Lamborghini unwraps new 6.5L V12 engine, ISR gearbox

Lamborghini unwraps new 6.5L V12 engine, ISR gearbox
UPDATE: More info and video added!

The V12 engine and Lamborghini are inseparable; all poster favourites from the Miura to the Countach and Diablo had one behind the seats. These black and white images are of Lamborghini’s all new V12 engine and automated manual gearbox, essentially the heart of the Murciélago successor that’s due next year. Just like the cars from Sant’Agata, be prepared for some dramatic descriptions.

Codenamed L539, the naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12’s 700 hp is made at 8,250 rpm while 690 Nm max torque is achieved at 5,500 rpm, 500 revs lower than present. It may be high revving with “highly emotional acoustics” but the V12 will also have “a well-rounded torque curve, beefy pulling power and incredibly spontaneous responsiveness”. Compared to the current V12, the L539 has an increased bore (88 mm to 95 mm) but a reduced stroke (89 mm to 76.4 mm). Compression ratio is up to 11.8:1 from 11:1. No direct injection for now.

Lamborghini unwraps new 6.5L V12 engine, ISR gearbox

Developed “from a clean sheet of paper” the 60 degree V12 will be hand built in Sant’Agata Bolognese. To reduce weight (it’s 18 kg lighter at 235 kg), the crankcase and the four-valve cylinder heads are made from aluminum-silicon alloy. The short-stroke layout ensures high-revving performance and low internal friction, with good thermal management (two switchable water circuits for rapid warm-up) and oil circulation (dry-sump lubrication with eight scavenging pumps) to back up.

There also a complex intake system with four individual throttle valves, where air flows through two flaps, several channels and one bypass. The exhaust system is said to deliver a “spine-tingling Lamborghini sound”. It’s a three-into-one system with two separate mufflers – one low-volume, one high-volume – regulated by ECU controlled valves.

Lamborghini unwraps new 6.5L V12 engine, ISR gearbox

The new V12’s perfect mate is the new 7-speed ISR transmission, designed for “the world’s most emotional gearshift feel”. Shift times for this single clutch ‘box are quick – 40% faster than the Gallardo’s e.gear and almost 50% less than dual-clutch unit, says Lambo – thanks to the ISR (Independent Shifting Rod). Instead of taking place in series, as with a conventional gearbox, shifting can occur virtually in parallel. While one shifting rod is moving out of one gear, the second shifting rod can already engage the next. It’s faster because both actions partially overlap and the mechanical distance is shorter as it bypasses neutral.

There are four ISRs in the gearbox, controlled via hydraulic actuators. The double-plate clutch is also hydraulically actuated. Synchronizing rings are made from carbonfibre. The ISR box’ low weight of 70 kg also compares favourably with twin-clutch units. Three modes are available: Strada (with full auto shift shifting, if you want), Sport and the most hardcore Corsa with launch control.

Looks like the Murciélago successor will be very well equipped to be the top bull in the supercar ring! Gallery and a video after the jump.

[zenphotopress number=999 album=1696]

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Paul Tan on Nov 16, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    Nice, is that the firing order of the cylinders on the plaque?

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    • Danny Tan (Member) on Nov 16, 2010 at 5:02 pm

      Yup! According to Google Translate, it is :)

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    • Ferruccio on Nov 16, 2010 at 5:38 pm

      Thanks for the images. Delicious! Yes thats firing order. Lambo V12 engines have their firing order very clearly displayed.

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  • Need4SpeedUnderground on Nov 16, 2010 at 5:11 pm

    6.5L V12 engine … what a masterpiece …

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  • Mayonaise on Nov 16, 2010 at 5:12 pm

    God, just the engine and gearbox alone is already oozing with so much sexiness…

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  • lamboboy on Nov 16, 2010 at 5:13 pm

    1–12–4–9–2–11-6–7–3–10–5–8 is the new 1–7–4–10–2–8–6–12–3–9–5–11

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  • Jaybond on Nov 16, 2010 at 5:14 pm

    Looks like Lambo could be the first of the big guns to reach the 700 bhp barrier for their base flagship model (not taking into account special editions/track specials). Would be interesting to see Ferrari’s or Porsche’s response to this..

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    • junaidi on Nov 16, 2010 at 10:33 pm

      alamak, then the Veyron how la?

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      • lonsdale on Nov 17, 2010 at 12:45 pm

        That thing using w16 quad turbo la brader. This thing only N/A. There are soo much different for the turborcharge and N/A. Apparaaaa! :D

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  • Ferruccio on Nov 16, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    Paul, can you tell us more about this ‘ISR’ gearbox. The marketing material imply that it is not ‘dual clutch’ system. The description implies that its like the seamless gearbox types used in F1 where the gears ‘chase’ each other to achieve seamless shifts. Has 2 selector barrels. One for even gears, the other for odd numbered gears. This is what some F1 teams especially the lower end teams are using. The leaders use a different selector mechanism to achieve seamless shifts

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  • shawal on Nov 16, 2010 at 6:19 pm

    Can’t wait to hear it scream1

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  • toyoottt on Nov 16, 2010 at 6:31 pm

    IF this lambo sell to me RM10k,, im still cant affod to pay annual road tax.. sigh..

