Times might be tough in the world of exotic sports car sales, but Lamborghini continues to grow as an automaker announcing that the 4,000th Murciélago model has just rolled off the production line, destined for a customer in China.

Introduced back in 2001, the Murciélago has been a much larger success than its predecessor, the Diabo, which totaled 2,900 units over its 11 year production run. “The enthusiasm our products incite makes us proud and confirms that the company’s product strategy and model range are a winning combination, producing exceptionally desirable super sportscars,” said company President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann.

The 4,000th Murcie is no standard model either, but rather an ultra high performance LP670-4 SuperVeloce with 670-hp and significant weight reduction. Lamborghini claims a 0-62 mph time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 212 mph.

With 4,000 units now sold at a base price of at least $300,000 (most models costing much more than that), the company has moved at least $1.2 Billion worth of Murciélagos. Lambo’s more populist model, the Gallardo has been an even larger success with almost 10,000 units sold since 2003.

Official release after the jump:

BMW will resurrect the M1, basing the new exotic car on the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, which debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The car will hit the market in 2012 says the U.K.’s AutoExpress, keeping much of the concept car’s green technologies, while offering performance to rival the Audi R8.

The car will be geared towards performance with a two-plus-two seating arrangement. It will also (says AutoExpress) get a 3D heads up display.

The 1.5-liter 3-cylinder hybrid powertrain will also be used, making roughly 350hp and 590 ft-lbs of torque, allowing the car to hit 60 mph in under five seconds. A drag coefficient of just 0.22 cd is expected thanks to a setup that will see air directed through the front bumper and out of the front wheel arches – something that will also improve stability at speed.

The new 1.5-liter engine is also expected to be used across BMW’s product range, helping to brand the company with a new environmentally responsible image.

GALLERY: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept in Frankfurt

[Source: AutoExpress]

With the debut of the new R8 Spyder at the Frankfurt Auto Show last week, Audi has just released two videos of the drop-top exotic. The second one is a montage of clips showing a delicious brown R8 Spyder comfortably cruising in Miami. The first bit of video is a shorter promo clip of the drop-top being expertly thrashed.

The R8 Spyder is powered by the Lamborghini sourced 5.2-liter V10 and makes 525hp. It can hit 62 mph in 4.1 seconds and blast on to a top speed of 195 mph!

What might be most impressive about the drop-top R8 is that the exotic German sports car only weighs 13.23 lbs more than the Coupe, thanks in part to the R8’s already stiff chassis and a light-weight soft-top instead of a retractable hard top. The total curb weight of the car is now 3,792 lbs. Additional weight savings were made through the use of carbon fiber for not only the side blades but also the rear tonneau cover for the soft top.

As for the soft-top, it opens and closes in just 19 seconds at speeds u to 31 mph and Audi claims the interior noise with the top up is almost identical to that of the coupe.

As for the style of the R8 Spyder, it is certainly stunning, with a bold chrome grille, gloss black detailing and a rear tonneau cover with large vents. Special Y-spoke wheels in a 19-inch fitment complete the design with 235/35/19 tires up front and 295/30 tires out back. For added grip, Audi also offers the R8 Spyder with 305-wide rear tires.

No U.S. Pricing has yet to be set, but in Europe it runs 156,400 euros.

GALLERY: 2010 Audi R8 Spyder

Ferrari has just released a brief video of its latest exotic, the 458 Italia, going full-tilt on a race track. And as you might expect… it’s incredible.

Using an aluminum chassis and plenty of other light weight metals and materials the 458 Italia weighs an astonishingly low 3,043 lbs in its dry form. Combining this ultra-low weight with a new 4,499cc V8 engine and a new smooth-shifting dual-clutch 7-speed transmission (that Ferrari claims is faster than the current F1 tranny), the 458 Italia can hit 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds and blast on to a top speed of 202 mph.

Power output is rated at 570hp at 9000 rpm and 398 ft-lbs of torque at 6000 rpm.

As expected, however, the 458 is about far more than straight line speed and so Ferrari has worked hard at applying its racing technology to improve the E-Diff differential and F1-Trac traction control systems to allow the newest prancing horse to put down 32 percent more power out of the corners.

Watch in awe as it does just that.

