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The Bulls of Lamborghini

November 27, 2026 through January 3, 2027

This winter, the Great Hall of the Louwman Museum transforms into an arena for the untamed bulls of Automobili Lamborghini. This one-off retrospective showcases a collection of era-defining models that together tell the story of more than six decades of uncompromising Italian design, innovation and sheer fighting spirit.


De oorsprong van het merk leest als een legende: getriggerd door een meningsverschil met Enzo Ferrari besloot tractorbouwer Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963 zelf de ultieme gran turismo te ontwikkelen. Sindsdien koos het merk met de aanvallende stier steevast de frontale aanval. Een bewogen geschiedenis volgde, waarin Lamborghini keer op keer de conventies van de autowereld doorbrak en de grenzen van de supercar herdefinieerde.


In close collaboration with Automobili Lamborghini and Lamborghini Nederland, the museum showcases this remarkable evolution through fifteen landmark models. The journey begins with the original model, the elegant 350 GT, and takes visitors past revolutionary icons such as the curvaceous Miura, the futuristic Countach and the imposing LM002. There is also plenty of attention devoted to raw, track-bred machines, including the legendary SV versions of the Murciélago and Aventador, alongside contemporary technological masterpieces such as the Essenza SCV12 and the Revuelto.

350 GT

What a hefty transmission bill led to. Tractor manufacturer Ferruccio Lamborghini was so frustrated by the high cost of a new gearbox that, after being insulted by Enzo Ferrari, he decided to build his own sports car. Within two years, his first sports coupé was a reality. The 350 GT laid the foundation for the brand we know today. Respected engineer Bizzarrini developed the V12 engine, while master designers Carrozzeria Touring penned the bodywork. The factory was built a stone’s throw from Ferrari, in Sant’Agata Bolognese.

  • Name: The engine displacement (3.5 liters), followed by the abbreviation for Gran Turismo
  • Family tree: V12 GT family
  • Successor: 400 GT
  • Production run: 1964-1966
  • Production volume: 120 units

Ferruccio Lamborghini made his debut as a car manufacturer with the 350 GT, but a year before its launch, the Italian had already unveiled a design study, the 350 GTV. That concept car appeared at the Turin Motor Show in 1963. Although the public thought the sports coupé was ready for production, its engine did not yet exist. It was still being developed. The bonnet of the 350 GTV therefore remained firmly shut throughout the motor show, not least because stones had been placed in the front to keep the nose down in the absence of the heavy V12 engine.

  • Top speed: 254 km/h
  • Acceleration: 6.8 sec.
  • Engine: 3.5 V12, 280 hp
  • Unladen weight: 1050KG

Miura

With the Miura, Lamborghini shook the sports car world to its foundations. The marque was just two years old and had only built GTs. The Miura was its first true sports car—and what a car it was! Its styling was sensational. The flowing bodywork with its distinctively styled lights, large engine cover and transversely mounted V12 engine between the axles were revolutionary. A year before the model's launch, Lamborghini had already displayed a rolling chassis at the 1965 Turin Motor Show. Enthusiasts placed orders based on the specifications on display, even though the design had yet to be revealed. In fact, no bodywork even existed yet. The design was only finished a few days before the opening of the 1966 Geneva Motor Show. At that point, nobody knew whether the engine would even fit under the bodywork. The prototype made its debut without an engine.

  • Name: Named after Don Eduardo Miura, a breeder of aggressive bulls
  • Family tree: V12 family
  • Production run: 1966–1973
  • Production volume: 764, including 275 P400s

It wasn't Ferruccio Lamborghini who commissioned the development of the Miura. Engineers Giampaolo Dallara, Paolo Stanzani and Bob Wallace started the project in their spare time. The prototype was named the P400. Their goal was to develop a road car with racing DNA. When darkness fell outside, the lights stayed on inside. This was how the Miura took shape, without the three men knowing whether the project would ever reach production. When they brought Ferruccio Lamborghini on board, he immediately gave the supercar the green light. The engineers were given free rein. The result was a sports coupé that once again stunned the world.

