Versace and Lamborghini, collaborators since 2006, proudly announce the launch of the new Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 Roadster VERSACE and a unique collection of accessories, both to be previewed for the first time at the Maison’s Via Gesù 12, Milan on Monday June 23rd, 2008.

To create the new super roadster, the Maison Versace’s designers joined forces with designers from the Lamborghini Design Centre (Centro Stile)and specialists working on the “ad personam” project. This Lamborghini program allows individual clients to create personalised sports cars, choosing the equipment specification, the colour of the exterior body and of the interior fittings.

The new limited edition Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 Roadster VERSACE, which will be produced to order, displays a pastel white livery and the Versace Greek key motif on the lower part of the door. Equipped for the very first time with a transparent engine hood that reveals the powerful V12 engine, this model has been reconfigured internally. The cradle seats are clad in black and white leather, while opulent full grain soft nappa leather – hand-embroidered with the Versace Greek fret motif – upholsters the instrument panel, the doors and the central console.

The rigorous design and minimal lines of the Murciélago engine hood inspired the Versace Collection LP 640 range of accessories, which will also be previewed for the first time globally.
Exclusively crafted in black matte calf skin, models include: a trolley bag, suit carrier, sports bag, as well as a briefcase, suitcase, gloves, driving shoes, belt, wallet, key ring, beauty case, hat and a pair of jeans. These hand-made accessories boast traditional craftsmanship, stitching and edging à la française and a palladium-engraved tag displaying both the Versace and Lamborghini logos.

This prestigious accessory collection will be exclusively available at Versace Boutiques and selected Lamborghini showrooms beginning in November 2008.

Gianni Versace’s CEO Giancarlo Di Risio emphasised: “This new supercar and the exclusive Collection LP640 represent a natural evolution of excellence for both Versace and Lamborghini through the creation of these unique, one-of-a-kind projects.”

Stephan Winkelmann, president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., said: “Our collaboration with Versace turned out to be an excellent experience and is an example of how we are pursuing our strategy of developing luxury products outside of luxury sports cars. We are proud to be in this prestigious, Made in Italy partnership with Versace, which adds to our other recent successes.”

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Only 20 of these ‘fashion’ Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Versace would be built … either Bianco Isis (like the Paris show car) or Nero Aldebaran (shown by Versace during the Fashion Week in Milan) … in fact 10 units of each shade would be made available to the public, complete with Versace keychain and luggage to match …

In early 2007 a very special request was made by Versace … to celebrate the fact Gianni and Donatella Versace received the ‘Rodeo Walk of Style® Award’ from the Rodeo Drive Committee and the City of Beverly Hills on February 8. 2007 they wanted to create a one-off version of the already limited edition Murciélago LP640 Versace … in the form of a custom shade Roadster edition.

Finished in Blu Fontura, a very dark, nearly black metallic shade over a black interior with the special Versace stitching rolling on glossy black wheels, this 2007 Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace (chassisnumber ZHWBU47S97LA02408) looked absolutely amazing … and what made it even better was the fact it was up for auction … proceeds would benefit Elton John’s AIDS foundation.

Back in early 2007 famous actress Sharon Stone led the auction for this one of a kind Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace to a winning bid of $500,000 … the car was won by Vik Keuylian of Lamborghini Orange County, where it was offered for sale … rumor had it the car was valued as high as $1,000,000 at one point, unfortunately this very special Versace Roadster didn’t sell … at least not ‘as is’.

At a certain point this special Lamborghini was shipped back to Italy (it wasn’t really an US specs car to begin with either, for one it didn’t have the required side lights) and converted into a regular LP640 Roadster US-specs car … all the bespoke Versace items were removed from the car and it was listed for sale by Cats Exotics … it eventually sold to a customer in China in 2009 … after receiving a rear wing and a $12k stereo upgrade … the original blue LP640 Roadster Versace no longer exists in fact.

