Autoblog UK

The 2009 IAA may have been the one and only opportunity for the many fans of beautiful fast supercars to admire the new open-top Lamborghini Reventon. Only 20 models will be built and they will disappear into the garages of well-heeled collectors. The complete Reventon range sold out in under two weeks. Eleven of the dream cars will find homes in America and seven will remain in Europe. One will be whisked off to Dubai and another to Japan. Financially, it's been a worthwhile exercise for Lamborghini, as each Reventon costs as much as three LP 640s.

The designers of the Reventon took their inspiration from fighter jets. They went to an Italian air force base and borrowed styling cues from the Tornado and the F22 Raptor. The end result is breathtaking. The Reventon, with its straight-as-a-die styling, looks simply out of this world. It's flatter, wider and even more extreme than the standard fare from Sant'Agata.

Lamborghini Reventon
340 km/h
650 horsepower
0-62mph: 3.4 sec

The designation for this Lamborghini is a reference to the position of the engine – 'longitudinale posteriore' – and to the 640bhp output of the engine. In reinterpreting the Murcielago LP640, the design team at the Centro Stile Lamborghini strove to abide by the traditional styling principles of purism, sportiness and functionality. This 'bull' from Sant' Agata Bolognese performs the 0 to 62mph sprint in just 3.4 seconds. Fuel consumption is 13 mile to the gallon (21.3 litres per 100km). Just like its predecessor, the LP640 has permanent four-wheel drive. The combined sound of the engine, air resistance and tyre rumble at top speed resemble that made by an aircraft. In this Lambo, you feel like you are about to take off.

Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster LP640 E-Gear
210mph (340 km/h)
640 horsepower
0 to 62mph in 3.4 seconds

When it was launched in September 1999, the Diablo's top speed of 338 km/h (209mph) made it the fastest series production sports car the world had ever seen. Essentially an upgraded version of the Lamborghini V12, the Diablo now delivered 575 horsepower, while the specification also included bigger brakes and a modernised interior. The weight had also been reduced through the introduction of lighter materials. Only 80 of this model were built. Designed by Marcelo Gandini, the car is characterised by its wedge shape. Once past the 4,000-revs threshold, the Diablo releases a magnificently apocalyptic wall of sound.

Lamborghini Diablo GT
209mph (338 km/h)
575 horsepower

Italy's ultimate dream car is 4.7 metres long, over 2 metres wide and as flat as an arrowhead. With the lid up, it stands just 1,134mm tall and with the top down - 1,132mm. In other words, its like a stealth bomber. We're talking about the Lamborghini Reventon Roadster, which, like the glamorous girls, is causing quite a stir at the IAA in Frankfurt.

The heavily contoured bodywork with its razor-sharp edges and dramatic sweeps consists almost entirely of carbon fibre components. The raked-back windscreen and the wraparound side windows are redolent of a speedboat cockpit. The underbody culminates in a diffuser and a rear spoiler produces even more downforce. A few facts and figures: 60-degree V12 engine, 6.5L displacement, 650bhp at 8,000rpm. From a standing start, the roadster can reach 62mph in 3.4 seconds. Top speed is around 200mph (330 km/h).

Lamborghini is now coming out with the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni Gallardo. Limited to a production run of 250 units, this supercar will put out 10bhp less from the V10 engine than the LP 560-4 and only has rear-wheel drive. But this also means that the weight of the supercar is reduced by almost 200 kilogrammes. The most noticeable characteristic of the rear-wheel drive Lamborghini is a white stripe running over the centre of the bonnet to the rear and along the seats inside. What is also noticeable arethe white centre console and a plaque beneath the left side window with the signature of Valentino Balboni and the production number of the car. From1967, Valentino Balboni was a test driver for the renowned Italian marque and since 1973 he sat behind the wheel of every Lamborghini prototype and tested many series models during their testing phase. Today, Balboni is a pensioner and travels as a brand ambassador. Balboni's initials on the vehicle mean a hefty surcharge for the customer, who can count with a purchase price in excess of 190,000 euros.

The attribute "green" was always one that would have seemed to suit Italian supercar manufacturer Lamborghini as well as fire suits water. The buzzwords that are more likely to spring to mind are ones like "expensive", "elegant", "fast" or "beautiful" in the case of Lamborghini. But the Italian manufacturer can hardly be seen as a major "CO2 sinner", given that they only construct a few thousand vehicles per annum in one central plant. Apart from that, owners tend to drive these vehicles less than average car owners do. But even if performance is still going to remain more important than fuel consumption with these racers, at least a gesture is being made towards environmental protection and the CO2 emissions of the factory are being cut substantially. To contribute to this, a 17,000sqm large solar plant is to be installed on the roof of the factory before the end of this year. For next year, it is planned to reduce energy consumption by 30%.

Just because a super sportscar sheds a few pounds, that doesn't make the designers guilty of promoting bulimia. On the contrary, it merely goes to show that the body is capable of even more. The vehicle in question is the new Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4, weighing in at precisely 100 kilos less than its LP 640 predecessor. And as the name suggests, they've managed to boost the powerplant by an extra 30bhp at the same time. Which makes this Lamborghini the top performer of all time. So that we might not be left with any residual doubts, the Italian job also received a suitable addendum to its name: the Lamborghini LP 670-4 'SuperVeloce'.

Boasting twelve-cylinders and four-wheel drive, it accelerates from 0 to 100kph in just 3.2 seconds. Carbon-fibre is what has contributed the most to the dramatic weight loss, with only the roof and door skins being fabricated from steel. In the gallery, you can admire the latest pics from the Geneva Motor Show.

The Motor Show is every bit as exclusive as L.A. itself and it was here that Lamborghini presented the new Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder to the public. This sports car manufacturer is looking to continue with the success that the Gallardo has already seen.

Design and the good handling of the preceding model will provide a driving experience that is virtually unlimited. "With the design language and best-of-class performance of the completely new LP 560-4 Spyder, we are adding yet a further dimension to the Gallardo series," promises CEO Stephan Winkelmann.

With almost 40 HP more than the last model, the LP 560-4 Spyder should get the pulse of any sports car fan racing. Add to that the acceleration of 0-60 in 4 seconds, a top speed of 201 mph plus the fact that, despite its higher performance, the consumption is lower than that of the last Gallardo. A new and lighter transmission means quicker changing times and the running gear was completely redesigned.

Reservation orders can now be placed for the LP 560-4 Spyder. The price for this gem from Bologna is around EUR 160,920 and that does not include the VAT, which in itself would probably buy you a cosy little set of wheels. You can expect to hear the first of the new models from the new Gallardo generation howling along the roads in early 2009.