The brand's style icons: From Miura to Huracán
Back to overviewLooking back on the past 50 years, one model stands out as the ultimate classic Lamborghini – the Miura. Built from 1966 to 1972, it was the first radical sports car from Sant’Agata Bolognese and the first Lamborghini to bear a name from the world of bullfighting. The two-seater was one of the most powerful cars of its time with up to 283 kW (385 hp) of power, and it set legendary records for top speed. Its ultra-flat body concealed innovative technology – a transverse mounted V12 made the Miura the first mid-engine sports car for street use.
At 4.39 meters (14.40 ft) long, 1.78 meters (5.84 ft) wide, but only 1.05 meters (3.44 ft) tall, the two-seater appears to crouch over the asphalt, while the flowing lines of its aluminum body express concentrated power. Low-profile folding headlights characterized the front end; the driver would activate one switch to open them upwards, then a second switch to turn them on. Originally designed to be a low-volume product to showcase technology and styling, the Miura unexpectedly became a sales success. Instead of the targeted total production of 50 units, over one hundred of the cars were produced at the quickly expanded plant – every year.
The successor to the Miura was also a success – the Countach was in the product line-up from 1974 to 1990. Its styling based on the strict use of wedge-shaped lines and the now longitudinally mounted V12 mid-engine proved to be timeless. In the Diablo, which followed the Countach, large sections of the body were made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) for the first time – a high-end material in which the brand has continually built up its competence right up to today. The Diablo VT of 1992 was the first Lamborghini to offer all-wheel drive, which is now a standard feature of all Lamborghini models.
In the V12 series, the Diablo was followed at first by the Murciélago and the Reventón; the latter in an exclusive limited series. The Aventador made its debut in 2011, and at the beginning of 2013 the brand introduced an open-top version. The Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4* accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 2.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 350 km/h (217.48 mph). A key component of its technology package is the CFRP monocoque with the characteristic scissor doors. Its drive unit is an extremely high-revving and torque-strong naturally aspirated V12 engine with 6.5 liters of displacement and 515 kW (700 hp) of power. The CDS cylinder deactivation system and the innovative Stop & Start system with high-performance capacitors, known as supercaps, enhance its efficiency.
The Lamborghini Veneno, the exclusive new model from the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show utilizes CFRP high-end material. It is sold in only three units. With its 552 kW (750 hp) of power and excellent aerodynamic efficiency, this Lamborghini is a race car for the streets. At the end of 2013 the Roadster Version was presented in Abu Dhabi on the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour as the excellence of Italian car industry.