Lamborghini President decorated as Grand Officer

On Nov. 29, Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, was awarded the esteemed decoration of Grand Officer in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. The award was presented during a ceremony at Palazzo Chigi, which was presided over by Gianni Letta, the Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

The award is a tribute to Winkelmann?s commitment to re-launch the Italian marque, which has attained a leading position on the international automotive scene.

?It is with great satisfaction that I receive this prestigious decoration, which I would like to share with everyone at Lamborghini, whose devotion and hard work have helped turn this company into a model of Italian and international excellence in the super sports car sector,? Winkelmann said of the award.

The growth of Automobili Lamborghini has been distinguished by one of the most highly esteemed turn-around programs in the automotive and luxury sectors. Since his appointment in 2005, Winkelmann has implemented a business strategy based on three major principles: the product line, sales network and brand extension. Its goal is to turn Lamborghini into a more appealing manufacturer that produces some of the most coveted super sports cars in the world.

The first principle involves the product line, which is split into two models - the Gallardo and the Murciélago. This product strategy includes a commitment to introducing at least one new product every year, along with substantial investments in Research and Development, which has been the driving force behind the company?s total turnover.
The second principle is a considerable expansion of the sales network to maximize market penetration. Thanks to this policy, the number of Lamborghini dealers worldwide has doubled in only a few years.

The third strategic principle is brand extension, which Winkelmann views as an opportunity to further develop the value of the marque and strengthen its market recognition. Numerous products and services have been developed to further the brand, including a line of clothing and accessories (Collezione Automobili Lamborghini), a monomarque motorsport championship (the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo), the Lamborghini driving experience and more.

Lamborghini Announces New Directors

Automobili Lamborghini has reorganized its management team with the appointment of three new directors, who join President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann.

Effective Jan. 1, 2011, two new members will join the Executive Committee of Lamborghini ? Fintan Knight will serve as Commercial Director and Rainer Seidl will be responsible for Administration, Control and IT. Holger Weichhaus has been Director of Quality since Nov. 1, 2010.

Knight has nearly 18 years of experience in the automotive industry in marketing, sales, retail development and general management. He has a degree in economics and experience in international markets including Asia, Australia and Europe.

Seidl has a degree in Business and Engineering and has been with AUDI AG for 13 years, with experience in finance control of subsidiary businesses. He replaces Salvatore Cieri, who has been appointed Managing Director of Italdesign Giugiaro.

Weichhaus has a degree in Engineering, and has held various roles at Audi since 1998. He replaces Ingo Budde, who has returned to AUDI AG?s management in the Quality Department.

The Heart of a Bull ? Taking the V12 Engine into the Future

Lamborghini has announced its dedication to focus on improved power-to-weight ratios as a means of achieving extreme driving pleasure. While carbon fiber and other lightweight components assist on the weight-reduction side, on the opposing side is the creation of power; Lamborghini?s newest piece of power takes that to the next level.

The brand new 6.5-liter V12 engine, featuring an output of 700 horsepower and a maximum torque of 509 lb-ft., conjures a breathtaking driving experience featuring high-revving exhilaration and magnificent performance, with low weight and moderate emissions.

?This new power unit is not only the crowning glory of our product lineup, it is also part of our enormous investment in the future of the Lamborghini brand,? says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. ?With this new V12, we are heralding a technological leap that encompasses all areas of the company and our future model range.?

Lamborghini?s R&D Department shifts their emphasis to meet this innovation, turning to a mediating relationship of power and size. The outcome is a V12 with a classic cylinder bank angle of 60 degrees, and thus an amazingly compact power package ? the unit measures only 665 millimeters from top to bottom. Its width is only 848 millimeters, while its length is a mere 784 millimeters. Optimized for high-revving and low weight, this new gearbox system along with the 700 hp engine will be at the heart of the Murciélago successor next year, says Winkelmann.

The perfect complement to the new twelve-cylinder is a revolutionary transmission concept for super sports cars: the ?Lamborghini ISR? automated manual gearbox. Lamborghini ISR combines minimal shift times and everyday convenience with low weight and dimensions to guarantee the emotional gearshift that customers expect from a vehicle at the peak of the exotic car food chain.

Lamborghini has featured twelve-cylinder engines from the very beginning, with the first model created by Ferruccio Lamborghini, the 1964 350 GT. Be it the Miura, Espada, Countach, Diablo or Murciélago, Lamborghini vehicles have - and will continue to ? lead the super sports car pack by driving with V12 engines.

Now, ?With extraordinary innovations, Lamborghini will redefine the future of the super sports car,? says Winkelmann.

Eventi Lamborghini Events

The Farewell Ride of the Lamborghini Murciélago

On Nov. 5, 2010 in Sant? Agata Bolognese, Italy, the Murciélago took its final ride as it retires from the Lamborghini family. To honor the legacy of the Murciélago, a special celebration was held at the Lamborghini factory featuring an exhibition of iconic V12 Lamborghini models including the Miura, the Countach and the Diablo. These historic vehicles escorted the Murciélago on its final ride through the streets of Sant?Agata as Lamborghini aficionados watched with wide eyes.

The parade marked the end of an era in which an impressive 4,099 Murciélagos were produced in the span of almost a decade -- an incredibly successful and iconic feat in the super sports car world. The last piece of history to leave the factory was the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, which featured a large rear wing and Arancio Atlas paintwork, and of course bore the special production number 4,099.

From 2001 to 2010, the Lamborghini Murcielago defined impeccable engineering. From the iconic ?scissor? doors, to the razor sharp edges and lightweight engineering, the Murciélago will always be remembered for its state of the art technology and outstanding product quality.

Although the Murciélago has taken its last ride from the factory, Lamborghini will soon introduce the new V12 super sports car to join the legendary Lamborghini family. Click here to read more about the newly announced V12 powertrain.

Famiglia Lamborghini Owner Profile

Interview with Lamborghini Owner Michael Thoren

Each month in the new Bollettino, we will profile a Lamborghini owner to not only include his or her passion for the brand, but also give the community a brief glimpse into their everyday life. We hope you will enjoy learning more about your fellow enthusiasts through this monthly profile. If you have a suggestion for the monthly profile, please email Rachel Jones-Pittier.

Interview with Lamborghini owner Michael Thoren, who keeps Lamborghini on the right side of the law and has driven across the country in his Gallardo Spyder.

What model/year Lamborghini vehicles do you own?
I own a 2008 Gallardo Spyder, in Balloon white with a black top and trim.

What first attracted you to the Lamborghini brand?
I am an immigration attorney, and I first got acquainted with Lamborghini after doing a few legal cases for the company. I was drawn in by free test drives.

For you, what makes a Lamborghini vehicle ? and the brand ? unique?
Knowing it?s the best vehicle on the road - and that everyone else knows it too.

What are your favorite things about your Lamborghinis?
Driving the Sea to Sky Highway (Hwy 99) north of Vancouver, and just seeing it in the driveway each day.

What makes you feel like part of Famiglia Lamborghini?
I spend more on the car than I do on my kids.

What kind of auto show events and Lamborghini events do you attend?
I enjoy Lamborghini events, and I attend as often as I can find an excuse to go. I participated in a customer drive to Monterey last summer, and will definitely go again next year.

How does your Lamborghini affect your daily life or your ?day job??
I tend to get a lot more done at work in the winter or on rainy days, since in the summer I would much rather drive with the top down than work.

You?ve driven a lot of miles in your Spyder; explain your cross country travels.
In less than two years I?ve driven 47,000 miles and counting. I hit all four corners of the United States last year, traveled Route 66 from start to finish, and traveled across Canada.

Fatto Fact

DID YOU KNOW: Emilia?Romagna Region

It?s well-known among brand enthusiasts that Lamborghini?s birthplace is the small village of Sant?Agata, Bolognese. But did you know Sant?Agata is in one of Italy?s most famed regions, the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy? Renowned for its deep history and world-famous attractions, the region is home to some of the most well-known automotive manufacturers, artists and culinary treasures.

Emilia-Romagna breeds a deep ?need for speed? ? in addition to Lamborghini, it is also home to automakers such as Ferrari, Maserati, Pagani and Dallara. Each day these factories turn out some of the sexiest and most sophisticated vehicles alongside the ?extreme, uncompromising and unmistakably Italian? Lamborghinis produced.

The region has a rich cultural history, as it gave birth to the Renaissance Movement where legends such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Giovanni Da Verrazzano, Dante Alighieri, Giovanni Boccaccio, Niccolò Machiavelli, Antonio Meucci and Amerigo Vespucci shaped science, poetry art and politics.

Emilia-Romagna is also known for its culinary masterpieces and is considered one of the best food regions in Italy. The pasta, sauces, cheeses and pork products of Emilia-Romagna are world famous and still made in the traditional manner. Stuffed pasta includes the Tortellini of Emilia and the Cappelletti of Romagna, served with the famous Bolognese Ragu. The region is also home to the most popular Italian cheese: Parmigiano-Reggiano. Parma?s renowned Prosciutto and the wines of Emilia Romagna are very popular throughout all of Italy.

The Lamborghini factory and museum in Sant?Agata is available for tours ? just be sure to spend time soaking up the rich culture of the greater region during your visit.