Lamborghini's new V12 engine

While the replacement for the much loved Murcielago is still a little while away, Lamborghini has already revealed the stonking new V12 motor that will help it rocket from Zero to Legendary in no time at all. We take a look

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The new engine and gearbox might be more compact than the earlier, but still not small by any means

We're sure everyone in the world who has even a remote inkling of passion for automobiles was heartbroken to hear Lamborghini announce the end of the venerable Murcielago last year. This feeling was, of course, short lived when rumors and soon spy shots of a replacement bull to take up the reigns as the Italian supercar maker's flagship model began circulating the interwebs. While the titillating curves of what will surely grace bedroom posters of the next generation of car lovers haven't been revealed as of yet, the monstrous all-new V12 engine that will form the heart of this beast has just been revealed for all to behold. But this does mean that the engine that served diligently in the Murcielago is on its way out as well and it really doesn't seem fair to talk about the new motor before saying a few words about the one it'll be replacing.

The 6.5-litre V12 engine which was in the Murcielago has its roots in the 3.5-litre 60-degree V12 that originally debuted in Lamborghini's first car, the 350GT. Surprisingly, apart from a change from carburetion to fuel-injection and in increase in cubic capacity, there have been few changes in the engine block in its 47 year history. In fact, this wholly remarkable engine has powered all the baddest bulls from Sant'Agata Bolognese - the Miura, the Countach, the Diablo and the Murcielago, not to mention one the most outrageous SUVs ever made, the Lamborghini LM002.

The little badge shows the firing order of the twelve cylinder