Meet The Newest V12 Lamborghini

Lamborghini isn’t letting us see their latest V12 supercar up close and personal until next month’s Geneva Motor Show, but that didn’t stop them from leaking the above image of the new car in camo guise. The good news is that this test mule isn’t clad in black vinyl, so we get a decent feel for the lines of the car. If this is the final design, I have to say two thumbs up; Lamborghini had been going down a bizarre styling path lately (case in point: the Reventon), and this car pulls them back to center. You can see the influences from Murcielago, but I’m also seeing heritage here. The muscular front fenders remind me of the iconic Countach, but in a more evolved manner.

Lamborghini’s latest will be built using a carbon fiber monocoque, and will utilize a pushrod suspension similar to F1 cars for more precise control. The car will be powered by a 6.5 liter V12, said to be good for 691 horsepower and 509 ft lb of torque. Like newer Ferraris, buyers won’t get the option of a traditional manual gearbox; instead, the car will come only with a single clutch, automated manual gearbox. Drivers can select between Strada (Street) mode, which will shift like a conventional automatic transmission unless manually shifted; Sport mode, which will hold gears longer and quicken upshifts and Corsa (Track) mode, which includes launch control and provides the most extreme driving experience. To ensuring that the power gets to the ground, the new Lambo is AWD and includes a computer-controlled front differential, a Haldex4 center differential and a rear diff integrated into the engine casting to save weight. We promise more pics and more details after the Geneva Motor Show.

Man Amasses Ridiculously Awesome Gulf Oil-Liveried Racing Car Collection

The ROFGO Gulf Collection by Duncan Hamilton is one man's dream of assembling the largest assortment of racing cars ever to compete in the legendary colors of Gulf Oil. The collection comprises 14 of the most prominent Gulf Oil-liveried competition cars and has been created by Duncan Hamilton & Co.’s Chairman, Adrian Hamilton, for an unnamed but obviously passionate and extremely wealthy client.

All 14 cars were tracked down and acquired in just two years. The collection includes a variety of models ranging in age from the 1967 Mirage, which was the first Gulf-liveried car to run at Le Mans, to the 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo that competed in the GT2 Championship.

Commenting on the collection, Adrian Hamilton said: “My career has been punctuated by many remarkable cars – eg the one and only Mercedes-Benz 196 Grand Prix car in private hands, some nine Ferrari 250 GT0s, 20 GT40s, seven Porsche 917s and numerous Jaguar C and D-Types etc – but few projects have been as enjoyable and satisfying as this one. Like all racing enthusiasts I’ve grown up with the Gulf brand and it is a tremendous privilege to be able to build such a unique and lasting tribute to one of the greatest names in our sport. I am extremely indebted to my client for the opportunity.”

A total of 12 cars from the ROFGO Gulf Collection by Duncan Hamilton will get their first public outing for all to see at Retromobile, an annual show of classic road and racing cars, which takes place at Porte de Versailles in Paris, from February 2 to 6.

In chronological order the 14 cars are:

• 1967 Mirage

Chassis No.10002 – the first Gulf-liveried car to run at Le Mans

• 1968 Ford GT40

Chassis No.1084 – 4^th, SPA 1000 km, Hawkins/Hobbs

• 1969 Brabham BT26

Chassis No.BT26/4 - 1^st German GP, Ickx

• 1970 McLaren M14

Chassis No.M14/A2 – 2^nd South African GP, Hulme

• 1971 Porsche 917

Chassis No.026 – 2^nd, Le Mans 24 Hours, Attwood/Muller

• 1970 Porsche 908/3

Chassis No.12 – Nürburgring 1000 km, Siffert, DNF

• 1972 McLaren M20

Chassis No.M20/3 – 1^st, Watkins Glen, Hulme

• 1974 Mirage

Chassis No.704 – 4^th, Le Mans 24 Hours, Bell/Hailwood

• 1994 Kremer K8

Chassis No.K8/07/SP – 6^th, Le Mans 24 Hours, Bell/Lassig/Donovan

• 1996 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail

Chassis No.022 – 3^rd, Hockenheim 4 Hours, Bscher/Nielson

• 2006 Courage C65 LMP2

Chassis No.07 – 7^th, Le Mans 24 Hours, Gosselin/Ojeh/Ragues

• 2008 Aston Martin DBR9

Chassis No.007 – 4^th in GT1, Le Mans 24 Hours, Frentzen/Piccili/Wendlinger

• 2009 Aston Martin LMP1

Chassis No.DBR1-2/2 – 1^st, Asian Le Mans series, Okayama, Mucke/Primat

• 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo

GT2 Championship, Giroix/Goethe

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Bicolore Special Launched at Qatar Motor Show

The 2011 Qatar Motor Show that runs from January 26 to 29 appears to have captured the attention of the VW Group as a whole. Following yesterday's unveiling of the VW XL1 hybrid coupe concept, the German familia's sportiest brand, Lamborghini, lifted the wraps off a special edition version of the Gallardo called Bicolore.

The limited run model will be produced for the European and Asian-Pacific markets in the LP 560-4 guise, which means it gets a 560HP V10 and all-wheel drive, while for the American market it will be only available in the version LP 550-2 featuring a 550HP V10 and rear-wheel drive configuration.

As its name implies, the special series features a unique two-tone finish with a matching interior. On the outside, the pillars, roof, engine hood and rear spoiler are painted in a pastel black that contrasts perfectly with the lower area of the body, available in a choice of five shades (Giallo Midas, Arancio Borealis, Grigio Telesto, Bianco Monocerus and Blu Caelum).

The Gallardo's exterior appearance is further enhanced by the 15-spoke forged alloy wheels finished in titanium gray enamel, and the gloss black finish air-intakes, front spoiler and upper section of the rear diffuser.

The two-tone theme is repeated inside, but in a more understated manner. The instrument panel, seats, door panels and other elements in the passenger compartment are upholstered in black leather with contrast stitching colored to match the exterior paintwork (yellow, orange, blue or gray). The black bezel of the e-gear transmission on the center console completes the look.

Pricing is to be announced at a later date.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder: Updated Album with 55 High-Res Photos

We know that you love our supercar galleries so here's our updated album on the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder with all the official photos released by the Italian automaker (yes, owned by VW Group). Revealed for the first time in public at last year's LA Auto Show, the revamped Gallardo Spyder is powered by an updated 5.2-liter V10 that makes 560HP at 8,000 rpm, or 40HP more than its predecessor.

Furthermore, Lambo claims that topless supercar benefits form a 44 lbs or 20kg reduction in weight thus improving the power-to-weight ratio to 6.10 pounds or 2.77 kg per horsepower. The Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder accelerates from standstill to 100km/h or 62mph in just 4.0, to 124mph (0 to 200 km/h) in only 13.1 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 201mph or 324 km/h.