Lamborghini Murcielago

There are few cars that will stop streets like a Murcielago and the LP640 even more so. Supercars like this are now getting few and far between, so we should rejoice in the insanity while we have access to it.

• Comfort

  Even though the seating position and general ergonomics of the LP640 have come a long, long way from the ‘long arms, short legs' Lambos of old, the Murcie remains a big, noisy, tiring supercar. But we wouldn't have it any other way.

  

• Performance

  In a word: shattering. Four-wheel drive and 471kW, combined with a torque figure of 660Nm mean that you can launch the big Murcielago to 100km/h in just 3.4 seconds, all day, every day. You're looking at 340km/h and the ability to crest the national speed limit in first gear, so the other gears are really only there to determine how long you are held as a guest of your state's correctional centres.

  

• Cool

  It may be a bit shouty, but you gotta love a Murcie. Things this outrageous have a little bubble of cool all to themselves.

  

• Quality

  Audi ownership, as with the Gallardo, has met resistance from enthusiasts who think that ‘character' involves having things that don't work. The Murcielago no longer suffers from annoying niggles like setting fire to itself or failing to start. We think that's possibly a good thing.

  

• Handling

  The Murcie is big, but manages to shrink the faster you drive it. It never quite manages the deft flick-flack of the Gallardo, but any third gear, full power corner will show you why the four-wheel drive is both necessary and still fun. Whoever said that they can stick with a Lambo in a hot hatch is lying.

  

• Practicality

  Reverse parking is possible, but not advisable. Similarly there is enough space to store a weekend's worth of dirty laundry, but you'd probably be better off sending them on. Scissor doors become necessary when you consider just how wide the Murcielago really is - if you parked next to other cars with normal doors, you'd never get out. Solution is to never park next to other cars.

  

• Running costs

  Do you really have to ask? needs to refuel at an oil tanker and servicing is paid in uncut diamonds.