Automobili Lamborghini launched the passionately developed evolution of the Lamborghini Murciélago Coupé, the Murciélago LP640, at the 76th International Car Show in Geneva in March 2006, followed by the LP640 Roadster at the end of the year. The Murciélago LP 640 features considerable innovations in body design and powertrain. The revised 6.5 litre V12 engine is at the heart of the new car but developments extend to innovations in exterior design, bodywork, suspension, gearbox, exhaust system, brakes, electronics and a revised interior.

Advanced Composite Group has been closely involved in the development of the new Murciélago LP640 as its carbon fibre composite BPS240 Body Panel material was approved by VW Group earlier in 2005 and has been instrumental in the manufacturing of the complex new exterior of both the Coupé and Roadster versions. BPS240 is a ZPREG rapid deposition system with a stable, high temperature and integrated surface film compatible with producing "Class A" surfaces and maintaining them in service.

Advanced Composites Group (ACG) specialises in the manufacture of high performance pre-impregnated (prepreg) advanced fibre reinforced composites. Their carbon fibre and glass fibre reinforcements, which are pre-impregnated using specially formulated epoxy, cyanate ester or bismaleimide resin matrixes are used in woven and stitched fabrics or as unidirectional tape formats across a diverse range of industries, the latter ensuring that tape placement or tape winding operations are well catered for. ACG also offers elastomers for intensifiers and reusable vacuum bags plus many other ancillaries. ACG materials cater for all applications, with prepregs that cure at temperatures as low as 28°C (77°F) for low cost structures and high performance prepregs capable of withstanding service at temperatures as high as 800°C (1312°F). Their process technologies include standard autoclave, vacuum-bag, out-of-autoclave and press moulding.

Lamborghini has now taken full advantage of ACG's BPS240's enhanced moulding capabilities, excellent stable surface quality, processing benefits and a significant cost saving over traditional prepreg technologies.
 

BPS240 panels can be moulded from high quality, low cost composite tooling, reducing manufacturing times by as much as 80% compared with traditional advanced composite materials. Further cycle time and cost reductions are available if the material is processed using compression moulding techniques.

The engineers and designers at the Lamborghini Style Centre have remained true to the traditional Lamborghini principles and Murciélago LP640 appears even more aggressive, with the new BPS240 front and rear bumper systems, rockers and air intakes contributing significantly to its appearance.

The Murciélago LP640 is the fastest car Lamborghini has ever made. The 6.5-litre V12 640 hp engine propels it to 62mph in 3.4 seconds and now has a top speed in excess of 200mph. Naturally the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 complies with every European and North American law governing exhaust emissions.

ACG offer a full turn-key application development package from concept design including predictive structural and crash analysis, through prototype manufacture, process optimisation and production support at the production moulder. ACG is working with the OEMs and their suppliers to develop composite automotive applications including full vehicle structures, closures, fully paintable exterior body panels and exterior trim, seat structures and interior trim that save weight, reduce the total programme cost, help to meet emission and safety requirements and enable unprecedented functionality.