| Author | Message | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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Different rear bonnet, rims, and ducts too. There's a spy shot in the recent Forza. Looks cool. | ||
| Michael (Mtabije)
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Word out is that the new 550 will be slightly longer and will have the HP bumped up to around 500 HP | ||
| Arnaldo Torres (Caribe)
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I went to the L.A. Auto Show yesterday, and they setup the Ferraris, and Lamborghinis side by side. They were exhibiting a yellow and a black Murcielago. Ferrari had two 360s, a 550 and a 456 GTA. The 360s look awesome, but the Murcielago looked spectacular. The 360 looked unrefine as compared to the Lambo aesthetics. Performance wise, I think it would be unfair to compare the two. Based on the data that Lamborghini posted on their cars, it seems that the Murcielago should be better compared to the F-50 than to the 360 or 550. Moneywise, I think the 550 will be have to pick the slack. Anyway, when you see them back to back, then you can really appreciate the grandeur of these great Italian machines. By the way, there was a great exhibition of the history of Maserati which included race and road going cars from the early 50s (I believe) to the modern spyder. Beautiful works of art! | ||
| Mark (Study)
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the "baby Diablo" will likely come with 400-hp,3.9-liter 40-valve V10. With a 2800-pound curb weight, expected to turn five-second 0-to-62-mph times with a 180-mph top end. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
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Good work, Mark. So how much power in that Lambo V10? | ||
| Mark (Study)
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Saw the new Lambo at the Detroit Auto show today. It looks great in person. I've never seen a good photo of it. Some cars just don't photograph well. The Ford GT40 and New Viper were not that impressive in person. Viper just looks like a kitted up vett. GT40 is an exotic but you have to have that American muscle car thing in your blood to realy love its lines. GT40 has neat glass rear engine cover and Engine looks amazing on GT40 very pretty and exotic chrome and pipes going all over the place. I asked about the baby Lambo V-10 $150k and they assured me that we will begin seeing photos later this year and it will be at the auto show for Jan 2003. Seems they are trying to figure out how to improve visablity so expect some kind of canopy like the NSX or something tricky with windows. Audi and Lambo have already spent 200 million on devlopment cost and have kept the thing very secert. | ||
| Michael (Mtabije)
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 test? crap didnt work...supposed to be the pic of the baby Lambo. I see F360 derived styling | ||
| Mark (Study)
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There is a picture at the site. Go to Lambo News. http://www.lamborghinilist.com/newframed.htm | ||
| Mark (Study)
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(09:45 July 09, 2001) Lamborghini readying for a run at Ferrari for U.S. market dominance By BOB GRITZINGER Lamborghini, long considered an also-ran to Ferrari, has its rival Italian automaker square in its sights as it gears up for a major assault on the lucrative North American supercar market. And the newly emboldened car builder known for its Countaches and Diablos is starting its push by recruiting key technical talent from Ferrari's own U.S. service organization. Ken McKay, who ran Ferrari's U.S. service network for two decades until the 1990s, has already recently recruited several veteran Ferrari technicians for his fledgling, Boston-based Lamborghini Technical Services. "The key is to have the talent-we really needed a good couple of guys," said McKay. "I thought I did pretty good." Pretty good? Though McKay's forays so far have provoked a simple "no comment" from Ferrari of North America, others in the Ferrari ranks see where this confrontation is headed. A Ferrari dealer who asked not to be identified said the days when Lamborghini was content to sell cars to buyers who weren't able to get a Ferrari may be numbered. "The first thing they need is spectacular product, which they don't have yet," said the dealer. "But it's not a question of 'if,' it's just a question of 'when' [Lamborghini will become a stronger competitor]." Product is coming-thanks in no small part to Audi's acquisition of Lamborghini in 1998. Audi's parent company, Volkswagen, is known worldwide for its product leadership, and VW CEO Ferdinand Piech is bringing that same strength to bear on Lamborghini. First up is the much-anticipated Diablo replacement, the L147. The super-luxury sports coupe will be unveiled in Frankfurt in September and will make its U.S. debut next January in Detroit. Deliveries of the first models to U.S. dealers could occur before the January showing. Lamborghini CEO Giuseppe Greco has promised L147 will be better than the