28.07.2002 NEW "BABY" LAMBORGHINI L140 SPY SHOTS
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| Lamborghini have said that
the forthcoming "baby" Lamborghini, code name L140, which will compete
for sales head to head with the Ferrari 360 Modena will have "significantly"
better performance than the Ferrari. It will make its debut at next spring's
Geneva Motor Show.
The chassis comprises of an aluminium spaceframe covered in aluminium bodywork, using new manufacturing techniques brought in by Audi. The chassis will be manufactured at Audi's aluminium centre in Germany, a German outside supplier will fit the body panels, before the chassis are returned to Audi for painting. The shells will then be transported to Sant'Agata for final assembly. Technical details of the L140 are sketchy, but an all new 48 valve, V10 "in excess" of 4-litres and producing over 400 bhp has been developed by Lamborghini with the assistance of Audi's R&D facilities which include the renowned Cosworth Engineering branch. The L140 is, like the recent Murcielargo, will be offered in 4WD format only, with the option of manual 6-speed gearbox or a sequential F1-style alternative. It is expected that this will be the Magnetti Marelli "Selespeed" system, already in production use with Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz. The car will feature a new electronic chassis stability system. It is expected to weigh 1400kg. It is hoped that once on stream, probably in late 2003, that the L140 will see production of around 1,500 units a year, rising to a capacity of 2,000 units in 2005. This added to the expected 450 Murcielargo's this year, contrasts with Lamborghini's recent production of 231 cars in 1998, 265 in 1999 and 296 in 2000. |
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| related articles:
17.07.2002 AUDI
TO MANUFACTURE CHASSIS FOR NEW "BABY" LAMBORGHINI L140
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