  • Top speed: 263 km/h
  • Acceleration: 6.7 sec.
  • Engine: 3.9 V12, 350 hp
  • Unladen weight: 1292 KG

Espada

A low-slung profile with a roofline to match, a long body and a design that blends elegance with sportiness. Combined with four full-sized seats and a decent luggage compartment, these qualities give the Espada its distinctive character. A true sporting grand tourer measuring 4.74 metres from bumper to bumper, it is powered by a potent V12 engine that lets its four occupants experience speeds in excess of 240 km/h. Lamborghini offered the model in three versions, known as Series, distinguished by changes to various details.

  • Name: Named after the bullfighter's sword
  • Family tree: V12 GT family
  • Predecessor: 400 GT 2+2
  • Production period: 1968-1978
  • Production volume: 1217 units

Lamborghini introduced upward-opening doors with the Countach, but designer Gandini, working for Bertone, had experimented with the concept years earlier for the Espada. The four-seat sports coupé was to have a door with two hinges in the centre of the roof. Ferruccio Lamborghini, who had once owned a Mercedes 300 SL, did not think it was right for the Espada.

  • Top speed: 245 km/h
  • Acceleration: 6.5 sec.
  • Motor: 3.9 V12, 325 PK
  • Unladen weight: 1480 KG

Countach

Countach! That was the reaction of one of those present when the design study for a new Lamborghini was unveiled for the first time. In the region around Bertone’s design studio, the word means ‘wow’. The sports coupé, codenamed L112, still turns heads today. The bold bodywork of this low-slung yet wide sports coupé is defined by sharp angles and straight lines. Despite the wide body, the two seats sit close together. To make getting in and out easier when parallel parked, the designer came up with upward-opening doors, a feature that would appear on all subsequent V12-powered sports cars. Development began in 1970, with the market launch following in 1974. After a series of mechanical and styling updates across various editions, the last example left the factory in 1990.

  • Name: WOW, in an Italian dialect 
  • Production run: 1974-1990
  • Predecessor: Miurà
  • Production volume: 2049 units, including 157 Periscopio

The very first examples of the Countach earned a nickname: Periscopio, Italian for periscope. In the early years of production, a tunnel built into the roof served as a viewing channel. Looking in the rear-view mirror gave you a view over the roof towards the rear. Lamborghini only used this feature on early examples of the LP400. Later, the Countach was given a flat roof, and the rear-view mirror offered a view through the rear window instead. Visibility was terrible, partly because of the small rear window, not to mention the optional rear wing. Many drivers sit on the door sill when reversing and look back over the rear of the car.

  • Top speed: 290 km/h
  • Acceleration: 5.4 sec.
  • Engine: 3.9 V12, 375 hp
  • Unladen weight: 1200 KG

Silhouette

In 1974, Lamborghini’s new Swiss owners saw more potential in two-seater sports cars than in 2+2 models, leading to the development of the Silhouette from the four-seater Urraco. It was not a great success. With just 52 built, the model is rarer than many of Lamborghini’s limited-run specials today. The Silhouette was designed by Bertone. Its removable roof panel above the two seats was a first for a series-production Lamborghini. The panel could be stowed behind the seats. The V8 model was in production for just three years. It was succeeded by the Jalpa, which featured almost identical bodywork.

  • Name: The design was reminiscent of the aggressive Group 5 Silhouette racers
  • Family tree: V8 family
  • Replacement: Jalpa
  • Production run: 1976-1979
  • Production volume: 52 units

The V8 engine is music to the ears, especially with the roof panel removed. But for those who felt otherwise, Lamborghini fitted an Alpine CM-620 radio cassette player at the factory. The speakers were located in the upper sections of the sports seats.

