Lamborghini two main models, the Murciélago Coupé and the Gallardo, now benefit – in Model Year 2005 specification – from a number of significant changes.

Launched at the end of 2001 as the Diablo’s successor, the Murciélago Coupé has achieved great success and has added further prestige to the Lamborghini brand.

It has a 6.2-litre, 12-cylinder, 580bhp engine, which allows it to reach a maximum speed of over 330 km/h (205 mph) and to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.8 seconds.

With its 6-speed manual gear box, permanent four-wheel drive and an aggressive, but distinctly clean and elegant design, the Murciélago Coupé has beaten the most prestigious competitors in its segment, while also being accredited with many international awards. One of these, the Red Dot Design Award, was awarded to the Murciélago for being the “Best of the best for the highest design quality”.

In addition, the Murciélago – in the R-GT version – was available in 2004 to racing customers taking part in various Championships: FIA-GT, ACO, ALMS (American Le Mans Series) across the world.

The 2005 Murciélago Coupé has some important differences compared to last year's model. Most importantly, it has a new braking system with offers an even higher performance. In particular, the diameter of the front and rear brake discs has been increased. The front disc diameter has gone from 355 x 32mm, and the rear disc diameter from 332 x 32mm, to 355 x 32mm. The front callipers are also new and have 8 pistons; the rear callipers are unchanged but the diameter of the four pistons have been increased.

The power brake and the brake pump are newly designed and more efficient, resulting in a 30% reduction in the pressure needed to be exterted on the pedal. Braking performance is exceptional with, for example, a braking distance of 129.5 meters (deceleration 1.2 g) from 200 to 0 km/h.

The suspension system has been optimized thanks to the FSD technology (Frequency Selective Damping) which is specifically designed for sports cars. It enhances the road-handling performances while permitting driving comfort. In fact, the damping force is automatically adjusted depending on the excitation frequency input.
 

The wiper system is also new. The “lifting system” is also new; it raises the nose of the car slightly where necessary. And the alloy wheels, the same as on the Roadster, are of a new design.

There are also some new options for the 2005 Murciélago Coupé.  Clients can specify coloured brake callipers (yellow or silver), and the Lamborghini badge on a coloured alloy wheel.

Launched in September 2003, the Gallardo has already been lauded by the international press and Lamborghini customers. The Gallardo is a unique high-performance sportscar concept with a 5.0 litre, 10 cylinder, 500 HP engine, bodywork and spaceframe in aluminium, and permanent 4-wheel drive. Performance is impressive with a top speed of 309 km/h (192 mph) and 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 4.2 seconds.

Unsurprisingly, the Lamborghini Gallardo has already received a number of international awards: the Red Dot Design Award and, in Canada, a "Golden Key Award” (Clé d'or) from the editors of the reference book "L'Annuel de l'automobile 2005" and many others worldwide.

A significant feature of the Gallardo is the fine craftsmanship which can be seen in every detail. The interior is of the highest quality, using special materials with characteristic Lamborghini stitching.

The Gallardo comes with many new options, of course, including the e-gear sequential shift, for the 2005 Model “sports package”, satellite navigation system, transparent engine bonnet and track set-up (for an eventual sportive use), plus titanium painted rims, lifting system (standard in the USA) and Lamborghini badge on the wheels.

Add to that the sports and snow tyres, which were specifically developed by Pirelli for the Gallardo.