Redesign – The Unmuffled Auto News

Lamborghini is perhaps best known for it’s screaming V12-powered supercars that seem to defy physics. Here’s how these screaming machines have evolved.

1966 Lamborghini Miura: The first Lamborghini supercar was the Miura, which debuted in 1966 at the Geneva Motor Show. It was the first of the big Lamborghinis. Of course, the big ones are the ones that scare you just by unlocking them. That’s how you know a car is fast. The Miura made 350 horsepower, which was more than enough to move a car that weighed under 3,000 pounds.
It’s one of the most captivating designs of the 20th century, especially in red.
1969 Lamborghini Miura S: It was basically a facelifted Miura with an extra 20 horsepower. Oh, and Miles Davis crashed one when he was high on cocaine. A man very revered in the racing world, James Glickenhaus, pulled the high and bloody Davis out of his totaled Lamborghini.
Lamborghini really delivered with this one…
1971 Lamborghini Miura SV: The final iteration of the Miura brought the power up to a then-absurd 385 horsepower, and lost the frilly eyelashes that previously surrounded the headlights. Lamborghini also came up with what was then a novel idea, splitting up the lubrication for the gearbox and transmission.
This was the best iteration of the Miura. The most power, lightest weight, and all of the kinks were ironed out.
1974 Lamborghini Countach: The curvaceous Miura was replaced by the blocky Countach, a car that looks like it was designed by a high school geometry student. It was a good car, but it was not without it’s flaws. Visibility was like looking out of a concrete bunker 50 feet below the ground. Another complaint was that the car was a much better pinup than it was a car. Just about every boy in the 1970s had a poster of a Lamborghini Countach hanging on his bedroom wall. The first version of the Countach had no massive wing and 370 horsepower.
1978 Lamborghini Countach LP400S: The LP400S lost 20 horsepower, but it also got wider wheels. The 1974-1977 models had skinny little wheels and tires that had no grip to them. That famous gigantic rear wing was an option that looked super cool, but cost you 10 mph.
1982 Lamborghini Countach LP500S: Just about the only change to the 1982 version of the Countach was the introduction of a 4.7-liter V12.
1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV: This is my dream Countach. The engine was a 455-horsepower 5.2-liter V12. Interestingly enough, when Lamborghini switched from carburetors to fuel injection on the very same engine, horsepower dropped to a still-impressive 414 horsepower.
It should be obvious why this is my dream Countach…
1988 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition: It was mechanically identical to the LP5000 QV, but it had a body that Horacio Pagani (yes, that Horacio Pagani) redesigned. It was a love it or hate it design, and most people fell on the side of hate. I don’t know why. It’s still blocky, but it’s a good looking car.
1990 Lamborghini Diablo: Marcello Gandini started the design, and Chrysler’s Tom Gale finished it. It had a 5.7-liter V12 cranking out 492 horsepower. It’s top speed was a then-diabolical 202 mph, which exceeded the initial target by six mph. It didn’t come with power steering.
I’m not sure I’d want to go 202 mph in a car with no power steering, especially with no electronic nannies to save me.
1993 Lamborghini Diablo VT: The Diablo VT was the first AWD car from Lamborghini. It could send up to 25 percent of it’s power to the front wheels, which drastically helped it’s traction. It also had redesigned intakes to improve cooling, a new interior, and various cosmetic changes to differentiate it from the “base” Diablo.
1995 Lamborghini Diablo SV: The SV was supposed to be the most diabolical Diablo out there. Because of this, it had 510 horsepower and RWD. It was also the cheapest Diablo available, which really doesn’t make sense.
Yes, those wheels are stock, and super cool!
1995 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster: It’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s a Lamborghini Diablo VT with an electric folding carbon fiber top. Power went up to 530 horsepower for 1998.
1999 Lamborghini Diablo: The 1999 model was the first year that the Diablo didn’t have pop-up headlights. Instead, the SV model, which was the base model, had the same headlights as the Nissan 300ZX. I’m not joking. It also got a new interior, ABS, and power was now at 530 horsepower. The Diablo VT got the same upgrades.
1999 Lamborghini Diablo GT: Talk about absurd. The Diablo GT was basically a race car for the road. It was stripped down, the bodywork was substantially different from other Diablos, and it had a new 6.0-liter V12 making 575 horsepower. It was incredibly fast.
Looks can be deceiving. It might look somewhat similar to the 1995 SV model, but it is very different.
2000 Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0: The final iteration of the Diablo got a redesign that made it look much smoother, thanks to Audi’s purchase of the company. The more subdued design, coupled with the engine from the Diablo GT made it a much better car to drive and look at.
2002 Lamborghini Murcielago: Yes, I know that it means “bat” in Spanish, but it is still a very intriguing car. Don’t let the name get to you. It was the first V12-powered Lamborghini to be designed and engineered in-house. It had 572 horsepower, and was only available with AWD. It also made extensive use of active aero and active cooling to keep the exterior of the car relatively clean-looking. It was also the first time that an automated manual transmission was offered in a Lamborghini. A roadster followed in 2004, with an overly complicated manual roof.
2006 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640: The big Murcielago now made 632 horsepower from its 6.5-liter V12, and it had a slightly revised body. Carbon ceramic brakes were an option, just in case you really wanted to show how well your supercar could stop.
2008 Lamborghini Reventon: The Reventon was essentially a rebodied Murcielago LP640. It was inspired by fighter jets, and as such, had creases and angles galore. It had an interior like a fighter jet cockpit, which meant it was extremely cramped, but it had a unique TFT display, instead of analog gauges like the Murcielago. Lamborghini only built 21 coupes and 15 roadsters.
2009 Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV: The fastest Murcielago ever to leave the Lamborghini factory doors was the LP670-4 SV. It had 661 horsepower, a heavily revised body, a stripped interior, and came standard with a massive wing. The wing limited it’s top speed to 209 mph. The optional smaller wing brings the speed up to 212 mph, but also provides less downforce. You could get it with either the clunky automated manual or a true six speed manual. I really want to have one with the big wing and the six speed. Help me find one!
How can you not want something like this, especially when it reeks of awesome?
2012 Lamborghini Aventador: The Aventador picked up where the Reventon left off. It’s all creases and angles, and is one of the most intimidating-looking cars in the world. The 6.5-liter V12 pumps out 691 horsepower, and sends power to all four wheels through one of the worst transmissions ever. It can never replicate the same shift. You either get shoved back into your seat, or you get an imperceptible shift. For something that costs so much, it should have a good transmission. A roadster is also available.
2013 Lamborghini Veneno: Like the Reventon, the Veneno is another extreme styling exercise. Lamborghini really went all out this time in terms of design and price, as the car cost upwards of $4 million. There are four coupes (one is in the Lamborghini museum), and nine roadsters.
The styling might be quirky, but the performance is not.
2015 Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 SV: This might very well be the ultimate Aventador. It’s certainly the fastest. It proved itself by going around the legendary Nurburgring racetrack in 6:59. It’s just seconds off the Porsche 918 Spyder’s lap time of 6:57. The SV has 750 horsepower, AWD, heavily revised aerodynamics, and is 110 pounds lighter. And yes, Lamborghini has confirmed that they will make a roadster version of it.
And there you have it. The latest in a long line of high-performance cars. This is the most diabolical, yet civilized of them all.