Unveiled in a stunning light-matte-gray color called Reventón Grey, Lamborghini drew back the covers on Reventón Roadster at the Frankfurt Auto Show today. With just 15 models scheduled to be built Lamborghini’s pre-unveiling video reminded those in attendance that while your chances of climbing Mount Everest at 2,000,000 to 1 and your chance of having a baby that will grow up to win a Nobel prize is 50,000 to 1, your chance of owning a Reventón Roadster is 700,000,000 to one.

Those lucky 15 will get to experience the top down Reventón with the LP670 SV’s high-output 670hp engine. With full power at 8000 rpm, torque of 487 ft-lbs is available as of 6000 rm. When combined with Lamborghini’s all-wheel drive system the car blasts to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 205 mph.

“The Reventón is the most extreme car in the history of the brand,” says Lambo CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “The new Roadster adds an extra emotional component to our combined technological expertise – it unites superior performance with the sensual fascination of open-top driving.”

The chassis of the car is made of steel and carbon fiber with the body made almost entirely of carbon fiber – with the exception of the doors, which are steel. Thanks to the use of light-weight components, the massive drop-top weights a reasonable 3,725 lbs – just 55 lbs more than the Coupe.

And along with the already wild exterior, the Roadster features a rear spoiler that deploys at 80 mph and then folds up to an even steeper angle at speeds above 136 mph.

Other highlights include the use of LCD screens in the cockpit, instead of traditional gauges.

GALLERY: 2010 Lamborghini Reventón Roadster

Just ahead of the car’s debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Lamborghini has released photos of its Reventón Roadster.

The drop-top Reventón is rumored to be made in even more limited numbers than the coupe, with just 10 versions being built. And while the coupe model looked wild, but didn’t really offer any performance gain over the standard LP640, the Roadster is expected to get theLP670 SV’s 6.5-liter V12 with 670hp and 487 ft-lbs fo torque, enabling it to hit 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 212 mph.

Pricing is expected to be rated at roughly 1.15 million Euros, although if you haven’t already put down your deposit, you’ll have to wait for a second-hand version, as all 10 units are being pre-sold.

We’ll be sure to bring you official details of the car with live coverage from the Frankfurt Auto Show starting September 15.

GALLERY: Reventón Roadster

[Source: WorldCarFans]

Thanks to the folks at iCar we have this single photo of the upcoming replacement for the Ferrari F430, the 458 Italia. Ferrari has already release four images of the new exotic, but those are computer generated images. Here we have the first solid idea of what the 458 will look like when its unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September.

The new mid-engine exotic is powered by a 4.5-liter V8 that puts out an incredible 570hp at 9000 rpm and 398 ft-lbs of torque at 6000 rpm – 80 percent of which is available at just 3250 rpm.

The new engine it a typically high compression Ferrari V8 rated at 12.5:1 and uses direct-injection technology. This means it gets better fuel economy that otherwise might be expected with a combined city/highway rating of 17.2 mpg. In comparison, the F430 only got 16 mpg on the highway.

Using an aluminum chassis and plenty of other light weight metals and materials the 458 Italia weighs an astonishingly low 3,043 lbs in its dry form (expect an extra 100 to 200 lbs with all fluids in place).

Combining these factors with a new smooth-shifting dual-clutch 7-speed transmission (that Ferrari claims is faster than the current F1 tranny), the 458 Italia can hit 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds and blast on to a top speed of 202 mph.

As expected, however, the 458 is about far more than straight line speed and so Ferrari has worked hard at applying its racing technology to improve the E-Diff differential and F1-Trac traction control systems to allow the newest prancing horse to put down 32 percent more power out of the corners.

We’ll be sure to bring you full details and lots of photos from the Frankfurt Auto Show starting September 15th.
[Source: iCars]

Yesterday photos of a new Lamborghini model surfaced on the web and today Lamborghini has confirmed that the new model is indeed the LP550-2. But there is more to the story than that. The new model is officially named the LP550-2 Valentino Balboni, after the former Lamborghini test driver turned brand ambassador.

Balboni was hired by Lamborghini in 1967 by Ferruccio Lamborghini himself. His driving expertise have  helped to fine tune cars like the Miura and since 1973 he has driven every prototype the exotic Italian automaker has created.

Balboni’s motto is that, “A Lamborghini must always combine the precision of a race car with the reliability of a good friend.”

In keeping with Balboni’s automotive enthusiasm the LP550-2 makes 550hp at 8000 rpm and 398hp at 6500 rpm. What is truly exciting, however, is that this model, as the “2″ in the name suggest, is rear-wheel drive. Even more exciting, it weighs just 3,042 lbs!

