The legend of Lamborghini’s origin is one of the most fitting of all car manufacturers. When Ferruccio Lamborghini had dinner with Enzo Ferrari and mentioned that he wasn’t too pleased with his new red sports car, a very Italian argument erupted – one that ended with Enzo inviting Ferruccio to go and build his own car. He did, and Lamborghini was born.
Since that fateful day, many iconic Raging Bulls have hit the road, but these are 10 of the best.
Lamborghini Miura
Arguably the world’s first supercar, this machine was actually the result of an out of hours project by engineers. Lamborghini initially had no intention of building anything other than GT cars, but this compact mid-engine platform garnered so much interest that it became a production reality.
This car’s beautiful Bertone bodywork captured the imagination like no car before it, and that V12 delivered performance to match. A fun fact about the Miura is that the first display car was shown without its engine due to the twelve-cylinder unit not fitting the night before.
Lamborghini 350 GTV
The result of that dinnertime spat with Enzo Ferrari was the world’s first Lamborghini model. Dubbed 350 GTV, this V12 GT car was the precursor to the 350 GT production car. Its beautiful Carrozzeria Sargiotto coachwork delivered on a sleek shape that made its Ferrari rival look a bit old-fashioned.
Even from the very first car Lamborghini was keen to make a statement. This GTV featured six exhaust exits!
Lamborghini Countach
How do you replace the legendary Miura? You turn things up to 11. The V12 Countach features attention-grabbing styling that remains as dramatic today as it did back in 1974. Throughout its life, it gained power but lost none of its charisma
The ultimate poster car? We think so! This supercar had an incredibly long production run of 16 years.
Lamborghini Diablo
The Lamborghini Diablo had a difficult birth thanks to the Italian firm’s financial situation and subsequent acquisition by Chrysler. Redesigned three times before being revealed, the flagship Raging Bull of the 1990s was worth the wait.
Initially offered with a 5.7-litre V12 engine, the new Diablo would crack 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 202mph. A later VT model introduced all-wheel drive to Lamborghini’s lead model for the first time.
Lambroghini LM002
Born out of a defunct military project, the HUMVEE rival was repurposed as an all-terrain vehicle capable of prospecting for oil in the desert. Believe it or not, this 4×4 utilised the same V12 engine as the Countach supercar of the same era!
The Urus was far from Lamborghini’s first SUV, with the LM002 arriving in 1986. Its off-road abilities were bolstered by bespoke desert tyres made by Pirelli.
Lamborghini Murcielago
When Volkswagen bought Lamborghini there was a real worry amongst enthusiasts that the German brand would blunt the bull's horns. The Lamborghini Murcielago proved that wasn’t the case with this V12 flagship a true successor to its illustrious bloodline.
Over its nine years of service, the big bull grew faster and more powerful. Its ultimate form was the SV, or SuperVeloce, a 661bhp winged monster.
Lamborghini Urus
We’re sure there will be any enthusiasts raging that Lamborghini’s new SUV has found a home on this list, but hear us out before lighting your torches and fetching those pitchforks. The Urus isn’t Lambo’s first 4×4 – see the LM002 – so there is a linage here. However, it makes it onto this list for being a significant part of Lamborghini history. In fact, it is the car that has secured the Italian Marque’s future.
The Lamborghini Urus is not only impressive because of its 641bhp V8 engine, but cause it is the most successful model in Lambo history. This car will help bankroll future supercars, something you should be thankful for, like it or not.
Lamborghini Espada
Another Bertone masterpiece, the Espada was a handsome 2+2 GT that hosted Lamborghini’s signature V12 engine. If you needed to take the kids to school, but couldn’t bring yourself to part with your Raging Bull, this was the answer.
This car was greatly influenced by the space-age Marzal concept.
Lamborghini Essenza SCV1
Billed as Lamborghini’s last pure V12 car, the SCV12 is a car unhindered by regulations or rules. This track-only machine generates 818bhp and 759Nm of torque via a naturally aspirated 12-cylinder engine. As far as swan songs go, this is an impressive one.
Just 40 Lamborghini Essenza SCV12s will be produced, each costing £1.9 million plus local taxes.
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
Just 20 of these track-only supercars were built from 2010 onwards. The Sesto Elemento was based on the Gallardo, but featured extensively rework components, many forged from carbon fibre. In fact Sesto Elemento translates to sixth element, a nod to carbon’s position on the periodic table.
The car weighed just 999kg and remains one of the lightest modern Lamborghinis created. Its design also went on to influence the next V10 bull, the Lamborghini Huracan.
Keyword: Top 10 greatest Lamborghinis ever