As the Lamborghini Diablo’s flame was being extinguished, a fiery new 760-hp engine zipped into the “perfect supercar”: the Murcielago. With a starting price of $354,000 and a naturally-aspirated V12 engine, the first car built under Audi's stewardship was in production until 2010.
When Audi took over Lamborghini in 1998, there was pressure to step up to the Italian stallion stable with a shiny new model, and Audi delivered with the Murcielago. This new, user-friendly generation of Lambos bridged the gap between tradition and innovation. The Murcielago was the more reliable iteration of the Diablo, with reimagined details from the 21st century, and some would argue it’s the best supercar ever created.
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What makes the Lamborghini Murcielago special?
Designed by the brain behind the Diablo, Luc Donckerwolke, the Murcielago was unveiled as Lamborghini’s all-new “hypercar.” The name is derived from a resilient bull that withstood 24 sword strokes in the arena before its life was spared. The spirit behind the model’s design is one of a phoenix rising from the ashes, overcoming hardships, and speeding ahead into the sunset.
The Murcielago had all the bark to back up its bite with a naturally-aspirated V-12 engine built to giddy up from 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds. Not only is the engine one of the best ever made, but the Murcielago was upgraded to include a three-stage variable geometry intake manifold and exhaust valve variable timing, solidifying it as one of the most powerful rides on the road.
Engine
The 2001 launch of the Murcielago was powered by a 6.2 L naturally-aspirated V12 engine, cranking out 572 hp and 479 lb-ft. The game-changing engine mesmerized its drivers and wowed the sports car enthusiasts when the six-speed manual gearbox was added. The power was eventually increased to 670 hp with a weight reduction of over 200 lb by the last iteration of the model.
Nothing is perfect though—even this supercar. The Murcielago is a stunner, but it’s also a gas guzzler, with a pitiful fuel economy that might as well get you from your door to your mailbox. The average mileage for city/highway/combined lands around 8/13/10.5 for the Murcielago.
Speed
Fasten your seatbelt, and maybe even grab a helmet, because the Murcielago launches from 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds. Accelerating to 100 mph takes the supercar 6.8 seconds, and you can clock a quarter-mile in 11.1 seconds. Before you win any NASCAR titles behind the Murcielago’s wheel, just know that its top speed caps off at 212 mph.
Styling
Taking on the persona of the rebellious sibling of the Diablo, the Murcielago sports angular lines, cool curves, and sleek intakes and outlets to sustain the prized V12. You’ll feel like you’re one with the powerful engine behind the wheel of the integrated cockpit, whether you opt for the coupe or convertible.
Customization
Although the Murcielago was revealed in Italy with a sleek, metallic black shade, there were 14 exterior color options to choose from. Since Murcielago left the scene in 2010, the customization options are limited for anyone looking to purchase one today. Your best bet will be to add aftermarket features to the interior, exterior, wheels, and more with a site like Carid.com
. LP 670-4 SuperVeloce: The final Murcielago
The Murcielago was a revolution in Lamborghini history, and its evolution ended with the LP 670-4 SuperVeloce in 2010.
The SuperVeloce was the souped-up version of the original model, boasting an increased 670 hp and a weight reduction of 220 lbs. With the beastly 6.5 liter V12 and subtle design tweaks, a total of 4,099 cars were produced until the SuperVeloce’s last day on November 5, 2010.
How much does a Lamborghini Murcielago cost?
Since the Murcielago is a fixture in supercar history, the exact price you pay for one will depend on several factors like availability, age, customization options, condition, mileage, and more. Generally, these fighting bulls run between $150,000 and $486,061.
With the Murcielago’s original base price starting at $239,000, the costs increased with each of its three trims:
Murcielago LP640-4 Roadster: $382,400
LP640-4 SuperVeloce: $450,000
Used cost
Any Murcielago you buy will be a used
one since production wrapped over a decade ago. If you’re shopping around for one now, you’ll notice a wide range of prices, but here are some price points to keep in mind from the model’s last five production years: 2010: $224,511 to $344,216
These numbers are estimates based on dealerships with available Murcielagos on the market, so take them with a grain of salt. Depending on where you’re buying one from, how it’s customized, what trim level it is, and other factors, you could either pay below or above any of those listed prices.
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How much does it cost to insure a Lamborghini Murcielago?
With additional insurance needed to protect add-ons and customizations, the insurance expenses for a Lamborghini are all over the map. The typical Lambo owner can pay anywhere between $5,400 and $7,950 per year on insurance. When it comes to the Murcielago, expect to pay on the lower end at around $5,427 annually.
While the rate you’ll pay hinges on your driving record, credit score, accident history, and more, some factors can work in your favor. If you’re 55 and older with a clean driving record, you could end up paying closer to $4,612 annually for Lambo insurance. On the other hand, drivers around 18 years old can see costs of over $5,500 per year.
How does the Lamborghini Murcielago compare to other models?
While the Murcielago blew high-speed cars out of the water in 2001, it’s worthwhile to explore how it stands up to the competition now. With the likes of its successor, the Aventador, and its competitor, the Ferrari, let’s take a look at how the specs stack up against each other.
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| | | Electrically-assisted 6.5-liter V-12 w/802 hp | | |
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| | | 8.0-liter W-16 w/1,578 hp | | |
| | | 4.0-liter V8 w/three electric motors, combined 986 hp | | |
Where you can buy a Lamborghini Murcielago
If your wallet’s engines are revving while reading up on the Murcielago, you might be able to take off with one in one of three ways:
If a private seller is ready to kiss their Lambo goodbye, you could take that route to land a Murcielago. You could also pinpoint a model through sites like CarFax
and Autotrader
. If you prefer to scope the model out in person, you can locate a Lamborghini dealership here
. Save up for a Lambo by lowering your car insurance premiums
If your finances are as fortified as the Murcielago’s engine, you might not be splitting hairs when it comes to your budget. However, savings on car insurance for one of the most expensive products out there is never a bad idea. With Jerry
, the trustworthy super app
, you can put your finger on the best policy for your precious Murcielago in minutes. Although 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds is impressive, signing up for a comparison shopping adventure in 45 seconds with Jerry isn’t bad, either. Once your information is entered, you’ll get to choose a quote sourced from a top-rated insurance company and start your journey to savings. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy and manage any of the usual hassles.
The best part? The average Jerry user saves over $800 per year on car insurance!
“Because I have a luxury car, I was more interested in finding better coverage than the exact price. Jerry
helped me upgrade my policy, and when my record is cleared next year, I will be using Jerry again to choose an even cheaper plan!” —Paige W.
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