Here we go again.  The Lamborghini LP640 arrived in my garage for me this weekend in a trade for the Bentley Flying Spur that a friend of mine owns.  He was out of town so I took it.  For better or worse, here's the review:

Looks: Well, I guess if you loved the Countach growing up (as I did) this is the logical evoloution of that car.  It's absurdly wide and low and looks more like a space ship than a car.  By far, this car got more looks as I drove around then any other car I've ever driven.  Personally, I believe I've outgrown this look but it certainly is interesting.  Vents everywhere and looks like a comic book car. 

Fit: Not as good as the Gallardo actually.  It definately had bigger gaps on the panels and the wing thing was kind of rickety.  The interior fit was good but the cockpit was kind of blocky and unrefined.  Considering this is also an Audi machine I'm going to have to believe that it was originally designed in Italy and Audi just put it together.  Bad part is it was a very very dated feel.  Kind of like the blocky cockpit back in the 80's.  Meanwhile the dashboard definately had creaks in it and it made noises like leather rubbing against leather when driving it. (although the engine noise drowned a lot of it out)

Interior: Stereo was useless and horrible.  The electronics were simple but manageable.  No nav or anything (of course) but the stability thing works pretty well.  The biggest thing you notice is low sling.  You feel like you are sitting on the highway.  Now I don't personally know if this thing is lower than the F430 or the Gallardo but it really feels like you are on the pavement.  Reminds me a lot of the Lotus Exige.  The seat was too big.  Felt like I was kind of engulfed in this thing.  Was only so so on comfort.  I would definately NOT want to drive it for more than 50 miles.  OK OK So I put 200 miles on it but that's not the point and I'm getting a massage tomm.

Engine: Ohhh kay, now we are talking.  The bad news here is it definately does not feel as agile as the gallardo.  The AWD on the gallardo feels like you have foor feet planted firmly on the ground.  This thing is definately pushing you but it sure pushes hard.  The acceleration might not be as fast as the F430 but it FEELS faster.  I think it's because of the sitting position that makes it so.  Control is way out there.  Best way I can describe it is to compare versus an F430.  The Ferrari feels like you can do anything you want in the car.  40 feet space 2 lanes across 100 yards up? No problem zip zip zip you there.  This thing felt like you could also do that but you could also oversteer undercorrect and over accelerate and put it right into the guardrail.  Just too much.  I feel like a car has to be complete and this feels like too much engine not enough transmission and steering.  I suppose this is what one of those big block american cars feels like.  At speed, the engine is quite happy just toddering along at say 80mph but unlike the 550 it's not a comfortable feeling like a classic GT car.  It's more like "grrrrr I'm going 80 but I could do 180 and I could also kill you if you screw up. Grrrrrr".
Overall: This car is just stupid.  I can't tell you how embarassing it is to have people waiting while you try to pull into a gas station at a 45 degree angle at .05 mph.  And I truly mean inch by inch.  It's too damn low.  Keep in mind that "hood" area is extremely short and beneath your line of vision so you kind of feel like you have the ENTIRE car (and it's a big car) behind you with this gynormous windshield in front of you.  Maybe that's the thing, there is so much car behind you that the push feels like it's coming from too far behind you so it leads to a rather disconnected driving feel from the rest of the car.  It's difficult to "feel" the whole car.  The gallardo had this awesome switch that raised the front end of the car so you could go into driveways and gas stations and such.  No luck here.  And no I didn't scrape the front, sheesh.  Also, I kind of think this car makes me look like an asshole.  OK OK, I know, the other cars, but this one seems to scream hairy chested 50 year old playboy.  I guess I'm an enthusiast and honestly don't care that much but still.  Steering is spot on but theres a light vibration in the wheel I didn't care for.  The transmission is great and a lot like the gallardo.  Strange thing is, the "Boom" that comes when the blower opens up (That's a TOTAL guess I have no idea what it's from) goes off randomly at 3,500 rpm just like the Gallardo.  You can be driving along at say 75 and every 80 seconds or so it goes boom for a sec.  No idea why but normally that's just for acceleration on the F430.  I didn't like that.  You guys are going to think I'm crazy but there's no way I'd own this car.  Heck, I was more impressed with the Z'06 than this thing.  Definate thumbs down.
I'll try to add more later.
P.S. Seriously, this car is silly.  Overpowered and under engineered.  Whereas I was applauding Audi when I had the Gallardo Spyder I was cursing them in this car.  This car makes most sense sitting in a collection and driven once every few months for kicks than it does for even weekend driving.
P.S.S. Audi R8 is next if I can get my hands on one.  Having a little trouble.  One guy offered me his for a week in trade for the 250GT.  My response was "uh no".  Guy was on drugs or something.  I'll find one sooner or later.  Going to trade the GT for it for a few weeks if I can find someone.
P.S.S.S. Never happier to get back into my M45!!!

Kinda reminds me why I will probably own another mustang (to a lesser extent) and would never seriously consider owning a Lotus.  But nice review!

on a side note, I think its P.P.P.S. for post post post script, not post script script script

Trin, thanks for the write up.... I will never be in the position to buy such a beast but if I ever am...hehehe I know what to look for...

the LP640 is the newest murci.... 640 stands for stock HP....hehehehehe

I wanna see the flux-capacitors on the LP640... you have any pics?