The debate to end all debates. I just bought a new Yellow Lamboghini LP640 Roadster to go along with my black 599. The reason I bought it was becuase it was so different from the 599. Even though the numbers are basically identical, the two cars feel totally different. The 599 is an elagant and beautiful GT with unbelievable power, pull and speed - its also amazingly comfortable. The 640 is the closest think to a Formula 1 Car (I have driven one) that's street legal. You actually hear the engine noises over the exhaust - and the exhaust is pretty darn loud (anyone thats been in a Formula 1 car knows what I'm talking about). The LP is uncomfortable, super hard, low, responsive and fast. Now the hard question, which is better - I leave that to you - I can't decide. I love them both and would be very upset to get rid of either. One thing that's gonna make my fellow 599 owners happy. Ferrari claims 0-100km at 3.7 and Lambo claims 3.4. Well, I have them both and the 599 is faster 0-100km (I'm 99% positive even though I haven't timed them). Also, the 599 feels faster at highway speeds. They both pull like crazy, but the 599 just gives you a little more. You just press the accelerator and the 599 jumps immediately - the Lambo feels like it has to think about it first. So I leave the question to the forum. resale value aside, which one would you rather have. Do you want to be a gentleman millionaire (599) or a movie star (LP640)???
you are spoiled first off, the 599 IS faster! forget the factory claimed figures as tests have shown otherwise. for me, how/when/where i would use the car, the 599 wins hands down! it is simply the better all around GT/Supercar. the LP is also superfast, sounds as is if a very entertaining drive, looks wicked, but it has a pathetic toupe, and not nearly as accomplished in the ride/handling compromise. old school flamboyance vs cutting edge... to have the choice of either, certainly would be nice
NOT SPOILED - I SPOIL MYSELF (THERE IS A DIFFERENCE) AND AM DAMN PROUD OF IT. As far as the Lambo is concerned: 1) The toupe is not meant to ever be on the car during normal operation (this is a sunny-day car). Even the manual says the soft-top is designed "to offer EMERGENCY cover in the case of rain." It looks bad cause they consentrated on making the car look amazing without a top, and just fit this contraption on (after-the-fact) to protect the car from rain. If they wanted a good-looking top, the car's open top look would have suffered. 2) Your right its a harder ride than the 599, but it feels like it handles better. You would be hard pressed to find a better handling car than the 4-wheel drive 640. So, simply put, the ride/handling compremise is just that, a comprimise, the 599 leans more towards ride, and the 640 towards handling. I don't think one way is better thank the other, just different. But that's the main reason I bought the 640 - if it drove just like the 599, I would never have bought it. I wanted a race car. 3) I don't agree with your styling comment. I think BOTH cars are flamboyant, and BOTH are cutting edge. Its just that the Ferrari hide's all this in its beauty and endless style, and the 640 hides it in its over-the-top space craft design. One comment, I like to drive my 640 to the Ferrari dealer, and my 599 to the Lambo dealer. The reaction by the employees (even high-level) is exactly the same at both dealerships. When I pull up, everyone stops working and wants to see and touch the car. What does that tell you? It tells me that these two cars are special in their own way, and even the competition sees it and respects it.
I personally think thats quite misleading. The LP is no way as hardcore or raw as some of the more focussed cars out there e.g. GT3, CS, CGT etc. If it had been it would be much more fun. If you think the standard LP is loud you ought to try the Tubi. It mutes the voice on the satnav even at full volume and you will be heard well before you are seen.
I installed a Larini Sport Exhaust on my Gallardo and it was over-the-top. Unfortunately, after installation, my wife refused to ride in the vehicle (since then it has been traded in for the Roadster). I agree that a Tubi or Larini exhaust (I prefer the deepness of the Larini as opposed to the higher pitched Tubi) would add alot to my Roadster, but it would really piss her off --- again...
Nice write up mate! I've got a question. How's the hard top version(LP640) comparing with the 599 at responsing? As we all know that the coupe is faster than a roadster.
Well, if the 640 is the closest think to a Formula 1 Car that is street legal,what about the F40,F50 and Enzo? What about a Bugatti EB110? What about a Pagani Zonda or a Koenigsegg?And,of course,what about a McLaren F1? Just wondering
Its the closest thing that I have driven (on your list, I have only driven the ENZO - which is incredible, but not a current car - and has a diffent feel). Also, I think the open top contributes to the feeling of a Formula 1 car (at least to me), so that would rule out some of your cars. Maybe the F50 would be similar due to its open top and incredible power - but unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure of driving one. A nice F50 (one owner, low miles) was offered to me for about 800k a little bit ago, but I chickened out.
I've checked your profile: congarts to your amazing collection ! It's hard to decide ... but i think 599 GTB.
what a hard question, though after thinking about it (not having driven either), i would have to say that i would take a rosso rubino 599 over a lp640 rdstr pretty much any day (except those really beautiful, sunny, warm days). to me, i would prefer to have a car that is beautiful rather than a spaceship (not to say that lambos aren't stunning, it's just that i would prefer to keep a lower profile)
Now do you think maybe the lp640 appears to handle better because the awd? I have historically driven a lot of AWD cars such as Audis and Porsche Turbos and they always feel like they handle better, but in reality on a track environment the awd seems to be a limiting factor. A good example would be the Audi S4 vs. BMW M3, the S4 feels like it has way more grip, but in reality the M3 is faster in the turns even though it doesn't feel like it because you think the back end is going to come out ect. With Porsche's I have a Turbo with coilovers and it always felt like it had more grip than a RWD Porsche including the GT3, but we all know that the GT3 will destroy the turbo even though it has less power. Do you think maybe the comfort and easy to drive feeling of the lambos AWD makes it feel like it handles better? Many people believe Gallardos handle better than 430s too, which I think is due to the awd. Ill take the handling and the feel of a 430 over a gallardo any day. The only reason I ask is because it's hard for me to believe that the lambo roadster which weighs more, has less torsional rigidity and a much less advanced suspension can handle better than the 599. Never the less the lp is a awesome car and I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the writeup and give us more feedback when you get some time too please.
i would have thought the lp640 was faster, just seems like its got more grunt, i have driven an lp640 and it has one hell of a lot of grunt as i would describe it, it doesn't feel like a racing engine it feels like a big powerful moster, i havn't driven a 599 so i can't really comment but from reviews etc i should imagine the 599's more responsive as ferrari's always are but overall i would of thought the lp640 would have it.
Thank you for this awesome and interesting write-up..! I'd take the 599, but wouldn't mind to drive Lambo either..
The 599 is a great GT car. But I'm into ultra exotic supercars. So easy for me to decide. The Lambo all the way baby!
so what happened to your red 599? sell it back, I think you made the right choice with the black! Sounds like a nice garage
Saying it feels like a Formula 1 car doesn't mean I think it handles better than the 599, its just the feeling that I get when I drive it. Actually, today I was speaking with the GM of Lamborghini Miami and told him that I though I could do more with my 599 than the LP640. I told him that you just have to think about doing it with the 599 and it's done, and the LP needs to aimed and carried out. If you can understand that. With that in mind, I think the 599 actually handles better. The big difference between the cars is the percieved weight when your driving them. The LP feels much heavier and I think that is because of the AWD. The 599 feels much li8ghter and more responsive. There both great, but very different. Anyway, here's a pic of the LP in my garage. I'm gonna try and line both of them up later side-by-side, but when I took this pic, the 599 was being detailed. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Traded it in and paid the difference between MSRP. The black was a bit more due to the carbon brakes.
