The Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 Roadster Versace is one of the rarest and most theatrical versions of Lamborghini’s last pre-Aventador V12 flagship. It combines the LP640’s 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12, all-wheel drive, scissor doors, and open-air drama with a fashion-led Versace interior and Ad Personam detailing. The result is not a faster Murciélago, but a more collectible and specification-sensitive one.
For buyers, the important point is simple: value depends less on the basic LP640 hardware and more on authenticity, documentation, mileage, original Versace-specific trim, accessories, and condition. For enthusiasts, the appeal is just as clear. This is a loud, wide, old-school Lamborghini Roadster from the final generation before the Aventador made the V12 car more digital, more rigid, and more corporate. The Versace Roadster captures the Murciélago at its most extravagant.
Table of Contents
- Why the LP640 Versace Roadster Matters
- V12 Specs, Chassis, and Performance Data
- Production, Identity, and Versace Details
- Design, Engineering, and Signature Features
- Driving Feel, Speed, and Roadster Character
- Maintenance Risks and Specialist Care
- Market Values and Buying Checklist
Why the LP640 Versace Roadster Matters
The Murciélago LP 640 Roadster Versace matters because it sits at the meeting point of three collectible themes: the last era of the old Lamborghini V12, the open Murciélago body, and a documented fashion-house collaboration. It is not merely an LP640 with unusual trim; it is a low-volume, Ad Personam-style statement car from the period when Lamborghini was reshaping itself under Audi ownership while still keeping the raw visual language that made the brand famous.
The Murciélago itself arrived as the Diablo’s successor and became the first new Lamborghini flagship developed in the Audi era. The original car kept the traditional longitudinal mid-mounted V12 layout, scissor doors, all-wheel drive, huge width, and dramatic wedge profile. The LP640 update brought the car closer to the end of its life, but it also made it sharper, stronger, and more usable. The “LP” stands for “Longitudinale Posteriore,” referring to the engine’s longitudinal rear-mid position, while “640” refers to its headline power output.
The Roadster version added another layer of drama. It was heavier and less structurally pure than the coupe, but it gave the V12 a more direct route to the driver’s ears. In a car already defined by noise, heat, width, and visual aggression, removing the roof turned the Murciélago into something even more theatrical.
The Versace edition pushed that theater further. Lamborghini and Versace used the car as a luxury object as much as a performance machine. The key ingredients were the pastel white body presentation, Greek key motif, two-tone leather, special embroidery, Versace plaques, and matching accessories on some cars. This makes originality more important than it would be on a normal LP640 Roadster.
Today, the Versace Roadster attracts two different kinds of interest. Lamborghini collectors see it as a rare factory-linked special from the Murciélago generation. Fashion and design collectors see it as a rolling collaboration between two Italian luxury brands. Enthusiasts see it as a 640 hp V12 Lamborghini from the last years before dual-clutch gearboxes, hybrid systems, active-aero software, and more filtered supercar behavior became normal.
The car’s collectibility rests on scarcity, but scarcity alone is not enough. The strongest examples have clear provenance, original trim, consistent serial or plaque information, factory correspondence, proper service history, and evidence that the Versace-specific pieces have not been altered, removed, or poorly retrimmed.
V12 Specs, Chassis, and Performance Data
The LP640 Roadster Versace uses the same core mechanical package as the standard Murciélago LP640 Roadster: a 6,496 cc naturally aspirated V12, all-wheel drive, and a six-speed gearbox. Its special value comes from specification and presentation rather than from a unique engine tune.
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model year covered | 2008 |
| Internal project code | L147 Murciélago family |
| Body style | Two-seat open Roadster |
| Engine | 6,496 cc 60-degree V12 |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Construction | Aluminum block and heads |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing |
| Fuel system | Multipoint sequential fuel injection |
| Power | 640 hp at 8,000 rpm |
| Torque | 660 Nm at 6,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Six-speed E-Gear automated manual on known Versace Roadster examples; six-speed manual available on standard LP640 Roadster |
| Drivetrain | Permanent all-wheel drive with viscous traction system |
| Steering | Power-assisted rack and pinion |
| Suspension | Double wishbones with anti-roll bars and electronically controlled dampers |
| Brakes | Ventilated disc brakes; carbon-ceramic brakes available on LP640 models |
| Published weight | About 1,665 kg |
| Wheelbase | 2,665 mm |
| Width | About 2,058 mm |
| Height | About 1,132 mm |
| Top speed | About 330 km/h / 205 mph |
| 0–60 mph | About 3.3 seconds |
The engine is the heart of the car. It is not turbocharged, not hybridized, and not tuned to hide its mechanical character. It makes power through displacement, revs, airflow, and the long development life of Lamborghini’s V12 architecture. Compared with the earlier 6.2-liter Murciélago, the LP640’s 6.5-liter engine brought more power, more torque, and a harder top-end personality.
The gearbox is important for both driving feel and value. The E-Gear transmission is an automated single-clutch manual. It is not a torque-converter automatic and not a modern dual-clutch gearbox. It uses clutch hardware and shift actuation controlled by hydraulics and electronics. When healthy and correctly adjusted, it suits the LP640’s drama. When neglected, it can feel jerky, wear clutches quickly, and become expensive to sort.
The all-wheel-drive system gives the Roadster traction that a 640 hp rear-drive car of this era would not have offered. It does not make the Murciélago small or easy, but it helps the car deploy its power with less wheelspin and more high-speed stability. The tradeoff is complexity, weight, and a driving feel that is more planted than delicate.
The chassis reflects Lamborghini’s transition period. It is not a modern carbon monocoque like the Aventador. It uses a tubular structure and carbon-fiber body elements, which means accident inspection is essential. Correct panel fit, door operation, underbody condition, roof hardware, and suspension pick-up points matter more than cosmetic shine.
Production, Identity, and Versace Details
The safest way to judge a Versace Roadster is by documents and original equipment, not by internet production claims alone. The broader Murciélago LP640 Versace series is commonly described as a 20-car run across body styles, while specialist references often state that the Roadster version itself was produced in extremely tiny numbers.
This creates a buyer’s first rule: verify the exact car. A genuine Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace should be supported by more than a seller’s description. It should have factory or dealer paperwork, Ad Personam records where available, serial or plaque evidence, consistent VIN history, period photographs, and service records that match the claimed identity.
What separates the Versace Roadster
The Versace Roadster is mechanically close to a standard LP640 Roadster, but visually and materially different. The important identifying areas include:
- Pastel white exterior presentation on the launch specification.
- Versace Greek key motif on the lower door area.
- Full-grain soft Nappa leather in black and white.
- Hand-embroidered Versace Greek fret detailing.
- Special treatment of the seats, dashboard, door panels, and center console.
- Versace or Gianni Versace plaques on documented cars.
- Transparent engine cover, a major visual feature of the edition.
- Matching Versace accessories or luggage on some examples.
Those details matter because they are difficult and costly to recreate correctly. A retrimmed interior may look fresh but reduce collector confidence if it is not supported by factory documentation. A car missing its original accessories can still be desirable, but it should not be valued like a complete, fully documented example.
Transmission and market identity
Most public Versace Roadster material points toward E-Gear examples. This matters because regular LP640 Roadsters with factory manual gearboxes sit in a separate market. A manual Murciélago LP640 Roadster is extremely desirable, but a Versace Roadster should not be assumed to be manual unless the car’s build documentation proves it.
For buyers, this means three separate questions must be answered:
- Is it a genuine LP640 Roadster?
- Is it a genuine Versace edition?
- Are the Versace-specific parts, documentation, and accessories original to this car?
A positive answer to only the first question makes it a valuable Lamborghini. A positive answer to all three makes it a far more serious collector candidate.
Factory and market documentation to request
A strong file should include:
- Original sales invoice or dealer delivery paperwork.
- VIN and build information from Lamborghini or an authorized dealer.
- Ad Personam or special-order documentation.
- Service invoices from recognized Lamborghini specialists.
- Photos showing the car before any restoration or retrim.
- Records for clutch wear readings on E-Gear cars.
- Recall completion records.
- Ownership history with dates and mileage.
- Accessory inventory, including luggage, books, tools, keys, and plaques.
The best cars are easy to explain. If the story needs too many excuses, missing paperwork, or “believed to be” language, the price should reflect that risk.
Design, Engineering, and Signature Features
The Versace Roadster’s design appeal comes from contrast: brutal Lamborghini proportions combined with fashion-house detailing. The car is still a Murciélago first, but the Versace treatment changes how people read it.
The Murciélago’s basic shape is low, wide, and angular. The scissor doors, deep side intakes, short nose, and long rear deck make it instantly recognizable. The LP640 update added sharper front and rear treatment, a more aggressive rear diffuser area, a central exhaust outlet, and revised side intake behavior. On the Roadster, the exposed cockpit makes the car feel even wider and more dramatic.
The Versace details soften none of that. Instead, they add a layer of luxury presentation over a very mechanical supercar. The Greek key motif works because it is graphic and architectural, not floral or delicate. It suits the car’s hard lines better than a more ornate pattern would.
Transparent engine cover
The transparent engine cover is one of the most important Versace Roadster details. It turns the V12 into part of the exterior design. On a normal mid-engine supercar, the engine is a component. On this car, it becomes part of the theater.
For inspection, the transparent cover should be checked for clarity, fit, heat damage, seal condition, scratches, latch alignment, and evidence of replacement. Replacement or refinishing is not automatically a problem, but undocumented changes matter on a low-volume edition.
Interior craftsmanship
The interior is where the Versace identity carries the most weight. A normal LP640 cabin already feels dramatic, with a low seating position, high sills, wide console, and small glass area. The Versace edition adds material richness through stitched Nappa leather, contrast treatment, motifs, and plaques.
The danger for buyers is that interiors age. White leather can discolor, dark leather can shrink or harden, and stitching can become dirty or damaged. Because the interior is central to the car’s identity, a worn but original interior may be more valuable than a fresh but incorrect retrim. The decision depends on condition, documentation, and the quality of any work performed.
Roadster roof and body structure
The Murciélago Roadster was never a casual convertible in the modern sense. Its roof arrangement is part of the car’s exotic character, but it is not as convenient as a folding hardtop or powered fabric roof. Buyers should inspect the roof panel, seals, storage hardware, latch points, weathering, and evidence of water entry.
Roadster body rigidity also deserves attention. The car is powerful, wide, and heavy, and many examples have lived low-mileage but hard-use lives. Creaks, inconsistent panel gaps, uneven tire wear, or strange alignment data can point to accident history or poor setup.
Driving Feel, Speed, and Roadster Character
The LP640 Roadster Versace feels fast, loud, heavy, wide, and physical. It is not a modern supercar that shrinks around the driver; it constantly reminds you that you are managing a large V12 Lamborghini.
The engine dominates the experience. At low rpm, it has weight and torque, but the car becomes more exciting as the revs climb. The V12 hardens, the intake and exhaust become more metallic, and the final part of the rev range gives the car its real character. Because there are no turbos smoothing the delivery, throttle response feels direct and mechanical.
The E-Gear transmission is part of the period feel. In gentle driving, it can be clumsy compared with a modern dual-clutch gearbox. In fast driving, with the throttle and timing handled properly, it gives hard, dramatic shifts that match the car’s personality. A badly adjusted E-Gear car can feel much worse than a healthy one, so buyers should not judge the whole model from one poor example.
Steering effort and feedback are old-school by modern supercar standards. The car does not feel light or playful, but it communicates enough to let the driver sense front-end load and road texture. The width is always present. Narrow roads, tight city streets, ramps, and parking garages require patience.
The brakes are strong when maintained correctly, but brake feel depends heavily on the installed hardware and condition. Carbon-ceramic brakes can be expensive to replace and must be inspected carefully for wear, cracks, hardware condition, and recall completion where relevant. Steel brakes are less exotic but still need serious attention because the car is heavy and fast.
Ride quality is firm but not unbearable. The car was built before supercars became as broadly usable as they are today, so noise, heat, low-speed driveline behavior, and visibility are all part of the experience. The Roadster amplifies the best and worst parts. It makes the V12 more immediate, but it also increases wind noise and puts more attention on roof seals, cabin turbulence, and chassis shake.
For real-world use, the Murciélago is happiest on open roads where its width is not a constant problem. It feels special at ordinary speeds because the seating position, view over the front arches, and sound all make normal driving feel ceremonial. On track, it is fast but expensive to use hard. Tire, brake, clutch, and cooling demands rise quickly, and the car’s value makes careless track use difficult to justify.
Maintenance Risks and Specialist Care
The Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace should be maintained like a collector-grade exotic, not like a normal used convertible. The car can be robust when serviced correctly, but age, low use, heat, hydraulics, and neglected specialist work can create major bills.
The engine itself is not the only cost center. Many expensive problems come from surrounding systems: clutch actuation, cooling, electronics, fuel system components, suspension hardware, tires, brakes, roof parts, and damaged trim. On a Versace car, interior and accessory preservation can be as important as mechanical work.
Known ownership risk areas
| Area | What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| E-Gear clutch and hydraulics | Clutch wear reading, engagement quality, pump behavior, actuator leaks, calibration history | Clutch and actuator work can be expensive, and poor setup makes the car unpleasant to drive |
| Fuel system | Recall completion, fuel smell, tank and pump area, hose condition | Some 2007–2008 Murciélago models were affected by a fuel tank-related recall |
| Carbon-ceramic brakes | Disc condition, hardware, salt exposure history, recall records, pad wear | Replacement cost is high, and a recall covered brake rotor attaching screws on some cars |
| Cooling system | Radiators, fans, hoses, coolant age, signs of overheating | Heat management is critical in a mid-engine V12 car |
| Suspension and lift systems | Damper condition, leaks, bushings, front lift operation, alignment data | Wear or leaks affect drivability and can hide accident damage |
| Electrical system | Battery health, warning lights, module communication, alarm behavior | Low voltage and storage issues can create confusing faults |
| Roadster roof | Seals, latches, fit, storage hardware, water entry | Roadster-specific pieces can be difficult to source and costly to correct |
| Versace interior | Leather condition, stitching, plaques, embroidery, originality | The special interior is central to the car’s collector value |
Service habits that protect value
Annual servicing matters even if the car covers very little mileage. Fluids age, seals dry, tires expire, batteries weaken, and fuel systems do not like long storage. A collector car that has traveled only a few hundred miles in several years may need more sorting than one driven regularly by a careful owner.
Good ownership practice includes:
- Keeping the car on a proper battery maintainer.
- Replacing tires by age as well as tread depth.
- Exercising the car enough to keep seals and hydraulics working.
- Warming the engine fully before hard use.
- Avoiding repeated clutch-slipping maneuvers in traffic.
- Keeping all service invoices, even for small work.
- Photographing original Versace trim before any restoration.
- Using Lamborghini specialists familiar with Murciélago systems.
Avoid cheap cosmetic fixes. Incorrect leather, non-original stitching, aftermarket audio cutting, repaint without records, and missing plaques can hurt the car’s value more than normal mechanical wear. On a Versace Roadster, preservation is part of maintenance.
Recalls and campaigns
A serious buyer should run the VIN through Lamborghini and market-specific recall systems. For U.S.-market or U.S.-imported cars, two recall areas deserve special attention: the 2007–2008 fuel tank issue and the carbon-ceramic brake rotor attaching screw issue on certain 2006–2010 Murciélago models fitted with those brakes.
Completed recalls should be documented, not assumed. If the seller says the work was done, ask for the invoice, dealer record, or manufacturer confirmation.
Market Values and Buying Checklist
The Versace Roadster sits above the normal LP640 Roadster market when it is genuine, complete, documented, and original. The challenge is that public sales are rare, so one auction result or one asking price should not be treated as the whole market.
Ordinary E-Gear LP640 Roadsters usually occupy a lower price band than manual LP640 Roadsters. Manual cars have become especially desirable because they combine the open Murciélago body with a traditional gated-shift experience from the final years of the analog Lamborghini V12. The Versace Roadster is different. It is not valued mainly as a manual-transmission prize; it is valued as a limited factory-linked design collaboration.
A realistic buying approach is to separate the market into three layers:
| Type of Car | Value Driver | Buyer Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Standard LP640 Roadster E-Gear | Condition, mileage, service history, color, brake specification | Mechanical sorting costs and clutch wear |
| Standard LP640 Roadster manual | Transmission rarity, originality, provenance, mileage | Overpaying for a poorly documented or converted car |
| LP640 Roadster Versace | Authenticity, Versace trim, accessories, documentation, originality | Missing special parts, retrimmed interiors, unclear production identity |
For a Versace Roadster, the best example is not simply the lowest-mileage car. It is the car with the strongest story and the fewest questions. A delivery-mileage car with dried tires, old fluids, weak hydraulics, and missing accessories may need expensive recommissioning. A slightly used, properly maintained car with complete documentation may be the better long-term purchase.
Examples to seek
Look for cars with:
- Clear proof of Versace edition status.
- Original interior materials and plaques.
- Matching accessories, luggage, books, tools, keys, and covers.
- Full Lamborghini or recognized specialist service history.
- Completed recall documentation.
- Recent clutch reading and E-Gear calibration records.
- No structural damage or unexplained paintwork.
- Good roof hardware and seals.
- Period photos showing the car’s original configuration.
- A seller who understands the difference between a normal LP640 and a Versace edition.
Examples to avoid
Be cautious with cars that have:
- Missing or vague documentation.
- Recreated Versace trim without factory proof.
- Incorrect leather, stitching, badges, or plaques.
- Unexplained odometer gaps.
- Long storage with no recommissioning.
- Warning lights dismissed as “normal Lamborghini behavior.”
- Clutch wear with no plan for replacement.
- Accident history without expert repair records.
- Aftermarket electronics cut into the cabin.
- Seller claims based only on rarity hype.
The long-term outlook is strong for the best cars because the Murciélago generation has become more appreciated with time. It represents the final bridge between the raw Diablo era and the more advanced Aventador era. The LP640 is the sweet spot for many buyers because it has the larger 6.5-liter V12 and updated styling without losing the brutal personality of the original platform.
The Versace Roadster adds rarity and cultural relevance, but that also makes mistakes expensive. Buy the paperwork first, the condition second, and the mileage third. A genuine, complete, well-kept Versace Roadster is a serious collector car. A questionable one is a costly restoration project wrapped in a famous name.
References
- Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 Roadster – Technical Specifications, Pictures 2026 (Manufacturer History Page)
- 2008 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace Specifications – Ultimatecarpage.com 2008 (Specification Archive)
- May 21, 2010 MR. LANCE TUNICK NVS-215dgl … 2010 (Recall Database)
- 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 2013 (Recall Database)
- Lamborghini Murcielago Market – CLASSIC.COM 2026 (Market Data)
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, inspection, repair, valuation, or legal advice. Specifications, torque values, service intervals, recall status, procedures, equipment, and market details can vary by VIN, market, model year, and individual vehicle history. Always verify details against official Lamborghini service documentation, factory records, authorized dealer information, and a qualified specialist inspection before buying, servicing, or restoring any Murciélago LP640 Roadster Versace.
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