Lamborghini Miura design concept marks original’s 40th anniversary

LAMBORGHINI MIURA
ON SALE: Late 2007 (est.)
BASE PRICE: $700,000 (est.)
POWERTRAIN: 6.5-liter, 700 hp V12; awd, seven-speed sequential manual (est.)
CURB WEIGHT: n/a
0 TO 62 MPH (0 TO 100 KM/H): 3.3 seconds (est.)
FUEL MILEAGE (COMBINED): n/a

Experts agree: The best thing ever produced by Automobili Lamborghini in both styling and image-if not on the road-was the Miura between May 1966 and December 1972.

The reveal for the new Miura concept was set for Jan. 5 for a small, invited group of hoity-toity at the Museum of Radio and Television in Los Angeles, before its public bow at Detroit's North American International Auto Show, alongside the Gallardo Spyder.

Tipped to ride on the future Audi R8 chassis-an adaptation of the Gallardo architecture-and be built in Neckarsulm, Germany, alongside the Audi, Miura is longer, wider and lower than the R8 [production name for the Le Mans quattro concept]. It is also longer and wider than the Gallardo, but taller by 1.4 inch.

"Look at the original Miura," Lamborghini's Perini said, "and add 10 percent to each dimension for this one." These numbers seem only fitting for today's larger consumers.

Lamborghini's design center hasn't gone completely retro, keeping the modern Lamborghini edge particularly in the taut and clean side panels. "When an interior is created for the car, you can expect a futuristic, high-tech and Spartan atmosphere," Perini says. "[It gets] a real GT-car feel with all essentials and no unnecessary gadgets." The green paint created specifically for this static prototype is more subtle than the company's current bright Ithaca green.

Despite reluctance on Lamborghini's part to discuss technical specifics, melding what Audi offers with a study of the Miura legend gives a hint. Prior to this car's debut, rumor had this car's name pegged at "LP400 Miura." Though all original Miuras were rear-mid-mounted V12s with the engine arranged transversely in front of the rear axle, this new Miura would carry a rear-mid-engine mounted longitudinally. (The "LP" designation stands for "longitudinale posteriore," or longitudinal rear in Lambo-speak.) In the original 763 production run of Miuras, there never was an LP layout.

Traditionally the "400" refers to the displacement: a 4.0-liter 60-degree V12 engine that Lamborghini used from 1966 through 1978; the intended reference raises speculation of a new 4.0-liter V12. A production Miura would more probably use a 6.5-liter, 700-hp version out of the company's Murciйlago 6.2-liter V12. This way it could easily carry the name LP650 Miura. That would position Miura to go mano a mano with the lingering Ferrari Enzo legacy in the never-dull crosstown rivalry. The dual-clutch, seven-speed DSG sequential trans-mission, lifted from company stablemate Bugatti Veyron 16.4, is likely to be adapted here.

If greenlighted for production in late 2007, Miura will most likely get a form of quattro all-wheel drive, so attention will focus on restraining the curb weight. Look for ceramic brake discs, a titanium exhaust system and suspension springs, magnesium wheels and carbon composite body panels for both hoods and the roof. Properly executed, top speed should crest 200 mph, and acceleration to 60 mph would take 3.3 seconds.

Pricing would surely top the stated original list price for the Ferrari Enzo of $670,000. Inside, when you can get someone to talk, the current view is for an initial run of just 400 Miuras.

What must Ferrari think now as it readies a new Dino? This Miura is Lambo's image leader and demands a response. The Ferruccio-Enzo face-off stands to get hot, and looking at this new Miura, who wouldn't be bullish?
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