But the story would continue … in June 2008 an official press release gets published … Versace and Lamborghini announced the launch of a new Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace together with a unique collection of accessories to be unveiled in Milan on Monday, June 23rd, 2008 … so even the factory no longer considers the blue Roadster to be a Versace edition … to emphasize this the plaque in this new, all white LP640 Roadster Versace, shows ‘0001’.

This new Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace is built to order only, finished in a pastel white shade with the classic Versace Greek fret on the door it is the first Murciélago Roadster to receive the new glass engine cover while the interior used full grain but very soft Nappa leather … combining black and white leather that is stitched with the Greek fret once again.

A series of Versace/Lamborghini accessories was released at the same time, among them a trolley bag, suit carrier, sports bag, as well as a briefcase, suitcase, gloves, driving shoes, belt, wallet, key ring, beauty case, hat and a pair of jeans … all showing a palladium-engraved tag displaying both the Versace and Lamborghini logos … called the ‘LP640 Collection’.

This white ‘0001’ Roadster Versace did sell initially … and in November 2013 it showed up on the second hand market again, listed at €315,000 (about $425,000) by Amian Cars in Germany with less than 3,000 Miles on the counter it was offered as the one and only white LP640 Roadster Versace … which is isn’t in fact, at least not exactly …

There is a lot of controversy about the Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace … the dark blue metallic early 2008 one is no longer considered to be a real Versace Roadster while this white ‘0001’ one is in fact the car used by Lamborghini in their official press release from June 2008 … but there are in fact two other, white Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace units in the world.

In November 2010 Bellagio Motors, located in Costa Mesa USA, lists a 2008 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace edition (VIN ZHWBU47S08LA02895) for $635,000 … finished in ‘Bianco Versace’ over a two tone black (Nero Porseus) and white interior … complete with the famous Versace Greek fret stitching and a special Versace plaque between the seats with only 1,200 Miles on the counter … however things get interesting … this isn’t the same car as the ‘0001’ unit shown in the press release!

There are a lot of differences in fact … this US car is a real US-specs car complete with orange and red side lights while the ‘0001’ car had the Euro style triangular side turn signal indicator. Furthermore this US car has the regular Roadster engine cover, the Versace Roadster should have the glass engine cover as listed in the press release. And the list goes on … take a close look at the interior … the ‘0001’ Versace Roadster has seats with a completely white front, the central console is also covered in white leather and the door insets are white too … this US car has completely black door panels, a black central console and the seats only have white centers, the sides on the front are black leather. Also the plaque is different between them, while the ‘0001’ proudly shows this number on the plaque, the US car doesn’t … in fact there is no serial number on the plaque of this US LP640 Roadster Versace.

Upon closer inspection this US-specs Versace Roadster has an interior identical to the one used in the ten Bianco Isis finished Murciélago LP640 Versace units … so is it a detailed replica, did it borrow the interior from a closed Coupé variant … or has it been ordered from the factory in this form through the Ad Personam program? In fact you could order all the special Versace items found on the Murciélago LP640 from the parts department in Sant’Agata … apart from the Versace plaque between the seats … still this US car wears that plaque with proud, so it either came from a real LP640 Versace coupé or the owner was able to get the plaque from the Versace House in Italy … still it looks exactly how a Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace should, but it isn’t the official press release ‘0001’ car that came up for for sale in Germany in November 2013.

So that means there are already two white Versace Roadster in the world … and to make things even more interesting … there is a third one sold to a customer in the Middle East. An avid fan asked the factory to build him a real LP640 Roadster Versace toward the end of the production … initially they refused, but after some serious negotiations and an undisclosed amount on the final invoice Lamborghini agreed to build a genuine, officially numbered LP640 Roadster Versace … complete with correct plaque between the seats showing ‘0002’.

This ‘third’ Versace Roadster was in fact nearly identical to the first one, correct full white interior, transparent engine cover and all the correct Versace Greek fret stitching on the white central console, the white door insets, the front seats and lower sections of the dashboard … the only visible difference between ‘0001’ and ‘0002’ are the electric window switches on the central console.

