Report: Lamborghini working on pair of two-wheel-drive cars

The Estoque Concept that demonstrated how Lamborghini's styling brilliance wasn't reserved for two-door vehicles was preceded by much talk of a possible SV, or 'superveloce', variant of the Murcielago. Part of the rumor regarding that car was that it would be two-wheel drive, rather than the standard Lamborghini AWD, and now a new report has emerged that lends credence to that idea and reveals that a 2WD Gallardo model is also in the works.

The first of the cars to get the two-wheel-drive treatment, due in late 2009, will be the Gallardo, reports AutoTelegraaf after a talk with Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann. Dubbed the LP560-2, the new car will also bear the title 'Superleggera', Italian for 'superlight'. The Superleggera version of the previous-generation Gallardo made do with AWD, however, so the new car should be even lighter with the front drive axles and differential removed, and it is likely that the Murcielago will get a similar treatment.

The Murcielago will also feature the new naming convention, sporting an LP640-2 model number. Though the SV nameplate hasn't yet been pegged to the new Murcielago, it's an obvious possibility. Rumors that an SV-badged Murcielago may appear, at least in concept form, at the Geneva Motor Show in March would fit with a timeline for release later in 2009. The SV is also expected to lose as much as 220lb (100kg) compared to the standard car, and could possibly be RWD-only.

The next-generation Murcielago, already spotted in testing, isn't due until 2011, so the update to the aging car could help buoy sales in the interim.