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  • LAMBORGHINI once owned by Malaysia on Nov 16, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    yeah.. u heard it right.. LAMBORGHINI once owned by Malaysia but because cannot tahan asia economic crisis then sold it to the Germans..

    if not Malaysia can have this kind of crazy engine already for Malaysia automotive industry.. what to do.. typical malaysian only have short-thinking.. just know to bash without thinking proper solution.

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    • Ferruccio on Nov 16, 2010 at 9:09 pm

      What is wrong with you buddy?

      Yes they were owned by a Malaysia-Indonesia consortium and yes they sold it to Audi for a reported sum of USD100m. These are facts.

      The rest of what you wrote was pure delusional ‘BS’

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      • so it was bought by Audi before Audi itself was bought by Volkswagen eh?

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      • Ferruccio on Nov 17, 2010 at 8:59 am

        Audi was already owned by VW but the sale deal with Lambo was between Audi and Lambo. I think it was the best thing to happen to Lambo after Ferruccio Lamborghini (thats me.. ahem) left the company in the 70s. The company was constantly on the verge of going bust since then and ownership changed hands constantly with no real stability and strong vision.

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    • yeah, I heard that before, that is – Singapore. That’s like saying if Malaysia never allowed Singapore to leave the ‘union’, then we could have been as successful as Singapore.

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  • balloon on Nov 16, 2010 at 7:49 pm

    beautiful …. what an engine .. i am sure none of the mechanics out here in malaysia and fix it .. look’s complicated

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  • Diablo on Nov 16, 2010 at 9:12 pm

    Can fix. Don’t underestimate Malaysian mechanics :) Current modern Lambos are being maintained without any fuss. At the end of the day, an engine is always still an engine after removing all the electronics. And whatever is new any engine can be dealt with with proper service manuals and updated diagnostic tools. Not rocket science.

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    • almostthere on Nov 17, 2010 at 1:34 am

      Agree with you diablo. GT Auto Sunway is maintaining a Diablo VT making sure it’s at top tune

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    • Diablo on Nov 17, 2010 at 8:50 am

      Yup. And Tedco Sports in Segambut did a major engine job on the very rare Diablo SE30. They maintain various other rare old and new exotics. There was also a classic Lamborghini Espada in the shop. I’m sure there are other shops doing something similar

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  • Ferruccio on Nov 17, 2010 at 1:37 am

    Closer look at images reveal that this V12 is not direct injected. Quite impressed that they churned out 700hp from this 6.5L V12 whilst still meeting the usual production engine durability requirements.

    The gearbox is interesting and fresh as it is not dual clutch and shares seamless shift technology used in F1.

    We’ll have to wait and hear reviews on this car’s driveability. May turn out to be quite raw

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  • Ferruccio on Nov 17, 2010 at 2:22 am

    Another good thing they have maintained in this new V12 is the engine+gearbox layout. Lambo V12 are ‘reversed’ (front pulleys facing rear)in its orientation since the days of Countach and with the gearbox positioned towards the front of the car unlike conventional mid engine layout like the Gallardo.

    This orientation gives better weight distribution and improved polar moment of inertia.

    Good to see they’ve stuck to the Countach/Diablo/Murcie basic DNA

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  • austin_cipan on Nov 17, 2010 at 7:15 am

    Independent shifting rod? rather kinky I suppose…!!!

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  • TurboMan on Nov 17, 2010 at 8:10 am

    Nice engines. However im concerned abt the reliability of those engines.

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  • is it direct injected???

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    • Diablo on Nov 17, 2010 at 3:05 pm

      It’s not direct injected they it was reported that they did consider it

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  • bohtakchek on Nov 18, 2010 at 7:20 am

    No downsizing the engine?? …didn’t follow the sesto elemento cue in reducing engine weight?? …

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    • Ferruccio on Nov 18, 2010 at 3:34 pm

      The displacement (cc) remains the same as the previous V12 – 6.5L. However if you read the article you’ll understand that everything has been lightened. Engine, gearbox, chassis

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  • akmal on Nov 18, 2010 at 10:43 am

    who made the video?first it was boring,after repeating showing the same parts,after that they show monster full of wires,

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  • How fast is the shifting speed? Fast than DSG ‘s 8ms or what?

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  • Diablo on Nov 19, 2010 at 11:43 am

    Lambo is claiming 50% faster shift than comparable dual-clutch type boxes. Since within the family they have the VW DSG (Audi S-Tronic) box I’m assuming they are referring to that as comparison.

    I understand the rough description gearbox’s concept and would not be surprised if it is as fast they claim it to be but I wonder whether the shift’s will be smooth enough for a road car. Clever engine Torque mgmt of course can manage it but the e-gear in some Gallardo variants were hard in shifting.

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