  • Topsnelheid: 260 KM/u
  • Acceleration: 6.5 sec.
  • Engine: 3.0 V8, 280 hp
  • Unladen weight: 1240 KG

LM002

The LM002 looks as though it has been hewn from granite: angular, robust and, above all, rugged. It is a true Lamborghini, but it was not conceived as a sports car among off-roaders. It was intended for military use, which explains the initials LM, short for Lamborghini Militaria. Built around a tubular frame with straight, flat body panels and windows, it featured the Countach’s 5.2-litre V12 engine paired with a selectable four-wheel-drive system with three differentials and low-range gearing. This tough four-seater off-roader with its large open load bed never saw military service. Every example went to a private buyer.

  • Name: Lamborghini Militaria project 2 
  • Production run: 1986-1992
  • Production volume: 300 units

An off-road behemoth that could cruise through the desert at 140 km/h with ease. That was the brief Lamborghini’s management gave its development department. Once the car was finished, the sports car maker’s executives raised the required top speed to 160 km/h. Special Pirelli tyres, 34.5 cm wide, made that possible. They featured reinforced sidewalls with a ridge to channel sand away, which helped bring their weight to a hefty 35.5 kg each. On public roads, the LM002 could even reach 210 km/h. With a 290-litre fuel tank, you didn’t have to worry about the V12 engine’s thirst at such speeds. The cost of your next fill-up, however, was another matter.

  • Top speed: 210 km/h
  • Acceleration: 7.8 sec.
  • Engine: 5.2 V12, 450 hp
  • Unladen weight: 2700 KG

Diablo SE30

To mark Automobili Lamborghini’s thirtieth anniversary, by which time the company had changed hands twice, the sports car manufacturer launched the Special Edition 30th Anniversary, or SE30 for short. It was based on the still-new Diablo, which received several modifications for the occasion. A distinctive front end, different side vents and a redesigned rear spoiler set the anniversary model apart, while under the skin it gained more than 30 extra horsepower, a special sports exhaust and revised suspension. The glass side windows were replaced with fixed Plexiglas panels, and heavy equipment such as air conditioning, the stereo and power steering was dropped to reduce weight. The SE30’s signature metallic purple paint was actually an option. Lamborghini built just 150 examples.

  • Name: Named after a fighting bull owned by the Duke of Veragua in 1869.
  • Family tree: V12 family
  • Predecessor: Countach
  • Production cycle: 1990-2001
  • Production volume: Diablo: 2,904, including 150 SE30s and 15 Jotas

Within the limited SE30 production run, there is an even more exclusive version: the SE30 Jota displayed here. The suffix refers to the Miura variant of the same name, originally conceived as a racing car built to Appendix J of the FIA regulations. In Spanish, the letter J is pronounced Jota. That car never actually raced, but the Diablo did spawn a track monster. With the Jota, a name also incorporated into Aventador SVJ, the manufacturer offered selected SE30 buyers a performance package featuring an extra 70 hp, more aggressive bodywork and aerodynamically enhanced components. Just 15 enthusiasts ordered the package from the factory, while around 13 more ordered it later.

  • Top speed: 335 km/h
  • Acceleration: 3.9 sec.
  • Engine: 5.7 V12, 595 hp
  • Unladen weight: 1450 KG

Diablo 6.0

Around eight years after production began, the Diablo underwent a major facelift—and quite literally so. The classic pop-up headlights made way for fixed units, which new owner Audi sourced, of all places, from Nissan (the 300ZX). The bumpers and rear light clusters were also redesigned. More importantly, changes under the skin significantly improved the sports car’s engineering and build quality, complemented by a revamped interior. Lamborghini increased the engine’s displacement from 5.7 to 6.0 litres, extracting 550 hp from the V12. The ‘SE’ version arrived as a farewell edition, featuring larger brakes, a choice of the ‘Oro Elios’ shown here or ‘Marrone Eklipsis’ paint colours, a close-ratio transmission and carbon fibre interior trim.

