These days, when a new car is more powerful than the one it replaces, the advantage is usually quelled by a corresponding increase in weight. Not so in the case of Lamborghini’s replacement for the Murciélago. It’s likely to be called the ‘Jota’ as a tribute to the Miura SVJ and is expected to be lighter and fitted with a more powerful V12 engine.

Lets start with the weight savings. The Jota will undoubtedly benefit from parent-company Audi’s expertise in both direct fuel injection and aluminum construction. The current Murciélago uses a steel-tube frame with structural elements composed of carbon fibre. The body work is also a mix of metal and carbon, with relatively heavy items, like the roof, still being made from steel. With Audi’s “vorsprung durch technik”, the Jota is expected to benefit from extensive use of lightweight aluminum and carbon fibre, in both the chassis and bodywork structures.

An all-new direct-injection V12 is planned, with talk of power output in the region of 515 kW. The current Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce makes the most power in the Murciélago range – 486 kW – thanks to a 6,5-litre V12. The lighter, more powerful Jota should be able to eclipse the current range-topper’s 3.2 second 0 – 100 km/h time and 340 km/h top speed.

Also on the cards is an all-new all-wheel-drive system, being developed together with Haldex. Haldex is the company responsible for the Saab 9-3 Turbo X’s torque-vectoring rear differential and, as systems like that are becoming increasingly fashionable in performance circles, it seems likely that torque vectoring could be coming to the Jota. Torque vectoring works by directing power to individual wheels with the most available grip. In practice, it works like stability control, but helps the driver go faster rather than slowing them down. It makes controlled slides easy in big, heavy vehicles like the BMW X6 M, so it should make the light and low-riding Jota amazingly capable.

etting back to the Lamborghini Miura SVJ. The ‘J’ stands for ‘Jota’, which formed part of the designation for a high-powered version of the standard Miura that became one of the most desirable vehicles ever made. With that in mind, the latest Jota will have a lot to live up to.

After nearly a decade in production, the Lamborghini Murcielago is swiftly reaching the end of the road. These new spy photos, revealing the Murcielago successor prototype for the first time, show that development of the next hero Lambo is well underway.

Previous reports suggested the as-yet unnamed Murcielago successor would utilise the ultra-light – and smaller – aluminium spaceframe underpinning the Audi R8. These new photos add credence to those reports, the body of the prototype appearing more compact and lithe than the outgoing Murcie’s proportions.

Other early reports claimed the new Lambo would ride on a wheelbase close in length to that of the current model, but with shorter overhangs front and rear.

Although difficult to discern, the spied prototype appears to utilise a slightly shorter wheelbase than expected – keeping it more in line with the R8 wheelbase – while its rear overhang appears every bit as long as the outgoing model, if not longer. If the prototype Murcielago successor is shorter, nose to rear, than the outgoing model, speculation that it will sit on a wider track appears vindicated here.

While the prototype is still decked in significant camouflage, it’s clear that the sharply-cut rear end bears a stylistic connection to the recent Estoque concept. Along the doors, deep intake gouges feature, oddly reminiscent of the Ferrari Testarossa – although some of that can be attributed to the deliberately diversionary strakes running along the inside of the intakes.

It’s too soon to be speculating about engines and performance details, but, as with the Ferrari 458 Italia, the new Lamborghini’s output should comfortably match that of its most potent forebears: in this case, the 500 kW Murcielago LP 670-4 SV.

Via TheMotorReport

Back in July 2009, Reiter Engineering unveiled its Murcielago LP670 R-SV, a GT1 race-ready version of the already hardcore LP 670-4 SV. Until now, the only pictures of the LP670 R-SV that exist were the ones taken at the 24 hours of SPA. Thanks to racingworld.it, more pictures have become available.

To fill you in on this special Murcielago, here is the press release from Reiter…(Click to expand)

Adapted from JonSibal

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