The Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SuperVeloce is one of those cars that arrives at the end of a model’s life and shows how much had been left on the table. Shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009 as the most extreme Murciélago, before the Aventador replaced it in 2011, the SV was the last V12 Lamborghini you could order with a manual gearbox. Most were built with paddles, which makes a three-pedal SV very hard to find.
The Manual Gearbox Question
On the SV, the standard gearbox was e-gear, Lamborghini’s single-clutch automated manual with paddles. A six-speed manual was offered as a no-cost option, and that option is what makes the car matter today.
The Aventador that followed came only with a paddle-shift gearbox, and so has every V12 Lamborghini since. The smaller V10 Gallardo kept a manual until 2013, so the SV isn’t the last manual Lamborghini. It is the last manual V12 flagship.
In a manual SV, the gate is notchy and physical, the throws are long by sports car standards, and the clutch is heavy and communicative. Driving one at pace takes skill, commitment and upper body involvement that no paddle-shift system can replace.
The Engine
The 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 makes 493 kW (670 CV) at 8,000 rpm and 660 Nm at 6,500 rpm. Lamborghini quotes 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, and a top speed of 342 km/h with the small rear spoiler or 337 km/h with the large Aeropack wing.
Weight reduction of 100 kg compared to the standard LP640 was achieved through carbon fibre body panels – the front bonnet, the rear wing, the front bumper and side sills are all carbon, as well as much of the interior panelling. The result is a 1,565 kg car (dry) that feels lighter and more agile than the standard Murciélago.
The V12 in the SV is a raw, mechanical experience. There is no turbocharging, no hybrid assistance, no electronic torque fill. Power arrives purely as a function of engine speed, and getting the most from it requires precise throttle management and an understanding of where in the rev range the engine wants to be.
Australian Market and Pricing
Lamborghini planned a run of 350 SVs, all coupes. There was no SV Roadster. Most sources put the number actually built at 186, though Lamborghini hasn’t published a final count. Very few came to Australia: before launch, the local importer expected to bring in three or four. When it was on sale here, the SV cost $889,000 (GoAuto, 2011), the most expensive Lamborghini sold in Australia at the time.
On the used market, an SV with good history is one of the most sought-after modern Lamborghinis. Prices vary a lot with condition, kilometres and gearbox, and the rare manual cars sell for far more than e-gear cars. We haven’t printed a figure, because there are too few recent Australian sales to give an honest one.
What It Is Like to Own One in Australia
Ownership of a Murciélago LP670-4 SV in Australia requires commitment. These cars are over fifteen years old. Parts availability for some components is challenging – certain body panels and interior trim items are no longer in production, and specialist fabrication may be required for some repairs.
Servicing must be conducted through specialists with Lamborghini experience. The V12 engine is reliable in broad terms but requires careful maintenance – oil changes at the recommended intervals, careful warm-up periods before hard use, and attention to the cooling system are all important.
Whichever gearbox a car has, treat it with respect. On a manual, avoid slipping the clutch in traffic where possible. On e-gear, the single clutch wears too, so ask for its condition before you buy. Either way, make sure the gearbox oil has been changed at the right intervals.
The Collector Argument
The LP670-4 SV is increasingly recognised as a collector’s car in Australia, and a manual car even more so. It represents the end of an era: the last V12 Lamborghini flagship offered with a manual gearbox, a combination Lamborghini hasn’t offered since.
Verdict
The Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SV is a visceral, demanding, and deeply rewarding car. It is not easy to own, not easy to drive fast, and not inexpensive to maintain. For collectors who value the analogue experience and the historical significance of the last manual V12 Lamborghini, no price argument is needed. For buyers approaching from a purely practical standpoint, the SV is probably not the right choice. It was never designed to be.
Where this came from
Every changeable figure above, what it was checked against, and when.
Figures are correct as at the dates shown. We re-check cars on sale every three months and tax thresholds every July. How we check our facts.
Side-by-side specs, Australian pricing and performance figures for every exotic and luxury car we cover.