Best Car Reviews - 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago
Introduction
The 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago is a dramatic, low-volume V12 supercar built for collectors and drivers who value occasion, theatre, and naturally aspirated performance above everyday practicality. Available as the LP 640-4 coupe, LP 640-4 Roadster, and harder-core LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, it combines permanent all-wheel drive with Lamborghini’s unmistakable scissor doors and extrovert styling. It was among the final Lamborghini flagships powered by a traditional 6.5-litre V12 and represents the end of a particularly raw era for the brand.
Design and Exterior Features
The Murcielago has a wedge-shaped silhouette, a very low roofline, broad rear haunches, and deeply cut side air intakes. At approximately 181.5 inches long, 81 inches wide, and 44.7 inches high in LP 640 form, it has a wide, planted stance that makes even modern traffic seem ordinary. The LP 640 facelift sharpened the original Murcielago’s appearance with revised bumpers, larger intakes, and updated rear styling, while the SuperVeloce added more aggressive aero elements and lightweight visual details.
- Signature upward-opening scissor doors.
- Wide bodywork with functional side air intakes for the mid-mounted V12.
- LP 640 coupe and Roadster body styles, plus the more focused LP 670-4 SuperVeloce coupe.
- All-wheel-drive stance and large alloy wheels with ultra-low-profile performance tyres.
- Distinctive rear engine cover and quad-exhaust presentation.
Interior and Comfort
The two-seat cabin is intimate, driver-focused, and more dramatic than spacious. Leather, Alcantara, aluminium details, and extensive personalization options give the Murcielago a hand-built luxury character, although its low seating position, broad sills, limited rearward visibility, and modest storage make it far less convenient than a grand tourer. The LP 640’s cabin is more polished than earlier Murcielagos, but comfort remains secondary to the car’s supercar experience.
- Two-seat layout with deeply bolstered sports seats.
- Leather and available Alcantara upholstery with Ad Personam personalization.
- Driver-oriented instrument cluster and centre console.
- Front luggage compartment for limited weekend luggage.
- Low roofline and wide doorsills that require care when entering or exiting.
Performance and Handling
The LP 640-4 uses a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 with 640 PS, commonly quoted as about 631 hp, driving all four wheels. The LP 650-4 Roadster raises output slightly, while the LP 670-4 SuperVeloce produces 670 PS, or about 661 hp. A six-speed manual was offered, while the available e-gear automated manual uses a single-clutch automated shifting system; the SuperVeloce was generally specified with e-gear. Lamborghini quoted 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds for the LP 640, while the SV is quicker. The provided consumption figure of 27.05 L/100 km reflects extremely high fuel use; published economy varies by market, transmission, and test cycle, with U.S. estimates for e-gear models around 11 mpg combined.
- 6.5-litre naturally aspirated 60-degree V12.
- Permanent all-wheel drive with limited-slip differentials.
- LP 640 output of 640 PS; LP 670-4 SuperVeloce output of 670 PS.
- Six-speed manual or available e-gear automated manual transmission.
- LP 640 factory-claimed 0-100 km/h acceleration of 3.4 seconds.
Technology and Connectivity
The 2010 Murcielago predates the smartphone-centred infotainment expectations of newer supercars. Its technology is focused on the powertrain, instrument display, climate control, and optional audio equipment rather than touchscreen connectivity or advanced driver assistance. The e-gear transmission’s paddles and selectable driving modes are the most important technology features for drivers choosing the automated transmission.
- Available e-gear paddle-shift automated manual system.
- Conventional audio system rather than modern app-based infotainment.
- Climate control and power convenience features.
- Digital and analogue instrumentation for key driving information.
- No factory smartphone integration, adaptive cruise control, or lane-keeping assistance.
Safety Features
Safety equipment includes front airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control systems, and the security of all-wheel drive. The Murcielago was engineered to meet applicable market safety requirements, but it was not evaluated by modern U.S. crash-test programmes such as the NHTSA or IIHS. Its low driving position, extreme performance capability, and limited outward visibility demand alert, experienced driving.
- Driver and passenger front airbags.
- Anti-lock braking system.
- Electronic stability and traction-control functions.
- All-wheel drive for traction in changing conditions.
- No verified modern NHTSA or IIHS crash-test rating for this model.
Pricing and Variants
In the United States, the 2010 LP 640-4 Coupe started at about $354,000, the LP 640-4 Roadster at about $382,400, and the LP 670-4 SuperVeloce at about $450,000 before destination charges, options, taxes, and market adjustments. The Murcielago competed with rare, high-performance exotics such as the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Porsche Carrera GT on the used market, and Aston Martin DBS. Its V12 soundtrack, four-wheel drive, and flamboyant design gave it a markedly different character from those rivals.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Charismatic naturally aspirated V12 soundtrack and response.
- Iconic scissor-door Lamborghini design.
- All-wheel drive provides strong traction for a high-power supercar.
- LP 640 and SV versions deliver genuinely extraordinary acceleration.
- Low production and final-era V12 status enhance collector appeal.
Cons
- Very high fuel consumption, including approximately 27.05 L/100 km for the supplied figure.
- E-gear shifts can feel abrupt compared with modern dual-clutch transmissions.
- Low ground clearance and wide bodywork complicate daily use.
- Cabin ergonomics, visibility, and storage are compromised.
- Specialist servicing, tyres, clutch work, and parts can be exceptionally expensive.
Maintenance and Common Issues
A reliable, model-specific yearly maintenance-cost average is not broadly verified, and ownership costs vary greatly with mileage, service history, location, and whether major work is due. Buyers should budget for specialist inspection and reserve funds well beyond normal luxury-car maintenance. Common owner-reported and specialist-discussed concerns include e-gear clutch wear and calibration, hydraulic system or actuator faults, ageing electrical components and battery-related issues, cooling-system or hose leaks, and suspension-lift or front-suspension wear. A pre-purchase inspection by a Lamborghini-experienced specialist is essential.
Rating
Overall rating: 8.7/10. Design: 9.8/10 for its unforgettable proportions and visual drama. Comfort: 6.5/10 because it is a focused two-seater rather than a relaxed grand tourer. Performance: 9.7/10 for its V12 power, traction, and acceleration. Technology: 6.2/10 due to its era-appropriate but now dated infotainment and driver-assistance offering. Safety: 7.0/10 for core active and passive equipment, tempered by the lack of modern crash-test data and assistance systems.
User Reviews and Feedback
Owner feedback commonly centres on the Murcielago’s sense of event, its engine sound, and its visual impact. Enthusiasts tend to accept its compromises as part of the appeal, while less tolerant owners point to the effort required to run and manoeuvre it.
- Owners often describe the V12 sound and throttle response as the car’s defining strengths.
- The scissor doors and aggressive proportions generate exceptional attention.
- All-wheel drive is frequently appreciated for confident traction under acceleration.
- Many find e-gear engaging at speed but less smooth in slow traffic.
- Running costs and the need for experienced specialist support are recurring concerns.
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Summary
The 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago is best suited to collectors and experienced enthusiasts seeking an unapologetically analogue-feeling V12 supercar with lasting visual presence. It is not a sensible daily driver, and its fuel, maintenance, and repair demands are substantial. Yet for buyers who value the finality of a naturally aspirated flagship V12, all-wheel-drive traction, and one of Lamborghini’s most recognisable designs, the Murcielago remains an exceptionally compelling modern classic.