So bottom line … how many Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace are there in the world? I would say two official, factory built ones wearing ‘0001’ and ‘0002’ plaques between the seats, however the third one that was located in the United States does look very, very close to a real one too, but the plaque is a bit of a mystery … still it has everything a Versace Lamborghini should have … with the initial, dark blue one no longer being considered a real Versace Roadster I would state there are three units out there, two highly desirable ones with original, correct Roadster plaque and a third very interesting one with a regular Versace plaque.

Sources:

Cats Exotics listing of what is believed to be the original, dark blue LP640 Roadster Versace
The November 2010 listing of the US Specs Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace
Check out this 2010 video of the US Specs Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace.
A nice 2012 video showing the ‘0002’ custom built Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace in Dubai.
The ‘0001’ press release car offered for sale by Amian Cars in Germany.

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Recently we also mentioned that the regular SuperVeloce of which 350 units would be built, was already sold out … but now these 10 China Edition models are also gone, so at the moment there is no way to buy a V12 super car from Sant’Agata anymore with a roof in place.

As far as we know they are still building the LP650-4 Roadster right now, but only on special order, my guess is that the production line is being modified to put the successor in production later this year, I’m almost sure we’ll see a brand new V12 exotic from Lamborghini in Paris this year.

Perhaps the China edition wasn’t to everyone’s taste with that stripe running from front to back, but you must admit that the Murciélago SuperVeloce model is a nice swan song for this by now legendary model from Lamborghini, the first super car built under the reigns of Audi AG after they’ve taken over the company.

It is safe to say the Murciélago reinforced the Lamborghini name worldwide and mode the company profitable once again, adding the Gallardo to the line up later on was probably the best idea ever, building thousands of units for both the V12 and the V10 model made Lamborghini a well known name again in automotive circles, still special and out of this world, Lamborghini is firmly set into automotive history.

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However there is a small light at the tunnel, well actually two to be completely honest for one we’ll probably see a brand new flagship in early October when the 2010 edition of the Paris Auto Show opens it’s doors, but secondly and more importantly a final, highly limited production run of an ever rarer Murciélago will be built, no more than 10 cars, all individually numbered and bearing the customer’s name on a plaque and sadly only available on the Chinese market!

That’s right, during the 2010 Beijing Auto Show Automobili Lamborghini came up with a total surprise: the Murciélago LP670-4 SuperVeloce China Limited Edition was unveiled next to the Asian premiere of the Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera we’ve seen in Geneva last March. With this highly limited flagship model Lamborghini is underlining their commitment to the growing Chinese market remember it actually grew 11 % during 2009, when just about all other markets suffered a serious downfall, China was still growing.

To make sure the lucky few in China that get to own this amazing looking Lamborghini can get it serviced correctly a seventh official dealership just opened it’s doors in Shenzen, later on an eight showroom in Xiamen will open be inaugurated.

Only ten of these stunning Murciélago will be built for the elite of the exotic super car enthusiasts in China, each proudly wearing an orange racing stripe from front to back as a symbol of an erupting volcano while the carbon fiber bodywork is finished in flat gray. Now the normal LP670-4 SuperVeloce was already an impressive piece of automotive workmanship, offering increased power up to 670 from the original 640 on the LP640 model, add to this a weight loss of 100 kg (220 lbs.) and you get an equation of 1 hp per 2.3 kg (5.1 lbs.) propelling up to 100 Km/h from a standstill in a mere 3,2 seconds and not stopping until it reaches a top speed of 342 Km/h. Do note however that the stunning looking rear wing does increase the already impressive down force of the modified bodywork, but it also decreases top speed to ‘only’ 337 Km/h (209 Mph).

