Remember the Lamborghini Diablo? What could possibly follow that brutish, absurdly fast monster? The answer was the Murciélago.

Power? It's got 580bhp from a new 6.2-litre V12 engine. Speed? More than 200mph and 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds. That pretty much makes it the ultimate Lambo made to date.

You can't deny it looks the part too, with muscular but understated lines. The coupe body - lately also joined by a Roadster version - is made from a mix of steel and carbon fibre which makes it strong but rather heavy at 1650kg.

But parent company Audi wanted to ensure there is plenty of built-in safety, so it's been over-engineered. Features include air intake 'ears' that move according to speed and a rear spoiler whose angle adjusts. Inside, it looks and feels pretty special too.

It's been on sale since May 2002 but finding used examples is a challenge; they can be located at prices that are starting to look attractive - especially now there's a new cheaper Lambo Gallardo slotted in beneath it.

And what does Murciélago mean? Like almost all Lambos, it's named after a fighting bull (whose life was spared in 1879).

Lamborghini Murciélago rivals
Koenigsegg CC
Mercedes SLR McLaren
Porsche Carrera GT

Lamborghini Murciélago road tests
Lamborghini LP640 Roadster - January 19, 2007
Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster - August 4, 2004
Lamborghini Murcielago - November 7, 2001