These are exciting times for Lamborghini. The company has new models on the block, including the Urus SUV in 2018, and has never looked stronger.
It also has a wonderful past that is filled with some of the most exciting cars ever produced. We may not be able to afford a brand new one, but the chances are that we could scrape together enough dosh to dabble in the lower reaches of Lamborghini ownership.
If not, it is certainly fun looking and dreaming. So which would be your favourite Lambo? Just to start an argument, here are my five favourites.
Before the Range Rover Sport or Porsche Cayenne, there was the completely outrageous LM002. In fact, it was supposed to be a Hummer before anyone knew what a Hummer was. The US Army didn’t buy, but a revised version with a Countach V12 proved relatively popular in the Middle East, where petrol was cheaper than water. Some dubbed it the 'Rambo Lambo' (as bought by the Saudi army), but when kitted out with air-con and leather it was a lot more Louis Vuitton Lambo. You can find out how we got when we revisited the LM002 SUV here.
Lamborghini Countach
A wild supercar child of the 1970s. The literal translation of the name is ‘that’s it’. For many, this 180mph Countach certainly was, although the purity of the original design became debased throughout the 1980s with increasingly ugly bodykits.
From 1978, the wider tyres, uprated suspension and outrageous rear wing of the S derivative became Countach trademarks. By 1985, the QV with its four-valve cylinder heads produced 455bhp and hit a claimed 200mph. Road tests proved it could do a more modest 178mph, but the 0-60mph time was an impressive 4.9sec. In terms of modern-day gremlins, the air-con often doesn’t work, interiors are expensive to retrim and brakes can seize on ones that don’t get any exercise.
Lamborghini Diablo
How could Lamborghini top the Countach? It couldn’t, but the Diablo was devilishly naughty with a new 5.7-litre, 48-valve V12 producing 492bhp which meant that 60mph arrived in a smidge over four seconds and officially it would top 200mph. There wasn’t much in the way of standard kit, not even ABS brakes but buyers could invest in a rear wing or fitted luggage if they wanted. Clutches take a beating and may struggle to last 20,000 miles. Look out for oil leaks. New tyres could be the least of your worries at £350 each for the wider rear covers.
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Anyway, article headline talks about Lambos you might be able to afford then the article doesn't give prices. Insta-fail.
Shock horror.
One correction to your article James..
A friend of mine had an Espada for a while and in the metal they look amazing! Drove beautifully but was horendously expensive to run. In the end he sold it for an uglier (though somehow similar concept) Panamera. Much easier on the wallet! :D
Page One problem- AGAIN!