I think that this is a bit of a tradition for me. Last year, I wrote a post about the same time as this one. It was also about the best cars for the end of the holiday season. I have fond memories of picking through cars that I thought deserved to be on this list. While my list may not be as prestigious as Car & Driver’s 10Best, I would like to think of it as my personal version. Except, I will be doing a list like this for every season! That’s right: Winter, spring, summer, and fall! After much thought, I have finally decided what cars deserve to be on my list. The criteria for the cars: The cars on the list must all be new or substantially updated, they must be able to be entertaining in a snowy climate, and they must be able to seat at least four people comfortably (that way you can go on a road trip with the kids or friends!). Enjoy my list!

Bentley Flying Spur: The Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed was on my list last year. However, the Flying Spur is no longer burdened with the Continental name. It does still share a platform with the Continental, though. It’s a brute of a car, weighing in at 5644 pounds. It’s definitely as large as an elephant – it is 17.4 feet long, and it it weighs as much as a male elephant bull. Don’t despair – this car rockets to 60 mph in an equally stunning 4.3 seconds. This car will keep pace with a sprightly Lotus Evora S all day, without much drama or effort. This car has 616 horsepower mated to a superb ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. The powerful W12 engine is more efficient – it gets 12/20 MPG city/highway, according to the EPA. However, snowy hoonage will likely lower that number… It has every option one can imagine, including private multimedia screens for the kids. Bang & Olufsen sound-deadening wireless headphones will keep the people in front sane.
Ford F-150 FX2/FX4 Sport Tremor: The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Crew Cab rumbled and burbled its way onto my list last year because of its substantial updates, most notably the 6.2 liter V8. This year, it’s more efficient, yet just-as-fun sister joins the party. The Sport Tremor comes in 2WD or 4WD, regular cab only. It comes with Ford’s powerful, efficient 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6. Power gets there through a 4.10:1 rear end, so these trucks will be fast. I know that it doesn’t seat four, but don’t despair – you can always get the Raptor! The performance figures for the Sport Tremor aren’t out yet, but a 2012 Ford F-150 XLT 4X4 Crew Cab got to 60 in a quite-respectable 6.2 seconds. Expect the Sport Tremor to get there in about 5.8-5.9 seconds. While it won’t keep up with the Bentley in a straight line, it CAN haul a whole lot more, and get better gas mileage!
SRT Viper/GTS/TA: The Viper has a ground-shaking 8.4-liter V10 that pumps out 640 horsepower. It comes with a 6-speed manual transmission and RWD only. This will play with the boys. I know that it doesn’t seat four, but hey, it’s a Viper. It’s not a Bentley! The RWD, 640 horse Viper should be a hoot to hoon around in the snow. Stability control and traction control will help.
Porsche 911 Turbo/Turbo S: The Porsche 911 Turbo is a great car to own. Not only will the 991-generation Turbo remain a collectible for a long time, but the 991 911 Turbo/Turbo S has a bunch of new technology designed to help the driver get around a track faster. It has AWD, 560 horsepower in the Turbo S, and seats for four. While the rear seats may only be fit for presents, the kids will have to suck it up and squeeze in there for a bit. But, the drive there will be worth it. The 911 Turbo/Turbo S is turbocharged, which makes it a cinch to drive fast, especially in wet or low-traction environments. This car was designed to make the worst of drivers look good, and the best of drivers look legendary. Have fun with this car.
Porsche 918 Spyder: If you own this car, I want to go for a spin in it! Porsche has had the 918 Spyder in testing for years – prototypes were running around Germany as far back as 2007. The 918 Spyder has a hybrid-electric system that distributes the gobs of 874 horsepower and an astounding 944 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. The 918 Spyder Weissach Package loses 88 pounds by using ceramic wheel bearings and film wrap instead of conventional aluminum and paint. It won’t seat any more than two, but that’s okay. This car will blow your mind at the speeds it reaches without effort, as well as the confidence it gives the driver at any speed.
