Lamborghini - then and now

Ferruccio Lamborghini was born in Renatsio di Cento near Ferrara April 28, 1916 in Italy. From childhood he was interested in the technique. After World War II Ferruccio involved refurbishment of military equipment to the tractor, and it was then that the company Lamborghini Trattori S.p.A. was founded And already in 1949, Lamborghini released the tractor of his own design. But this does not mean that Ferruccio Lamborghini preferred tractors than cars.

On the contrary, like all Italians with a warm heart, the first that he created after the war, he became the racing car. Ferruccio took the Fiat 500 engine and increased its volume to 750 cc This little sports car was able to draw much attention to itself. Ferruccio himself sat behind the wheel of his 1947 race to the "Mille Miglia". He drove about 2/3 of the way, and then stopped at a diner. "I had enough races on that day", said Lamborghini.

While it has become the leading company in the Italian agricultural sector, Ferruccio engaged in the development of unique engines for Lamborghini Trattori, wearing an emblem depicting a charging bull. This emblem symbolized the zodiacal sign of Ferruccio - Taurus.

In the early 1960s, tractor manufacturer Lamborghini already had a production cars Osca, Maserati and Ferrari, but no car did not suit him in all respects. He noticed that the clutch in the Ferrari has a low reliability and addressed criticism to the Enzo Ferrari, but was badly shocked by the statement that the tractor manufacturer has no right to criticize Ferrari. Offended, Ferruccio set about trying to "create a better Ferraris than the Ferrari."

Lamborghini dismantled and improved transmission in his Ferrari 250 GT. Ferruccio decided that his car will have engine V12.

In 1963, he founded a new company - «Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini S.p.A», near Bologna, 15 km from the Ferrari factory.

350 GT

In October of the same year at the Turin Motor Show Lamborghini company, known in Italy as a producer of tractors, introduced its first sports car Lamborghini 350 GT. It was a coupe classic layout with a 3.5-liter V12 power of 347 hp Its top speed was 280 km / h and acceleration to 100 km / h takes 6.7 seconds. Designers of the company introduced a number of new ideas. But the appearance of cars like not all, and the finish is poor. In the first year it sold only 13 such machines. In the future, Lamborghini was the first Avtosrtoiteley, which started to manufacture cars with mid-engine.

Miura

Miura model, shown in 1965, was equipped with 12-cylinder engine, located behind the driver across the machine on a special frame. This unusual decision inspired designers to give the car an unusual shape. Within six years from the date of submission of the first model, 800 machines have been sold and they have surpassed the popularity of Ferrari.

400GT

In 1966, Lamborghini produces advanced GT car class - 400GT. The car equipped with a V12 engine capacity of 3900 cubic meters. cm. 400 GT production ended in 1969, all descended from the conveyor 247 copies.

Islero

In 1968 he was released Lamborghini Islero. That was the name of fighting bull that killed famed matador in August 1947. Islero has kept the internal structure, and the wheelbase 400 GT chassis, but had to resort to an increase in the track as the front and rear wheels, as used wheels larger. 17 copies Islero equipped with wire-spoke wheels by Borrani.

Espada

When the popularity began to use "family cars", Lamborghini decided to produce a model Espada, which means - a blade matador. The risk is fully justified itself - the machine has become one of the most popular in the history of the company, its release lasted until 1978. More than a thousand cars in this class have been made for 10 years.

Jarama

Designed to replace the Islero, Jarama was first released in 1970. This model is based on a modified platform Espada, shortened to 27 cm. Espada the Jarama inherited from its non-standard aspect ratio and an excellent four-chamber V12 engine capacity of 3900 cc, capable of producing 350 hp. from. with a torque of 7,500 rev / min. The first version - Jarama 400GT. From 1970 to 1973 it produced 177 copies, and then began the production of improved models Jarama GTS.

Urraco P250

In 1970, the company released "Urraco P250", with 8-cylinder engine capacity of 2.5 liters. Lamborghini Urraco was produced in the period from 1972 to 1976 The task - to create a small car with mid-engine. «Urraco» - translated from Italian means "bull". Lamborghini Urraco, intended for mass production, Lamborghini promised economic prosperity. But in the end, this car has led the company to financial ruin.

Countach

The next sensation was the model of the Countach. First shown at the Geneva Salon in 1971 as a "concept car" bodywork company "Bertone", it was put into production only in 1974 as a successor to "Miura", and the money it is not spared: 4-liter twelve-cylinder engine with 365 hp The central location allows to reach speeds up to 300 km / h.

