Latest news with #supercar
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
The Italian connoisseurs keeping Lamborghinis purebred
Chassis number 12085 may be the best-known example of the world's most famous supercar, but what if something about that pristine Gallardo, Espada or 400 GT you're about to buy doesn't quite add up? Whether it's Donald Trump 's Diablo VT Roadster, the Miura from the opening scene of The Italian Job or that final Countach, the hand-written build sheet for every Lamborghini is neatly filed by model and VIN number in an air-conditioned room at Polo Storico in Sant'Agata, 40km north-west of Bologna, where the factory stands. The heavyweight glass door is usually firmly locked, but today it's open to guests celebrating the department's 10th anniversary. File boxes cover both walls from floor to ceiling, spanning the very first 350 GT launched in 1964 through the entire Lamborghini repertoire. That includes lesser-loved models such as the Jamara, Jalpa and Urraco, right up to the Murcielago launched in 2001. Authenticity The guardian angel of the Lamborghini marque, Polo Storico is divided into three divisions: a restoration section, the heritage and spare parts centre, and the specialist unit I'm visiting today that can painstakingly certify the authenticity of every Lamborghini ever built. Lamborghini's aftersales director, Alessandro Farmeschi, is in charge of Polo Storico, whose name translates as 'historical hub.' It is overseen by a Comitato dei Saggi, or Committee of Wise Men. If that sounds a bit mafioso, it isn't. The committee was created in memory of the late Paolo Stanzani, an engineer who worked with Marcello Gandini and Giampaolo Dallara to create the iconic Lamborghini Miura of 1966, often regarded as the world's first supercar and one of its most beautiful. 'Every month we meet, look at the cars we hope to certify, examine the documentation and even the legal aspects of our decision,' says Farmeschi. 'It is a detailed process because the job is very important. Guaranteeing authenticity matters both to us and to the owner.' Forensic scrutiny The certification of authenticity department is run by a highly knowledgeable team of eight, with access to that hallowed file room as well as a dedicated workshop next door. I say workshop, but it's more of a forensic laboratory where cars are examined to confirm whether they match the original paperwork. I've spent the morning peering into the deepest recesses of the final Countach, checking that the vehicle identification number (VIN), engine and paint numbers all correspond. For such a celebrated car, this might feel like an undignified process. Yet for those hoping to sell a classic Lamborghini, a Polo Storico certificate is a guarantee of authenticity that can only add value. Everything from the light grey leather to the make of radio is inspected. Polo Storico even employs former staff to offer their expert insight, including Walter Rinaldi, who knows the Countach's chassis number would have been hand stamped in 1990, so the digits may not line up perfectly. 'There was one very strong man who wielded the hammer and embossing tool, so sometimes it wasn't completely straight,' he recalls. Rinaldi began at the Sant'Agata factory on 1 October 1966 and only retired in 2010. 'I was more interested in motorbikes when I started, but the beauty of the brand got into my soul.' Increasing demand Some 30,000 documents have now been digitised for future reference, and with more Lamborghinis being built than ever before, demand for Polo Storico's services is only set to grow. Over the past decade, 200 cars have been certified, with owners paying between £7,000 and £10,000 for the service, depending on the model. Many are likely hoping to boost the value of their car, but the historic team is also helping to preserve the bloodline of Lamborghini's colourful history. According to Farmeschi, around 20 other Lamborghinis have not been approved because of 'certain issues.' It's a blow for those owners, but the department only charges for cars that are successfully certified. 'That is a difficult conversation for us to have with the owner because they have bought a Lamborghini and they love it. When I have to phone them and explain there is a problem and we cannot provide certification, it can be hard to accept.' Obviously inauthentic Among the most obvious rejects was a naturally aspirated V12 Countach that had been fitted with a turbocharger. 'We received a request to look at this nice car, but as soon as you add a modification like that, it's not a Lamborghini any more. 'Sometimes the chassis, gearbox and body are original, but of course the engine has to be too. Sure, we could restore the car back to its original, authentic state, but perhaps in this case it is not the correct thing to do.' Farmeschi explains that over the decades, many Lamborghinis have received factory-fitted replacement engines or been resprayed. However, they remain authentic because the work was carried out by Lamborghini using genuine parts. Detective work Unlike a turbocharger, other modifications are less obvious and require more detective work. 'Recently we had a car with an engine that matched the vehicle,' says Farmeschi. 'However, because of records from years ago, we knew that engine had later been fitted in another car, so the V12 we were looking at had been stamped with a false number. It was a puzzle we were able to solve.' Perhaps the most famous Lamborghini was an orange Miura P400 driven up the Great St Bernard Pass at the start of The Italian Job. Two identical cars were used for the film's opening sequence; the example unceremoniously shoved off a cliff by a bulldozer was actually a pre-damaged car. 'The surviving pristine car disappeared soon after filming but later resurfaced and was eventually presented to us. Thanks to our documentation, we knew there were some secret numbers on the chassis that confirmed it was the car driven by actor Rossano Brazzi.' Lamborghini may have expanded into the world of ubiquitous SUVs in recent years with the Urus, but the Raging Bull's back catalogue of wild scissor doors and outrageous engines remains in safe hands. For Sale – 1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary. Last off the production line, £56,500 new. Optional extras include CD player, sports seats and special order Argento Metalizzato paintwork. One careful owner.
Globe and Mail
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Lamborghini's wild new Temerario charts a new course for hybrid supercars
Stephan Winkelmann, the suave and impeccably dressed chairman of Automobili Lamborghini, doesn't suffer the slings and arrows hurled at his car company by the online commentariat. He doesn't have to, for the simple reason that Lamborghini is successful. Under Winkelmann's leadership, the Italian firm enjoyed another record-breaking year in 2024, selling more than 10,000 vehicles. Lamborghini also raked in a record-breaking 834-million euros in operating profit from 3.09-billion in revenues. While Winkelmann's bosses at Volkswagen Group must be happy, for now, it's his next move that will put his leadership to the test: launching Lamborghini into uncharted waters with the brand's first generation of hybrids. The company, which has a tradition of naming car models after famous fighting bulls, is calling it 'Temerario,' which Winkelmann has said means 'fierce' and 'courageous.' If the online chatter is any indication, car enthusiasts are fired up about it. After all, this is the House of the Raging Bull, Home of the Countach, Inventor of the Supercar – and you're telling me they're using ... batteries? The top comments on YouTube about the Temerario, successor to the best-selling Huracan as the brand's 'junior' supercar, lament that Lambo ditched its predecessor's pure V10 engine in favour of a four-litre V8 with two turbos, three electric motors and a battery pack. The Temerario's price, starting at $432,490 in Canada, is roughly a 30-per-cent increase over the Huracan Evo. Add in all the carbon-fibre extras and the cost climbs well over half-a-million. And yet, early sales show the car is already a success. 'For me, this is paramount: the fact that we have already one year of sales in our pockets is a sign of trust,' Winkelmann said. He's not bothered by online critics and expects resistance to any change. Winkelmann boasts the Temerario's new hybrid powerplant is unlike anything else on the market. The all-new V8 and its two huge IHI turbos, each nearly the size of a soccer ball, produces 789 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque. Three axial-flux electric motors – one for each front wheel and one sandwiched between the engine and gearbox – combine for a total of 907 horsepower. Temerario easily outmuscles the old Huracan, not to mention key rivals such as the (admittedly less expensive) Ferrari 296 and McLaren Artura, both of which have V6 hybrids, or even the V8 McLaren 750S. Peak power isn't even the Temerario's most impressive number; it's the engine's sky-high 10,000 revolutions-per-minute (rpm) redline. Its high-revving nature and linear power delivery are highly unusual for a turbocharged engine. On paper at least, it appears to behave more like a naturally aspired motor, more like the old V10. At high rpm, turbos can become a drag on an engine, limiting airflow instead of boosting it. The solution is bigger turbos, big enough to feed eight cylinders with pistons sucking in air 83 times per second at 10,000 rpm. But , bigger turbos mean more lag, more time before their boost kicks in. That's where the Temerario's electric motors play a crucial role of filling the turbo lag. The new V8 is twice as expensive to produce as the V10, even before you add the cost of all the electric motors and batteries, said Rouven Mohr, Lamborghini's chief technical officer. Mohr, an avid amateur drifter and incurable car enthusiast with a 20-plus car collection to prove it, said the added cost is from the materials and complexity required for such a high-revving engine; titanium conrods, an exotic aluminum alloy engine block and finger-followers on the valvetrain. (Think race car stuff.) Lamborghini's new engine didn't need to rev to 10,000 rpm, Mohr said. It could've got similar power from a cheaper, traditional low-revving turbo engine, where drivers ride a wave of low-end torque and shift up early – 'like a diesel,' Mohr said, but added that the engineers wanted a high-revving engine, 'not because of the figures, but because of the character and the emotions.' Was his team's effort and Lamborghini's expense worth it? Is the commentariat wrong? Is this a new path forward for hybrid sports cars? These were some of the questions going through my head while flying down the main straight at Estoril, an ex-Formula 1 racetrack in southern Portugal. At around 200 kilometres an hour, there was time to take one hand and pry the helmet away from my ear to listen to the V8 soundtrack. It's not as loud or spine-tingling as the old V10, but it has a distinct buzzsaw howl from 7,000 rpm that crescendos at the redline. Vibrations from the flat-plane crank V8 rise through the seat and steering wheel. (That's on purpose; it required careful tuning of the car's all-new aluminum body structure.) Somewhere north of 300 kilometres an hour, it's time to brake for the first corner. Brake by wire systems don't always feel natural – but this one does. The Temerario also feels unusually stable under hard braking for a mid-engine supercar. There's no typical wobble or sway from the rear tires; it's utterly planted. Something strange is going on here. The car lurches out of the first corner with a split-second jolt of electric power before the turbo boost comes on strong. Instead of dropping off like a normal turbocharged engine, the power keeps building all the way above 9,000 rpm. It's only now that the manic, stomach-dropping reality of 907 horsepower in a 1,690-kilogram (dry weight) car becomes real. The 0-100 km/h figure of 2.7 seconds doesn't do it justice. Strangest of all, however, is the supernatural way the car turns into corners, especially in Sport mode, which tries to ape the oversteery feel of a rear-drive car. (Corsa is more stable and less fun if you ask me.) The Temerario pivots into corners in a way that seems to defy physics; it's almost as if it's over-rotating, about to spin out, but doesn't. The light steering feel only exacerbates the sensation of extreme agility. It darts into corners, grips and rockets out, sometimes with a cheeky powerslide for good measure. And then there's drift mode, which Mohr is unsurprisingly enthusiastic about. It's a fun new feature that will surely result in an uptick in smashed Lamborghinis. The company only trusted us to have six runs through a single corner at low-ish speed, but drift mode does what it says on the box. By the sixth run even I, a mere writer, was drifting this all-wheel-drive, 907-horsepower supercar with some fluidity, if not outright grace. I would've kept at it all afternoon, but Lambo only gave us those six turns plus nine proper laps of Estoril to figure out this massively complex machine. Mohr told me the strangeness I'm feeling – the unusually stable braking, the incredibly eager turn-in, the instant thrust out of corners – comes down to the benefits of electric motors and some clever in-house programming that unifies control of the car's many subsystems. The e-motors work each front wheel individually, speeding or slowing each as needed in real time. They stabilize the car under hard braking. The rear e-motor helps provide an instant kick and fills the turbo lag. The front motors help pull the car into corners, through clever use of torque vectoring by brake and/or by dragging an electric motor. They'll also propel the car in EV mode for a few kilometres. We are – whether you like it or not – in the more-is-more era of fast cars. Going for a simpler, less powerful, naturally aspirated hybrid powertrain wouldn't have worked. 'It would be a failure,' Mohr said. Even if some enthusiasts might want that, he believes it wouldn't sell. The new Temerario is an exciting first foray into turbo-hybrid territory for a Lamborghini supercar and we've only just scratched its surface here. It's not a totally natural or intuitive car, but rather a supernatural one. Its unique high-revving V8 is probably the best turbocharged engine I've driven. And, it's got the big power, bragging rights and wild looks that should appeal to Lamborghini's core clientele. The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval. Shopping for a new car? Check out the new Globe Drive Build and Price Tool to see the latest discounts, rebates and rates on new cars, trucks and SUVs. Click here to get your price.
The National
a day ago
- Automotive
- The National
Lamborghini Temerario review: Raging bull finds its voice once again
The air at Portugal's Estoril Circuit has often been thick with anticipation thanks to its Formula One legacy but the buzz on this drizzly summer morning was palpable by any standard. That's often the case with a new Lamborghini, a marque that's long defied convention with audacious design and unfiltered power. Take the Countach, which, despite its notorious handling, influenced the silhouette of nearly every supercar since. Today's centrepiece was the debut of the Temerario. Those accustomed to the theatre of car launches still feel the frisson when a new raging bull is unleashed. Lamborghini is about more than speed – it's about presence and a primal connection to the machine. Even before its official reveal, the Temerario whispered promises of a new chapter in Sant'Agata Bolognese's pursuit of automotive drama. Bathed in defiantly bright colours, a menacing line-up of Temerarios sat in the pit lane. Their low-slung, angular forms were new but unmistakably Lamborghini. Razor-sharp lines hinted at aerodynamic intent – the aggressive stance at massive power beneath its composite skin. Signature Y-motifs were subtly evolved. The colossal diffuser and high-mounted exhausts at the rear looked ready to devour tarmac. This was intimidating beauty, demanding attention rather than requesting it. Underneath it all, an all-new 4-litre V8 twin-turbo engine is paired with three electric motors. This isn't just about horsepower. It's about torque delivered like a lightning strike. The 0–100kph sprint takes just 2.7 seconds, with top speed pushing 350kph. But a Lamborghini, especially one built for circuits like Estoril, is about more than straight-line brute force. It's about the dance between driver, machine and asphalt. In that respect, the Temerario was ready to perform. Slipping into the cockpit, one is immediately struck by the focused efficiency of the interior – not unusual in a supercar, but those not familiar with such vehicles might be surprised by how many manufacturers opt for a questionable cabin layout. Every control is within easy reach, each display angled for optimal readability, and the seats, sculpted for lateral support, cradle me firmly, a necessary embrace given what is to come. Pressing the start button unleashes a growl that vibrates through the chassis and into my bones. This is the sound of nearly 800bhp, spinning up to 10,000rpm. The first laps of the iconic circuit were for familiarisation, with the track and the machine. Even during those tame laps, the car's precision was obvious. Steering was direct and unfiltered, translating track textures to fingertips. With 60% more downforce than the Huracan Evo, even amateur drivers could avoid spin-outs. Carbon-ceramic brakes allowed surgical late-braking – like dropping an anchor with scalpel-like precision. It is possible to hit 300kph on Estoril's straight. Those brakes are needed. A firm throttle press turned the windscreen into a blur. The power-train let loose a mechanical scream. Gear changes cracked from the exhaust in perfectly timed bursts. But the Temerario truly shone in corners. Estoril's demanding mix of sweepers and chicanes saw the car remain planted, balanced, and astonishingly fast. Active aero systems glued it to the tarmac. The chassis stayed composed. Grip through fast turns was phenomenal. Pushing a machine like this to its limits brings primal satisfaction. Despite its sophistication, the Temerario retains Lamborghini's raw, unfiltered soul. It demands full attention. At full tilt, there's no room for error, just controlled chaos. Most drivers exited the cockpit with shaking legs and a desperate need for a strong Portuguese coffee. The Lamborghini Temerario is a defiant ode to the thrill of driving. It reminds us that passion, engineering, and a touch of glorious madness still create the extraordinary. As with almost all supercars these days, it can certainly be used on the road, but, as with almost all supercars these days, something a little larger is probably more suitable for a proper road trip. In the city, it's a caged animal: the symbolic bull, barely contained, straining against the bars. The Temerario isn't just a new model, it's a statement. And at Estoril, it landed with impact.
Top Gear
a day ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Hot or not? Here's what designer Frank Stephenson thinks of the Yangwang U9
Opinion Yangwang's thrown the book of design at the U9, but does the McLaren P1 designer think it's been a successful throw? Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Frank Stephenson is a car designer with more hits than the Beatles, including the Escort RS Cossie, first BMW Mini, Maser MC12, numerous Ferraris and the McLaren P1. These days he runs his own consultancy – Frank Stephenson Design. Here he shares his views on Yangwang's U9 with Top Gear A new wave of Chinese car design is upon us. While traditional European and US marques play it safe, Yangwang has thrown the rulebook out of the window. The Chinese are not merely catching up, they're looking further ahead, charting a future in which they define the direction of aesthetics and performance. Advertisement - Page continues below The U9's design is unapologetically extrovert. Rather than conforming to European or US tastes, the U9 shows how the Chinese design language is evolving, without any heritage or baggage from the past holding them back. But the U9 is far from visually harmonious. The convergence of edginess and the abundance of design elements are something closer to a Fast & Furious fantasy than an attempt at timelessness. There is energy, but aesthetic overload has been the route taken to achieve it. As a result, while the U9 will turn heads, it will struggle to earn the kind of enduring respect reserved for the supercar greats. You might like Still, there's something thrilling about the audacity. Yangwang isn't playing it safe – whether you love or question the result, that in itself is a sign that the balance of power in automotive design is shifting. Headlamp treatment screams of aesthetic overload! Thoughtfully placed aero and cooling elements. Advertisement - Page continues below Clean and minimal greenhouse design. Split 'T' graphic for rear lights. Split 'T' graphic repeated for rear diffuser. Material break element seems unnecessarily complicated. Verdict: NOT Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
Auto Blog
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Amazon Is Selling a ‘Very Sturdy' $230 Workbench for Just $115, and Shoppers Say It's ‘Definitely Worth the Price'
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Two iconic Italian brands want to team up once again on a limited-run supercar. View post: Maserati's New Supercar Will Have the One Thing Ferrari Won't Offer A concept will be shown in the next two months, and production will begin within two years. View post: Audi CEO Says New Sports Car Will Be Their 'TT Moment 2.0' There's no wonder police departments use them. They're sleek, comfortable, spacious, and surprisingly powerful. But is it worth almost $60k? View post: Walmart Is Selling a 'Reliable' $160 Retractable Car Charger for $20, and Shoppers Say It's 'Convenient and Fast' Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. When it comes time to sit down and start your home repairs and DIY projects, you need a comfortable space to get to work. Whether you find yourself working in the basement, garage, under a carport, or out in the driveway, you should be optimizing your space as much as possible. And that's where a trusty workbench comes into play. Right now, the Enjoy Workbench is on sale at Amazon for a whopping 50% off. Originally priced at $230, shoppers can now pay $115 for this versatile and stable workbench that will help you complete any type of project. Enjoywood Workbench, $115 (was $230) at Amazon Measuring 48 inches wide, this workbench can be adjusted to five different heights that range between 31.5 inches to almost 40 inches tall. The top of the bench is made from a 1.2 inch slab of natural rubberwood that is scratch-resistant and offers 960 square inches of work space. It features an H-shaped frame with upper and lower crossbars and a load bearing capacity of up to 2,500 pounds. One shopper said, 'This is a high-quality workbench. It is a perfect size for my garage.' While another added, 'Very heavy-duty, and easy to put together.' A third customer wrote, 'I like having a bench/work table where I can choose the height of the work surface. The quality really exceeded my expectations, the frame is heavy-duty, very sturdy, and durable with a powder coat like finish. Good instructions and straightforward assembly.' With four adjustable metal feet, this structure will stay in place no matter what due to its anti-slip rubber pads and steel legs. However, the best part about this workbench is the included four built-in ETL certified sockets. The sockets can be turned on and off via a quick switch and have a 4.5-foot cable to easily plug into the wall. On the side of the workbench, you'll also find a pegboard with hooks that makes it easy to store smaller tools such as hammers, scissors, pliers, wrenches, and more. Another reviewer wrote, 'Overall, I absolutely love this table. It's perfect for our space — in size, style, and quality. It's definitely worth the price! I have no doubt this table will last a long, long time. I highly recommend it.' Treat yourself to organization and a clutter-free space with this $115 workbench. It will instantly become your go-to spot for just about anything. About the Author Victoria Garcia View Profile
