more 'civilized' production model should be very close to this prototype so there is
hope the stunning engine cover and wheels will be available on the road soon.
Note that this new engine cover is actually hinged at the rear, so it opens totally different when compared to the closed
coupe model, let's hope it doesn't open at 300 Km/h, that would really be a problem to explain to the insurance company.
Underneath this cover you will find the first evidence that this is a 'roof-less' car, there is an important frame installed
on top of the engine to keep the chassis from flexing under pression.
Naturally there are more reinforcements throughout the Roadster concept, but some or less visible than this one, also note
that this prototype features a lower windscreen and the side windows neatly flow into the shoulder mounted air intakes, who
still raise when needed, a very impressive touch that draws a crowd nearly as large as when opening the trademark upward
moving doors.
There were rumours the engine would be more powerfull, but at the moment it is still the 'standard' engine, a 6.2 Liter
V12 powerplant that puts a total of 580 Bhp on all four wheels, but since the 'gap' with the soon to be introduced
Gallardo model that uses a V10 engine with 500 Bhp is not too large, a power increase will surely be next on the agenda
at Sant'Agatha ... let's wait and see what happens at the March 2003 Geneva Auto Show.
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