Diablo in performance and features. Pricing has not been determined. The L147 will be powered by a dohc, 48-valve 6.0-liter V12-unique to Lambor-ghini-expected to produce about 600 horsepower. Like the Diablo, L147 is based on a tubular steel frame with carbon-fiber body panels and aluminum roof and doors. Though the car will debut as a coupe, Greco says Lamborghini also plans each year to add other L147 variants, such as a roadster or higher-performance versions. What Lamborghini is really after is a slice of Ferrari's bread-and-butter 360 Modena market. In summer 2003-Lamborghini's 40th anniversary-the company will end a two-decade hiatus from the medium-sized, mid-engined super sports car class: It will introduce a V10-powered, all-aluminum, all-wheel-drive coupe capable of rivaling the Ferrari's top seller. Reports that Lamborghini is drawing heavily on its Cala show car for the new L140 model mean the "baby Diablo" will likely come with Cala's 400-hp, 3.9-liter 40-valve V10. With a 2800-pound curb weight, the L140 is expected to turn five-second 0-to-62-mph times with a 180-mph top end. The Ferrari Modena has a 400-hp V8 capable of similar acceleration and speed. For Lambo's product plan to work, the company must also boost production-and U.S. sales-if it aims to make serious inroads into Ferrari's market. With that in mind, Lambor ghini officials are preparing to build more than 400 L147s per year (35 percent earmarked for the States), along with at least 1500 L140s. That's a robust goal, considering Ferrari posted U.S. sales of 1024 cars in 2000. Lamborghini, by contrast, sold 30 cars here. That's where McKay and his key service people come in, providing the kind of support that up to 18 U.S. dealerships will need to convince buyers that a Lamborghini should be their first choice. "You want to try to give them the best technical support you can," said McKay. | ||
| Mark (Study)
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Don't know where I read the news about the Baby Lambo... but it was an article about Audi taking over Lambo and giving them the finances to bring out a second model. Lamborghini has already hired away some key executive from Ferrari to help with setting up a larger marketing stratigy for the US. The rush is on for the Baby Lambo...becuase next year is an anniversery for Lambo... something about 50 years or 30 years since something... Lambo wants the 300HP 8 and the 500HP 12 to give them more reach in the US market. Cool with me. Anyone else hear anything? | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
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Baby Lambo next year? Haven't heard about it. Please elaborate. | ||
| Mark (Study)
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The Baby Lambo will come out next year in a larger number. Car will be in 300 HP range to compete with 360. Lambo wants to increase the number of cars they sell in the US market. Should be very intersting | ||
| Michael (Mtabije)
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Only 200/year are coming to the U.S. geez...think prices will drop for a 2001 Diablo SE? | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
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360 plus $100k=Murcielago | ||
| Simon Bertram (Lordvagabond)
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Amen, Bret =) | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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R&T published my ramblings ?  Cool | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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I love the Diablo 6.0VT. It's just one bad a$$ car. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
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Just noticed William's continued expert opinions on the Murcielago expressed in the new Road & Track (Feb), page 27. You still like that Countach, don't you William! | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
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There is an original GT40 up here in Vancouver that makes it way out for a few vintage events in the year. Its part of a collection owned by the Cohen(sp?) brothers. Awesome! To answer the question: Lambo. The more I look at it, the more I like it. I especially like the nose on this car compared to the Diablos | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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I´d take the Murcielago over the 360 any day, Looks & performance | ||
| Michael (Mtabije)
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I love em both, I'm not picky on design, then again I'm not a man of astute design aesthetics...I'm more reationary and first impressions of "I know what I like when I see it" then I read editorial commentary from design experts and other car rag writers to get a better perspective. But, I do have my limits such as the Pontiac Aztec....shivers....good thing they "tried" to improve the look by making same color body cladding instead of that contrasting gray and body color...still a yucky car but at least my eyes can digest it now without sqinting and sqeezing them together. The new Moo, I really like the front, it has that, "I'm coming to get you!" aggressive look, like it's hungry for miles and miles of tarmac. The Mode has a more functional look to it- stately and businesslike- and has an elegant look at it's profile. | ||
