Driving a Lamborghini was a dream that quickly turned into a nightmare for an unidentified couple who crashed, then abandoned a $220,000 631-hp 2008 Murcielago alongside the freeway in La Jolla, CA., late Monday night.
According to a police report, “the Lamborghini still had its paperwork from the purchase from a dealership 80 miles away a few hours earlier, showing the name of the owner, but authorities have not said whether they believe the owner was driving at the time.”
Witnesses stated that the car had been speeding before swiping a median; a man and woman were seen running from the car. According to Fox 5 News in San Diego the driver could face a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge when found.
Lamborghinis do not offer the stability control systems that are available in lower-priced consumer vehicles, and even with all-wheel-drive, the typical Lamborghini has a 12-valve engine and a manual transmission that requires “a fine touch to maximize power.” In fact, new owners should take time to familiarize themselves with the unique intricacies of the car, including its low to the ground body (for better aerodynamics), and shallower window angles than other sports cars in its class, meant to prevent wind shear, etc.
In fact, most experts suggest they that novice drivers locate a test track where they can test out the paddle-shift transmission before venturing out on the open road. This semi-automatic transmission allows operators to “demand a shift in gears from the engine, with the vehicle responding through a system of sensors,” and takes a lot of getting used to.
To learn more, try contacting Laborghini USA (a subsidiary of Autombili Lamborghini SpA), 7601 Centurion Pkey., Jacksonville, FL 32256 904 565-9100 www.lamborghini.com
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