Several sources state this China Limited Edition of the Murciélago was built as a swan song for the current flagship and that the production line will be converted to build the successor during the August holiday period when the factory in Italy will be closed. Let’s hope it can take over the reign of the Murciélago with an even more impressive look and power, some say the new model will even get a totally new V12 engine one thing is for sure however it will be a stunner! And I for one can’t wait to see what they came up with to replace a queen like the Murciélago, especially in this SuperVeloce trim.

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Since the introduction of the Murciélago in September 2001, there has been an increasing demand for a high performance model based on the Lamborghini flagship, therefore Audi AG, current owner of Automobili Lamborghini SpA, decided the time was right to built such an extreme car.

Developed by Automobili Lamborghini SpA, with the help of Audi Sports Division and well known German based Reiter Engineering, the Murciélago R-GT will be built to FIA and ALMS specifications.

This means the engine will still be the massive V12 unit, but now equipped with air restrictions, actual power output hasn’t been published yet, but it will be very competitive compared with the cars the Murciélago R-GT will encounter on circuits around the world.

Because of FIA regulations, the VT four wheel drive has been replaced with ‘Rear Wheel Drive’ only and a six speed sequential gearbox will be mounted, total weight for this high-specs Lamborghini will be in the 1100 Kg FIA class specification.

First rumours mentioned only three cars would be built, and no customer cars would be available, but the press conference on September 9. in Frankfurt told otherwise customer cars would be available during 2004 for a base price below 500,000 Euro, note that the Murciélago R-GT is unfortunately not street-legal.

When you buy the Murciélago R-GT you will also receive support from Lamborghini’s own ‘Customer Sports Programme’, a division of Automobili Lamborghini SpA which not only sells these race cars but is also present on and near the track for assistance if needed.

Once the IAA Frankfurt closes the doors, the Murciélago R-GT will be shipped to Reiter Engineering who will perform extensive tests on the car to further develop it and even increase the already massive potential of this new model in the American Le Mans Series and the European FIA GT races.

Reiter Engineering will enter the car for the Estoril race (October 5, 2003) and the Monza race (October 29, 2003), on both occasions the car will be driven by Oliver Gavin and Dutch race driver Peter Kox. The latter was already a driver on the Diablo GTR that was entered last year in the FIA GT races.

Some sources also state that Vici Racing, owned by Ron Meixner, will run one of the Murciélago R-GT cars in the 1000 Km of Le Mans to work on tire development for this extreme Lamborghini.

Finally Lamborghini’s Raging bull will be seen on the race track around the world, ‘a perfect opportunity to show the world the advantages of the Murciélago both in competition and in performance’ according to Dr Werner Mischke, Chairman and president of Automobili Lamborghini SpA.

The American Le Mans Series will show the magnificent Lamborghini Murciélago R-GT in the United States, still one of the largest markets for Automobili Lamborghini SpA, while the European FIA GT series will also see the return of Maserati during the 2004 season, so the Lamborghini will be up against two of the most important competitors, Ferrari and Maserati.

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Milan, 23rd June 2008 – Versace and Lamborghini, collaborators since 2006, proudly announce the launch of the new Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 Roadster VERSACE and a unique collection of accessories, both to be previewed for the first time at the Maison’s Via Gesù 12, Milan on Monday June 23rd, 2008.

To create the new super roadster, the Maison Versace’s designers joined forces with designers from the Lamborghini Design Centre (Centro Stile)and specialists working on the “ad personam” project. This Lamborghini program allows individual clients to create personalised sports cars, choosing the equipment specification, the colour of the exterior body and of the interior fittings.

The new limited edition Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 Roadster VERSACE, which will be produced to order, displays a pastel white livery and the Versace Greek key motif on the lower part of the door. Equipped for the very first time with a transparent engine hood that reveals the powerful V12 engine, this model has been reconfigured internally. The cradle seats are clad in black and white leather, while opulent full grain soft nappa leather – hand-embroidered with the Versace Greek fret motif – upholsters the instrument panel, the doors and the central console.