Those two factors combine to offer a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph.

Lamborghini completely re-engineered the LP560-4 to come up with this special edition model. With the lighter weight and rear-drive layout new springs, shocks, sway bars and even tires are required. Even the aerodynamics have been changed slightly. Lamborghini also reprogrammed the ECU to work better with the rear rear-drive setup and new limited-slip-differential, allowing for significantly more sideways action in the high-performance CORSA mode.

Other highlights include a clear engine cover, a backup camera, a navigation system, Bluetooth and a hydraulic air suspension for the front axle.

The special edition LP550-2 Valentino Balboni will be offered in eight colors including Bianco Monocerus, Verde Ithaca, Arancio Borealis and Nero Noctis. The wheels will come in dark gray with the brake calipers in either black, orange or yellow.

In total, just 250 units of the LP550-2 Valentino Balboni will be built at a cost of $219,800.

GALLERY: Lamborghini LP550-2 Valentino Balboni

Full specifications after the jump:

As expected, Ferrari-tuner Novitec Rosso has released a power-package for the drop-top F430 Scuderia Spider 16M. Thanks to two superchargers the Scuderia’s already impressive engine now puts out 696hp at 8400 rpm and 503 ft-lbs of torque at 6300 rpm. That is an increase of 186hp and 156 ft-lbs of torque.

Novitec claims a 0-62 mph time of just 3.5 seconds with 124mph (200km/h) coming in just 9.7 seconds. Those autobahn-loving Germans at Novitec even give a 300 km/h (186 mph) time of 23.8 seconds. Top speed has been increased from 196 mph to 205 mph.

Due to the Scuderia’s stunning exterior, Novitec decided to leave the body of the Ferrari well-enough alone. However, those looking for a new set of wheels are certain to love the larger 20×8.5-inch front and 20×12-inch rear NF3 rollers, that allow for 235/30/20 and 325/25/20 Pirelli rubber. A height-adjustable suspension is available, which can raise of lower the front axle by 40 mm (1.6-inches) – perfect for making sure you don’t leave any paint behind while exiting the parking garage.

GALLERY: Novitec Rosso F430 Scuderia Spider 16M

Official release after the jump:

In an ambitions new emissions reduction strategy Lamborghini has just unveiled, the Italian exotic car maker says it will look to hybrid powertrains (among other things) to cut vehicle emissions by 30 percent by 2015. The company has already made a significant step in that direction with the launch of the LP560-4. Due to the use of direct-injection, that new vehicle emits 18 percent less CO2.

As for the other engineering initiatives Lamborghini will make to hit its target, the company said in a press release that it will also look at biofuels. This shouldn’t be too difficult considering Bentley (which, like Lamborghini, is owned by Volkswagen) has already made significant progress in this field.

Start-stop systems, which turn off the engine when at a light or in traffic, are also a possibility and would no doubt be a part of any hybrid powertrain.

More conventional practices will also be employed, with the company promising to cut the weight of its vehicles while further enhancing aerodynamic efficiency.

The company also cites “improved combustion” in its list of green initiatives and we are no doubt likely to see direct-injection on the successor of the Murciélago – if not sooner.

But Lamborghini’s green plan isn’t just limited to its cars. The company aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 30 percent at its factory.

To do this it will transform the roof of its factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy into an energy generator using solar panels. The company says the system will produce 20 percent of the power the factory uses. At the same time, the roof will undergo a massive overhaul with better insulation, lighting and heating that will reduce energy consumption by an additional 10 percent.

“Despite the difficult situation in today’s global economy, Lamborghini is committed to its policy of environmental management, since we are well aware of the great opportunities that derive from it,” said  Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “We have an objective to reduce CO2 emissions to the greatest possible degree. We have also set compulsory annual goals that are part of an integrated approach both considering the automobile as an element which is more considerate of the environment, in terms of emissions and the use of resources, to the accomplishment of a series of corresponding measures such as modifications to our factory.  This is an important action for Lamborghini and a central opportunity for our long term corporate and product development.”

The move has been applauded by the European community, with Guido Sacconi, President of the European Commission on Climate Change saying the company was “on the right path.”

“We have been particularly satisfied with the actions it [Lamborghini] has taken thus far, because they illustrate this company’s desire to embrace a new industrial vision which combines competitiveness and performance with social responsibility,”  Sacconi said.

Official release after the jump: