Lamborghini launches premium-priced drop-top

LAMBORGHINI used the Brisbane show to launch the new Murcielago Roadster, which is now officially Australia’s most expensive convertible.

Priced at $669,000 in six-speed manual guise (or $687,705 on-road), just nine examples of the new Roadster will be available here in 2005 – up from the expected seven, with four heading to Sydney, three to Melbourne and two Queensland-bound examples already sold.

Powered by a 426kW/650Nm 6.2-litre V12 and featuring automatic rollover hoops and scissor doors, Murcielago Roadster is good for claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in a motorcycle-like 3.8 seconds, along with a top speed of 330km/h.

Lamborghini’s E-gear transmission is the most expensive option at a staggering $26,197, with a carbon-fibre bonnet costing an extra $15,353, a carbon-fibre engine frame costing $10,746, a wind deflector priced at $4590 and coloured brake callipers setting well-heeled customers back $2294.

Murcielago Roadster joins Murcielago coupe ($616,856 on road) and the more compact, V10-powered Gallardo coupe ($413,878 on road) on sale in Australia, the latter model accounting for the bulk of Lamborghini’s expected sales volume of 45 vehicles in 2005 – up from last year’s record of 39.

Lamborghini Australia chief Andrew Smith confirmed in Brisbane that further evolutions of the Murcielago will go on sale in Australia in 2007, including a new front-engined, four-seater model for the first time.