The rigorous design and minimal lines of the Murciélago engine hood inspired the Versace Collection LP 640 range of accessories, which will also be previewed for the first time globally.

Exclusively crafted in black matte calf skin, models include: a trolley bag, suit carrier, sports bag, as well as a briefcase, suitcase, gloves, driving shoes, belt, wallet, key ring, beauty case, hat and a pair of jeans. These hand-made accessories boast traditional craftsmanship, stitching and edging à la française and a palladium-engraved tag displaying both the Versace and Lamborghini logos.

This prestigious accessory collection will be exclusively available at Versace Boutiques and selected Lamborghini showrooms beginning in November 2008.

Gianni Versace’s CEO Giancarlo Di Risio emphasised: “This new super car and the exclusive Collection LP640 represent a natural evolution of excellence for both Versace and Lamborghini through the creation of these unique, one-of-a-kind projects.”

Stephan Winkelmann, president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., said: “Our collaboration with Versace turned out to be an excellent experience and is an example of how we are pursuing our strategy of developing luxury products outside of luxury sports cars. We are proud to be in this prestigious, Made in Italy partnership with Versace, which adds to our other recent successes.”

The post 2006 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace appeared first on LamboCars.

Warm up laps were driven in sunny conditions on a completely dry track, so racing slicks could again be used, after 14 rounds the nr 7 Lamborghini (Bouchut/Mucke) took the 8th place while nr 8 (Menten/Kox) stayed on the 13th position … so they were ready to race !

After racing a little over two hours the Lamborghini Murciélago R-GT bearing number 7 driven by the Bouchut/Mucke duo passed the finish line in pole position … the initial round of the 2007 FIA GT Championship was won by the All-Inkl.com Bull prepared by Reiter Engineering, with an average speed of 147.92 they covered 69 laps in total.

The second All-Inkl.com Lamborghini driven by Menten/Kox crossed the finish line in 12th position after 2:01:15.953 and 67 laps reaching an average speed of 143.06

Finally the real potential of the Lamborghini Murciélago R-GT has been shown, let’s hope they can keep this up for the rest of the season, at least the All-Inkl.com Racing Team currently has the lead in the 2007 FIA GT Championship with a total of 10 points.

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One car will be led by 2006 All Inkl.com driver, and triple FIA GT Champion, Christophe Bouchut. His team-mate is yet to be announced. “I am very happy to work with the All-Inkl team as I enjoy the friendly family atmosphere,” he said. “The car has made good progress, and although we might not be able to fight for the title, we can aim for good results and podium finishes, which would be a great reward for the hard work of the whole team, and most importantly René Munnich and Reiner Steifel”

Dutch driver Jos Menten today announced that he and Peter Kox would be driving the other Murciélago. Menten, who took pole position at the Paul Ricard HTTT in a Corvette C6, explained : “Last year I learned a lot in the Le Mans Series. I can look back on a solid season with the Corvette C6.R but the results were not always equal to the performances in the cockpit. I am very happy to have agreed terms with Hans and his team. It feels good to be part of the Reiter Engineering family. Sharing the car with Peter offers good perspectives and the team has a lot of experience with the car. We want to battle for the major honors with the Lamborghini Murciélago R-GT.”

Hans Reiter commented: “I am pleased as I believe we have a strong driver line-up for 2007. I believe Jos is one of the most underestimated drivers around, while Peter and Christophe’s qualities are well known. The two teams fit well together, and GT racing is a team sport; results come from a combination of team work and speed.”

The Lamborghini Murciélago made steady progress through the 2006 season, culminating in the Adria round, where the car was fastest in one of the free practice sessions and stayed with the front-runners for much of the race. “We have made some small evolutions over the winter,” Hans continued. “We have worked on the traction control and we have a modified aerodynamic package; the process is continuous. Our aim is to close the gap to the front of the field; we are still a relatively small team compared to Vitaphone or BMS Scuderia Italia. But we have the right drivers and the right tires, with Michelin, and if we make no mistakes, we should be there !”