Subaru WRX: Subie is legendary in the rally world for building fast, reliable cars that don’t look like much. The 2015 WRX lives up to these statements. It loses the massive rear wing found on the previous generation of WRXs, but it has power and fun. It is bigger, but it makes 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It’s suspension has been firmed up 39% in the front, and 62% in the rear. This car will play all day with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, and be as flat as a Porsche Cayman S while cornering. The torque vectoring system uses the rear differential instead of the brakes to vector the torque. It doesn’t look pretty, but then again, no Subie in recent memory has looked mesmerizing. Subaru invests money in engineering, not in styling. That’s fine with me.
Jeep Cherokee: For those of you who remember the Jeep Cherokees of yore, close this tab, shut off your computer, grab your wallet, and go get a Jeep Wrangler. This Cherokee is NOTHING like the harsh-riding Cherokees of the 1980s and 1990s. This Cherokee comes standard with FWD, but 4WD is optional. The Cherokee Trailhawk will keep pace with a stock Wrangler or SVT Raptor all day long without breaking a sweat. The Cherokee is packed with lots of useful, cool tech. I won’t bore you all of that technology, but I will say that for those in need of something affordable with 4WD, the Cherokee deserves a second look.
Chevrolet SS: The Chevy SS is the thunder from down under. It’s based off of the Holden Commodore, and it’s got a high-performance 6.2-liter V8 with 415 horsepower. The SS is the first RWD Chevy sedan since 1996 for civilian use – the Caprice PPV is available for lucky cops, and it’s truly spectacular. It is capable of making those who owned a muscle car as a teenager feel young again, while allowing Mom and the kids to experience the fun. It’s not all about burnouts – the SS can hold its own in the twisties. The 415-horse V8 and six-speed automatic mated to RWD will make it entertaining for anybody to drive, any season, at any time. I want one, if you haven’t noticed!
2014 Chevrolet Silverado: Chevy is good at this game! Two cars on my list is kinda hard. Yet, Chevy introduced two cars capable of being on this list, which both of them are. The 2014 Silverado truly gives the buyer everything that is needed or wanted, and then some. There are literally 50 different cab/bed combinations, let alone the plethora of engine/transmission/2WD/4WD combinations. The 2014 Silverado was designed to be one of the best in the game, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s got clever tech for all of the engines to make the engines more competitive in an ever-evolving segment. The Silverado doesn’t come with the option of an extended cab anymore – safety regulations and loss of demand killed it for Chevy, but it comes with a “Quad Cab” option that offers more space than an extended cab, as well as the look of a crew cab. It starts off as a perfectly nice base model, before climbing the ladder of expensive and unneeded options to become a pure luxury truck.
Ram 1500: The Ram 1500 has long been one of my favorite 1/2 ton trucks. Ever since it’s massive – and popular redesign in 1993, the Ram 1500 has always had a brutish Hemi V8 underhood. Recently, Ram introduced an EcoDiesel V6 shared with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It’s the first diesel in a 1/2 ton pickup since the 1980s. I know the deal about diesels. My dad owns a 2003 GMC 2500 4X4 with the Duramax diesel. But, the Ram 1500 offers the same noise levels as the Ram equipped with the Hemi V8. If you don’t want a diesel, you can always opt for the refreshed Hemi V8, which has more cool tech to aid in towing and hauling.

Have a fun, happiness-filled end of the holiday season! In these final days of 2013, I urge you to take a walk in the park with friends, your kids, and/or the family dog (if you have one), and do whatever fills your heart with enjoyment. Have a wonderful Winter Break!

Enjoy the pictures of the cars (and trucks!) on my list: