Lambo Navarra concept takes wing
Lockheed Martin designer conjures up a Lamborghini concept that's cutting-edge, yet steeped in historyLamborghini's Murcielago flagship is now well and truly on its last legs, and Lockheed Martin designer Adam Denning has provided his take on the direction the supercar's successor could take via these sketches of the "Navarra" concept.
It's fitting that the renderings have been penned by a designer from the aviation industry, as the hallowed Italian brand's mega-exclusive Reventon was inspired by the F-22 Raptor fighter jet -- dripping aggression with its sharp-edged beak.
Denning also has a strong Italian connection as his CV includes a masters degree in automotive design from Milan's Scuola Politecnica di Design.
Explaining his rationale behind the concept, Denning said: "I tried to imagine all the V12 flagships of the brand from the Miura to the Murcielago, and then create a car that would look like it not only belonged in this group, but that it was the result of these cars as well.
"I was very inspired by Michelangelo's La Pietà. The way Mary's garments flow down and fold over each other was the main inspiration for the Navarra's overlapping surfaces and organic shapes."
His carbonfibre vision rides on a longer wheelbase than that of the Murcielago, even though it's a fraction shorter overall.
As striking as the Navarra concept is, it wasn't officially commissioned by Lamborghini, and the company is likely to have already put the finishing touches to its upcoming Murcielago replacement, which may be known as the "Jota" (in honour of Bob Wallace's 1970s Miura Jota test mule).
Word around the traps is that the new-age supercar will ditch the Murcielago's heavy steel structure and instead make extensive use of aluminium and carbonfibre composites. This would be consistent with Lambo CEO Stephan Winkelmann's stated goal of focusing more on weight reduction than ramping up power.
Although yet to be confirmed, it's believed the Murcielago successor will retain V12 power (albeit with direct injection) and all-wheel drive, although the current car's scissor doors may be consigned to the scrap heap.
Speculation has it the new supercar (likely to debut at the Paris motor show) will weigh under 1500kg and sprint to 100km/h in the low-3sec bracket.
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