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This exclusive model was the result of a new partnership between Gianni Versace SPA and the prestigious Automobili Lamborghini SpA based in Sant’Agata, Bologna.

A close collaboration between the Versace designers and the specialists for the ‘Ad Personam’ programme at Lamborghini perfected the already impressive interior found inside the ‘standard’ Murciélago LP640.

The lower section of the dashboard, the doors, the headliner, the central console and the seats were upholstered in a luxurious, full grain, nappa leather, all featuring the distinctive logo of the Versace House, a Greek fret motif, either embossed in the leather or finely stitched.

The Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 VERSACE was equipped with all the options available for this flagship, particularly the new ‘Hermera’ wheels now finished in high gloss black, the Carbon Fiber finish for the interior, the amazing glass engine cover and the well known e-Gear transmission.

The Automobili Lamborghini SpA stand on the Paris Auto Show would display a white ‘Isis’ edition, while during the Fashion Week in Milan, Versace would show the black ‘Nero Aldebaran’ version, the only two colors available for this very exclusive model with a production run of only 10 units !

To lift this rare Lamborghini LP640 VERSACE to an even higher level of luxury there would be a new series of accessories exclusively designed for this model, all hand-made in true Versace ‘Couture’ tradition.

The luggage set, composed of two suitcases (for him and for her) and one suit carrier in matte black calfskin adorned with the Greek fret motif was conceived especially for the luggage room of the Lamborghini Murciélago. On the outside of this set, a special authentication label would show the Versace ‘Couture Limited Edition’ script, this label would be able to open and show some personal information of the owner.

The interior in white satin would also be embroid with the Versace ‘Couture Limited Edition’ logo. Each piece would receive the same serial number as the car it was to be delivered with, this number would be engraved on a plaque inside the luggage.

A pair of driving shoes in blamatt blue calfskin from the Versace ‘Couture Limited Edition’ line and complementary, leather driving gloves completed the luxurious accessory set by Versace.

The ‘Versace Precious Items’ department designed an exclusive watch for the buyers of this car. The ‘Chrono Matt Soft Touch would be available in either a high gloss black or a white ceramic finish, just in case a lady would buy this car, Versace offered a precious ladies watch in glossy white ceramic set with extra clear diamonds.

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After the Countach 25th anniversary edition launched in 1988 and the Diablo SE launched in 1993, Automobili Lamborghini is about to launch the Murciélago 40th Anniversary Edition. A limited amount of 50 numbered cars will be produced in 2003 which will be sold predominantly in Europe, the United States and Japan.

The car will be available in the exclusive Verde Artemis (jade green) colour, with a three layer pearl effect paint and features some significant modifications – both internal and external – compared to the series production Murciélago.

The upper door moulds as well as the ‘voletto’ or pillar surrounding the rear window where the petrol door is located, feature an optic carbon fibre coating.

The grey anthracite coloured wheel rims make the car look more aggressive. The car is also equipped with a newly designed exhaust system and silver grey callipers. The central wheel logo, also newly designed, accurately reproduces Lamborghini’s trademark.

Last but not least, the car will have a lateral side plaque featuring the 40th Anniversary Logo as well as an internal limited edition numbered plaque located inside the rear window.

The interior is also new with an asymmetrical design. The driver’s side is equipped with Grigio Syrius (dark grey) perforated leather and the passenger’s side in smooth black leather.

The new accessories are completed with special floor mats featuring the 40th anniversary logo and an Alpine radio with incorporated CD player. Depending on the market, some cars will also be equipped with a satellite navigation system.

All of the fifty Limited Edition 40th Anniversary Murciélago will be sold at approximately EURO 15,000.- more than the production version of the Murciélago whose current price is EURO 193,000.- (w/o taxes). (US MSRP : $300,200)

The car is accompanied by a special personalised certificate and equipped with the exclusive signed carbon fibre suitcase in the luggage compartment.

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