Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winckelmann introduced the sports car maker's range in Paris last Thursday during a well-attended press conference, and he had a surprise in-store, whisking the covers off the Murciélago LP640 Versace, a special version of the V12-engined supercar realised in conjunction with the famous Italian fashion house.

The fearsome Murciélago LP640 supercar was first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with a bigger and more powerful V12 engine and all-round updating of the supercar in every department: the transmission, brakes, suspension, active and passive safety, electronics, styling and the chassis. Initial demand for the LP640 model had reportedly been very strong, confirmed during the press conference, and now in Paris a special limited edition version, with an interior reworked by Versace has been presented.

An upbeat Stephan Winckelmann took to the rostrum to tell the assembled media that the prospects for the Sant' Agata, Bologna-based sports car brand was rosy indeed with its sales continuing to climb upwards, particularly on the back of very strong demand for the new Gallardo Spyder, the newest version of the V10-engined Gallardo, which was revealed almost exactly a year ago. He emphasised during his speech that first half of 2006 sales, at 952 units, are up by a huge 45 percent on last year's 655 unit total. "The increase is due to the following factors," said Winckelmann, "the strengthening of our dealer network and the market introduction of the Gallardo Spyder, that has proved a huge success in terms of sales and the order books are full for the next 12 months.
 

"The same level of success has been achieved by the new Murciélago LP640, presented at Geneva earlier this year; the waiting time for this new model now stands at one year as well. We are confident that we will reach another sales record at the end of this year," he added.

Then it was time for Winkelmann to spring what he termed a "surprise", revealing the limited edition Murcielago LP640 Versace which had been lurking beneath a dark cover centre stage. The famous Italian fashion concern have re-worked the LP640's interior with their patterns. The new trim inserts extends to the seat inlays, including the separate headrests which have the Lamborghini badge embossed into the new pattern; on lower sections of the dashboard; the roof lining; on the engine firewall in the recessed areas behind each seat; covering the top of the centre console storage area access flap; and in the door panel inlays. These interior changes are complimented on the exterior by the pattern being splashed along the lower sections of each door. The white car on show is finished with polished black alloy wheels and certain gloss black-coded bodywork features such as the door mirrors and the aerodynamic outer cover for the chunky air intakes which are located in front of the rear wheels. With the covers off the LP640 Versace, Winkelmann introduced Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini's new Head of Research & Development.