His car company Ferruccio owned just over 9 years. In 1972 tractor production has suffered losses and financial difficulties drove Ferruccio to sell the company to Georges-Henri Rossetti and Rene Leimer.

Silhouette

In March 1976, the prime minister held a news Silhouette - 3-liter V8 rated at 250hp car accelerates to 260 km / h and allows you to dial 100 km / h in 7 seconds. This car took as a basis the components of the supercar Urraco.

Capacity of the same 8-cylinder engine with an average position increased to 2995 cubic meters. cm. As a result, 250 hp allowed to develop a speed from 0 to 100 km / h in 5.9 seconds, maximum speed reached 250 km / h.

Debuting at the Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini Silhouette instantly succeeded. But the financial crisis has ruined all prospects. Only 52 copies Silhouette descended from the conveyor.

Cheetah

In the search for additional sources of funds for the development of the Italians took the SUV for the US Army. The first prototype of this car called the Cheetah presented for testing the Pentagon in 1977. The test machine gave good results, but it has not been accepted by the customer.

Sountach 5000 QV

In 1978, he was born one of the masterpieces of Lamborghini - Sountach. Perfect from all Countach 5000 QV for the first time in the history of Lamborghini received chetyrehklapannyh motor. His power reached 455 hp, however, due to better aerodynamics did not initially 290 km / h limit for steel Countach.

Jalpa

In the 80 years the light appeared Lamborghini Jalpa, named after a Mexican breed of fighting bulls. Outwardly, it resembled a well-kept Silhouette, but had a more powerful 3.5-liter V8, which built 255 hp In late 1987, Chrysler management, the ownership of which was transferred to the time the Lamborghini, decided to stop production of the machine.

LMA

Despite the setback with the Cheetah, the Italians have not abandoned the idea of ​​an SUV. In 1982 LMA prototype (Lamborghini Military Anteriore) was introduced. Despite its impressive size, at a dynamic performance LM002 surpassed many of his contemporaries.

Diablo

Another masterpiece, Lamborghini Diablo, presented to the public in 1989. The company offered Diablo in several models, including a roadster. In 1995 it was released Diablo SV c hardtop, and in 1997 - the light went out modifications Diablo VT.

Anniversary Countach

The last upgrade is the Countach model 25th Anniversary Countach, released in 1989 for the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the company. The changes affected only the body parts made Lamborghini designers. In just 16 years, it was released in 1979 copies of the cars, making this model the most sold in the entire history of Lamborghini.

February 20, 1993 died the founder of the company Ferruccio Lamborghini.

A July 24, 1998 an agreement was signed on the transfer of a controlling stake in Lamborghini its current owner - the company's Audi, in turn a division of Volkswagen AG Group.

Murcielago

In 2001 the company introduced the successor to Diablo - Murcielago. For the first time in the history of Lamborghini design of the car has been developed not Italian. Its rounded shape Murchielago received under the skillful hand Belgian Luc Donkervolka, maker Audi Avant appearance. New Lamborghini became more comfortable and more spacious inside. The engine - a 6.2-liter V12 power of 580 hp Maximum speed - 330 km / h.

For Murcielago followed by "small» Lamborghini - Gallardo. The new model, codenamed L140, celebrated its world premiere in 2003.

Aventador

Lamborghini Aventador Murciélago replaced in 2011. He received a 6.5-liter 12-cylinder engine developing 700 hp Top speed is 350 km / h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h - 2.9 seconds.

Huracán

In 2014 it represented the replacement Gallardo - Lamborghini Huracán with a 5.2-liter 10-cylinder engine producing 610 hp Its maximum speed - 325 km / h.

Veneno

Veneno with a 750-horsepower 6.5-liter V12 is one of the most expensive models of the Lamborghini, which costs $ 4.5 million. Veneno Roadster is no different for the filling of a compartment and, being almost 1,500 kg, makes the first hundred for 2,9s at 355 km / h top speed. In the world there are only 9 of its copies.

Centenario

In the spring of 2016 the Italians released Centenario - supercar, created in honor of the centennial anniversary of the founding father of the company Ferruccio Lamborghini.

New Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4 is equipped with a 6.5-liter V12 engine capacity of 770 hp, all-wheel drive supercar that accelerates from zero to hundred kilometers per hour in 2.8 seconds. And braking distances of 30 meters from the hundreds to 0.

Asterion

Since September 2013, it was announced that the Lamborghini goes on hybrids, and its first representative will be the model Asterion. Its release will take place no earlier than 2017. Now Lamborghini is actively developing projects environmentally friendly cars. Despite the cost of cars, they are very popular due to the high quality of every detail and luxurious design.