2008 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640

"The Murciélago embodies the pure, unadulterated values of our brand. It is truly extreme, uncompromising and unmistakably Italian." - the words of Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, in a speech in 2010 outlining the company's future plans and celebrating the end of production of the Murciélago.

The car may have been 'unmistakably Italian' but its name is unmistakably Spanish (Castillian for Bat), and is a continuation of Lamborghini's tradition of naming its cars after legendary figures from the world of bullfighting, 'Murciélago' being the name of a particularly brave animal, who, in 1879, refused to succumb during a long and bloody encounter and displayed such spirit and passion that his life was spared.Introduced in 2001, and in production through a couple of variants until 2010, the Murciélago is an all-wheel drive, mid-engined, supercar that sits less than four feet tall and sports dramatic 'scissor doors'. The power output of the early cars was around 570bhp, delivered through a six-speed manual gearbox with an integral differential driving the rear wheels and a viscous coupling centre differential providing power to the front. The very low-drag bodywork is constructed from carbon-fibre, steel and aluminium and the suspension is conventional independent double wishbone.

In March 2006, Lamborghini unveiled a new version of its halo car at the Geneva Motor Show: the Murciélago LP 640. The new title incorporated the car's name, along with an alphanumeric designation which indicated the engine's orientation (Longitudinale Posteriore), along with the newly updated power output. With displacement now increased to 6.5 litres, the new car made 640 PS (471 kW; 631 hp) at 8000 rpm. The Murciélago's exterior received a minor facelift. Front and rear fascias were revised, and side air intakes were now asymmetrical with the left side feeding an oil cooler. A new single outlet exhaust system incorporated into the rear diffuser, modified suspension tuning, revised programming and upgraded clutch for the 6-speed "e-Gear" automated sequential transmission with launch control rounded out the performance modifications. Interior seating was also re-shaped to provide greater headroom, and a new stereo system formed part of the updated dashboard

Offered here is a right-hand drive, UK supplied Murciélago that was delivered by Lamborghini London on the 19th August 2008 to its first owner. There are four stamps in the service book for work carried out by Lamborghini London every year between 2011-2014 along with other invoices in the history file. This LP640 has completed 15,600 miles since new in the hands of its two former keepers and has resided in our vendor"s significant private collection since early in 2012.

Finished in a distinctly menacing Nero Pegaso with an equally dramatic Charcoal, Carbon, and Black interior, this spectacular Lamborghini has clearly been well looked after, but at the same time has also obviously been used and enjoyed on the roads as it was designed to be. As a result, the side trim and front splitter have clearly done their job of protecting the rest of the car well and perhaps a buyer who wants to return the car into showroom condition may need to address these small blemishes. Overall, this is a seriously cool and hugely quick motorcar that, when you look at the prices of some of its Porsche and Ferrari counterparts of the same era, looks remarkable value.