  • Name: A fighting bull from 1869. The name means devil in Spanish.
  • Family tree: V12 family
  • Predecessor: Countach
  • Production period: 1990-2001
  • Production volume: Diablo: 2,904, including 42 SEs

When Lamborghini invited Volkswagen Group executives to discuss using Audi engines in future models in 1998, that was not what the Germans had in mind. “We’re here to buy Lamborghini,” was the chief executive’s response. And so it happened. Work was already underway on the Diablo’s successor, but the new owner rejected the L147 Canto. The design department had to start over. Since this meant a three-year delay, the Diablo received a major facelift, resulting in the 6.0 models and new variants.

  • Top speed: 330 km/h
  • Acceleration: 3.9 sec.
  • Engine: 6.0 V12, 550 hp
  • Unladen weight: 1625 KG

Bat

The first all-new Lamborghini developed under the supervision of its (current) owner, Audi. The Diablo’s successor retained its scissor doors and V12 engine, but adopted a less aggressive design. Belgian designer Luc Donckerwolcke penned the sports coupé and the later Roadster variant, incorporating recessed air intakes that pivoted upwards when more cooling air was needed. This gave the sports car a bat-like appearance. The range-topping model arrived towards the end of its production run, in 2009. Bearing the letters SV, short for Super Veloce, or super-fast, this version offered more power, a 100 kg weight reduction and rear-wheel drive only. Lamborghini planned to build just 350 SVs. In the end, around 268 were made.

  • Name: A fighting bull from 1879. The name means bat in Spanish
  • Family tree: V12 family
  • Voorganger: Diablo
  • Production cycle: 2001-2010
  • Production volume: 4,099, including 268 SVs

After upgrading it for the facelifted Diablo 6.0, Lamborghini fitted the V12 engine to the Murciélago. The new supercar shared its powerplant not only with its predecessor, but also with the 350 GT. The twelve-cylinder engine's basic design was still Bizzarrini's original unit. Over the years, the powerplant had been continuously upgraded, from carburettors to fuel injection and from two to four valves per cylinder. Displacement increased from 3.5 litres to 6.2 litres over nearly four decades. Power more than doubled, from 280 hp to 580 hp by the time the Murciélago was introduced. In 2011, Lamborghini built the last Bizzarrini V12, which by then had been bored out to 6.5 litres and tuned to produce 670 hp (SV).

  • Top speed: 342 km/h
  • Acceleration: 3.2 sec.
  • Engine: 6.5 V12, 670 hp
  • Unladen weight: 1565 KG

Aventador

Record-breaker is another way to describe the Aventador. The supercar broke new ground for Lamborghini. Not just by becoming the brand’s first sports car since its founding in 1963 to feature an all-new V12 engine, boasting its largest-ever displacement (6.5 litres) and highest-ever power output (700 hp). Nor just by being the first ‘fighting bull’ to feature a full carbon-fibre monocoque. The Aventador LP 700-4, which went on sale in the summer of 2011, was a runaway commercial success, driving the factory’s V12 production to an all-time high. Shortly after sales began, the flagship model surpassed the Diablo’s sales total, followed by that of the Murciélago. Ultimately, more Aventadors were built in coupé and Roadster form than all of its predecessors combined.

  • Name: Fighting bull that won the Trofeo de la Peña La Madroñera in 1993
  • Family tree: V12 family
  • Predecessor: Murciélago
  • Production cycle: 2011-2022
  • Production volume: 11,465

An oversized spoiler on the Aventador SVJ shown here? No, it’s fully functional. The rear wing is part of the Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva system, or ALA for short. Both the front splitter and the engine cover feature active flaps that open and close using electric motors. On straights, the flaps open, allowing air to flow through internal channels. This reduces aerodynamic drag, improving top speed and acceleration. In corners, the flaps close, generating more downforce and therefore better grip. The system can also control airflow through the left and right sides of the rear wing independently, improving turn-in and cornering grip.

