02.12.2004 The Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster has made its Thai premier this week, the latest model from the Raging Bull lining up next to the Gallardo at the 21st Thailand International Motor Expo 2004

The Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster has made its Thai premier this week, the newest model from the Raging Bull marque lining up next to the mid-size Gallardo at the 21st Thailand International Motor Expo 2004.

The twenty first edition of the Bangkok Motor Expo, which has in recent years grown in stature to become one of the biggest motor shows in the Asia region, has seen a strong showing from the prestigious Italian marques: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini.

Lamborghini are taking this show seriously as the embark on a major sales drive throughout Asia, confident that their three present models can find willing and receptive audiences.

Their stand at the Motor Expo, which is once again taking place in the spacious halls of the IMPACT Convention and Exhibition Center, is laid out in their usual minimalist style against a dark backdrop, allowing visitors to focus almost exclusively on the cars.

A metallic-paint finished Murcielago Roadster takes centre stage. This 'chop-top' version of the Murcielago Coupe, which sits 136mm lower, is making a second quick-fire appearance in the region after it made its Asian debut at last month's 7th Singapore Motor Show.

An uncompromising car, in true Lamborghini tradition, it was inspired by the mythical open racing cars of the Fifties that used to race the Targa Florio or in the Carrera Panamericana.

It also claims to be an extreme and exclusive car in its unique use of upholstery: the streamlined headrests integrate the mobile air intakes and the asymmetrical leather cladding, the right hand side being in a different colour and material compared to the left hand side, thus enhancing the driver oriented cockpit.

Another feature, of the car which made its first ever public appearance in concept for at the 2003 Detroit Motor Show, worth noting is that different structural parts of the chassis have been re-designed to ensure an adequate torsional stiffness even though roofless.

This very sleek-looking sportscar is joined by the Gallardo, which is also chasing sales in the Asian region.

Lamborghini's first foray into the mid-size high-performance sportscar market has been well received, and the 5.0-litre V10 model, which itself is shortly to spawn a 'Roadster' version, has recently picked up a string of styling awards.

The first car to be wholly designed under Audi's ownership of the Bologna-based sportscar marque, the Gallardo is the first fruit of a significant technological investment programme that is seeking to put them onto a similar footing as the ultimate sporting brand, Ferrari.