As Lamborghini’s Murcielago supercar nears the end of its lifecycle, designers intend to release a lightened version with even more power than the 641hp (478kW) Reventon. Expected to pick up the fabled ‘SV’ title, used previously for the Diablo, the new model will weigh up to 220lb (100kg) less than the stock version. The latest insider reports on the car's development hint that it may be ready in time for a debut at next year's Geneva Motor Show in March.
No new details on the SV have come with the new time frame, though there is renewed discussion that the car could be named SL - superleggera - instead of SV, which stands for 'super veloce'. The superleggera name tag has been applied to the Gallardo recently, though the SV badge has also been applied to both the Diablo and the Miura in the past.
Previous details on the car came from an inside source at Sant’Agata that spoke with AutoWeek. The source also revealed the new car would likely be RWD, dropping the front differential and driveshafts to save weight, and feature plenty of carbon-fiber.
Like the Superleggera, engineers will focus on three main areas: interior, exterior and mechanicals. The interior will be stripped out and replaced with carbon, including the door innards, seats and center console.
The automatic spoilers will be replaced with a fixed carbon GT wing, and the stock wheels will be swapped with lightweight forged units.
E-gear will be standard, although it will be upgraded for faster shift times, and many of the stock aluminum components will be replaced with lighter magnesium pieces. Shift times are expected to drop from the current 0.4 seconds to around 0.2 seconds.
The new model, whether it's badged SV or SL, however, will only be the final effort at freshening the aging Murcielago before its replacement arrives in 2011. Codenamed 'Jota', the new car has been spotted testing under current-gen bodywork, though it's suspected that the powertrain and underpinnings are already well into development.
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