  • Top speed: 350+ km/h
  • Acceleration: 2.9 sec.
  • Engine: 6.5 V12, 700 hp
  • Unladen weight: 1275 KG

Essenza SCV12

The sports coupé is not road-legal, nor is it licensed for racing. Lamborghini developed an uncompromising sports coupé intended solely for use on private property or during unofficial (FIA) track days. The purist Essenza SCV12 was developed from a clean sheet. Its carbon-fibre bodywork, with an adjustable rear wing (1,200 kg of downforce at 250 km/h), houses a carbon-fibre monocoque and an analogue V12 engine paired with a six-speed sequential gearbox. Everything revolves around delivering the ultimate driving experience on a closed circuit, without competing against others.

  • Name: Squadra Corse (SC), engine (V12), uncompromising (Essenza)
  • Production cycle: 2020
  • Production volume: 22

Buying an Essenza SCV12 came with a comprehensive package. For starters, Lamborghini would invite you to join other owners for track days at “prestigious” circuits. All of this came with support from a team of factory technicians, helping owners with tyres, transport and other technical matters. You could also buy spare parts for the exotic coupé upfront, such as a second body (€110,000) and a windscreen. And for the driver, there was a drinks bottle, a 600-gram F1-style helmet and a helmet dryer. All accessories designed to make the wild ride in the Essenza SCV12 more comfortable, because in this racing machine, those kerbs demand your full attention.

  • Top speed: 320+ km/h
  • Acceleration: 2.5 sec.
  • Engine: 6.5 V12, 830 hp
  • Unladen weight: 1380 KG

Revuelto

With the Revuelto, Lamborghini launched its first sports car producing more than 1,000 hp. The manufacturer squeezes 825 hp out of the brand-new naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine, while assistance from three electric motors brings the combined output to 1,015 hp. The plug-in technology is not intended for all-electric driving. Instead, the energy is used to boost performance. The battery is located between the front seats.

  • Name: Spanish fighting bull that fought in the Barcelona bullring around 1880
  • Family tree: V12 family
  • Predecessor: AVENTADOR
  • Production cycle: 2023-
  • Production volume: still in production

The Revuelto was designed by Lamborghini’s head of design, Mitja Borkert. The German drew inspiration not only from the iconic Countach, Diablo and Aventador, but also from his great passion. Mitja has a real love of motorcycles, and it shows in the design. The engine, for instance, is exposed, just as it is on a motorcycle. The exhaust tips are another nod to two-wheelers, positioned high up in the centre of the rear end. And just as a racing motorcycle gives you an unobstructed view of its rear tyre… you guessed it, the Revuelto shows off its wide rubber in much the same way.

  • Top speed: 350+ km/h
  • Acceleration: 2.5 sec.
  • Engine: 6.5 V12, 1015 hp
  • Unladen weight: 1772 KG

Temerario

The digital rev counter goes all the way up to 12,000 rpm. Twelve thousand! The 4.0-litre V8, however, tops out at 10,000 rpm—an extreme figure for a turbocharged engine, not least because its maximum output of 800 hp is only delivered between 9,000 and 9,750 rpm. The 4.0-litre V8 is assisted by three electric motors, bringing total system output to 920 hp. With this powertrain, Lamborghini bid farewell to the analogue V10 powerhouse used in its predecessors, the Gallardo and Huracan. The compact body and mid-mounted powertrain layout remain. The Temerario is currently built only as a coupé, with a Spyder variant to follow in 2027.

  • Name: Italian for ‘daredevil’, named after a bull from Madrid (1875) 
  • Family tree: V8/V10 family
  • Predecessor: HURACÁN
  • Production cycle: 2024-
  • Production volume: still in production

Mitja Borkert wanted the Temerario to be instantly recognizable as a Lamborghini even from a distance, “even from a helicopter,” he said. But also up close, thanks to its details. The hexagonal design language remains a defining feature, as seen in the daytime running lights, taillights, air vents and exhaust tips. Lamborghini first used the hexagonal shape in 1967 on the Marzal concept car, designed by Marcello Gandini while working at Bertone. The shape was subsequently incorporated into the design of the Countach.

  • Top speed: 343 km/h
  • Acceleration: 2.7 sec.
  • Engine: 4.0 V8, 920 HP
  • Unladen weight: 1690 KG