| Simon Bertram (Lordvagabond)
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I personally have loved the lambo "look" for a while, ever since lamborghini came out with the Diablo Roadster and the Diablo 6.0. The roadster because I have a thing for convertible/GTS style cars, and the 6.0 because I just absolutely LOVE the look of that car. With the new Murcielago, I like the look except for the nose... they should have kept the 6.0 nose and redone the rest of the body, and Lambo would have a kick ass car =) Also, reportedly, the murcielago is the best built Lamborghini ever. The idea of variable intake wings I like, but lookswise, I think Lamborghini could have done better on the nose, but everything else is right =) Now, the 360... hmmm... it's a Ferrari, nuff said, in my youthful opinion. | ||
| Arnaldo Torres (Caribe)
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I think the Lambo's aesthethics have an edge over most contemporary Ferraris except, of course (I own one, ha!), the Testarossa. Specially when comparing any Lambo nose to that of the 360. The GT40 in that picture looks awesome but it does remind me of some of the Ferraris of its days (coincidence?). Anyway, from devils to bats... is Lamborghini getting politically correct? or should I say religiously challenge?, LOL! | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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I am disappointed with the 360s looks, especially the headlights & front bumper. Seems like Pininfarina created a retro based on the 250LM which was never 1 of my faves either Regarding the GT40, Which Ferrari did they race against ? the 330P4, easily 1 of the most gorgeous car Ever built. I want to see a retro done on the P4. FYI the P4 spawned the 246 Dino, 308, BB, & TR models The new CHevy Belair is horrible, how could they take suc a great classic name & use it on this pig they built ? I agree they should have done a retro on the 57 Belair, similair to the PT Cruiser but better & they would sell Millions. Instead we get a turd | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
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Mark, aren't you forgetting the Fiero? Chevy experimented with mid-engined Corvettes for decades and they never went into production with any of the designs. I think the new Lambo's shape is alright. Very smooth and clean. I'm a bit concerned about the huge lower scoops on the sides though. They look like they'll suck up rocks, road debris, and small children. | ||
| David Jones (Dave)
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The GT40 is one of my all time favorite cars... When I was growing up in San Diego my dentist had a Ford GT40 as his daily driver. It was white with blue racing stripes, and a bad ass machine. Think about it, take one sixty's era race car, built with today's technology! I have always thought that if Chevy would re-release the 57 Belair, and Nomad wagon with todays weight saving compounds, and performance suspension and engine setups, they would sell the crap out of them. Maybe not..... | ||
| Tenney (Tenney)
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Excellent idea Willis, re: 550/250GTO. I'd buy ... er ... get on the list for that one. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
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Oops, I meant to type GT40 not F40 in the earlier post. | ||
| Mark (Study)
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I"m just glad America will finaly have a mid-engine car. You would think it was rocket science or something? But I'm getting real tierd or Retro look for everything (Damn Baby-Boomers) | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
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Hey, how about a 250GTO body over 550 Maranello mechanicals? | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
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Yeah, if Ford resurrect the F40 again, which one of the "oldies" should Ferrari bring up. This only tells me that Ford is running out of ideas. | ||
| Mark (Study)
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Just found it... Check out Ford's new super car. "the old Ferrari killer" LOL http://www.detnow.com/naias2002/gallerysunday3/p0004059.html | ||
| Mark (Study)
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Found a good new photo of the Lambo "bat" from the Detroit Auto Show web site. http://www.detnow.com/naias2002/gallerymonday1/p0004085.html What do you guys think of the shape from this angle? I like it, car looked too fat from front or back, but looking sharp from the side profile. Trying to find a new photo of FORD's new 500hp supercar, they are gearing up to fight the Viper and Ferrari. |