Replacing the legendary Lamborghini Diabolo was not an easy brief—since its launch in 1990, the supercar had become a bedroom wall pin-up and a true icon of the Sant’Agata marque. Tasked with bringing the next Raging Bull supercar to life, designer Luc Donckerwolke crafted a pure and angular design that intrinsically oozed the marque’s DNA. Introduced in 2001, the Murciélago proved to be an instant hit and the model’s first major update was the announcement of the Roadster in 2003, followed by the more powerful facelifted versions unveiled in 2006.

Lamborghini’s V-12 engine traces its lineage back to the 1960s and the earliest incarnation of the company. Early production versions of the Murciélago were fitted with a 6.2-litre variant of the V-12 powerplant, while the facelifted LP640 variants—so called because of their “Longitudinale Posteriore” engine orientation and increased specific 631 brake horsepower output—were fitted with a larger capacity 6.5-litre V-12, adding power and perhaps also a touch more aural drama.

Roadster variants of the Murciélago were designed around their open-top styling, equipped with a manually operated canvas roof to keep out the elements in the case of inclement weather, but only rated to withstand speeds of up to 160 km/h. The official top speed of the LP640-4 Roadster was rated at 336 km/h, suggesting the roof should be removed as often as possible to increase the theatre of the drive, and to savour the car’s vocal V-12 soundtrack.

This 2009 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640-4 Roadster was delivered new to Qatar. It is finished in an eye-catching metallic red hue with a black soft-top roof over a bright red and cream leather interior with contrast stitching, accented by a red leather-trimmed steering wheel with matching red paddles, and featuring darker red carpets with cream piping.

Naturally it is powered by the powerful 6.5-litre V-12 engine paired to a six-speed “E-Gear” automated manual transmission with paddle shifters.

This Murciélago features a rear-view camera, exposed carbon-fibre in the engine bay, front axle lift, scissor doors, raising and lowering air intakes, quilted seat stitching, embossed Lamborghini headrest emblems, carbon fibre inner sill covers, black exterior accents, and five-spoke alloy wheels housing carbon ceramic brake callipers finished in yellow. This LP640-4 Roadster shows 2,836 kilometres on its odometer at the time of cataloguing.

A legendary supercar of early 2000s fame, the Murciélago is a worthy holder of the Raging Bull badge. This distinctive Roadster awaits its next owner to be enjoyed as an ideal companion for open-top adventures in warm climes.