Lamborghini’s new angle!

By Jack Rix

04th June 2010

	“Low-slung, outrageously wide and exaggerated in every way possible – the Cnossus could only be a Lamborghini”

Could this be the model to take on the mantle of the Murciélago? It is low-slung, outrageously wide and exaggerated in every way possible – and there could be only one badge that belongs on the bonnet: Lamborghini.

Every Lambo needs a bull theme, and this supercar design study is named after the ancient Greek city, Cnossus (aka Knossos) – home to the legendary half-man, half-bull Minotaur. It’s the work of Russian Victor Filipchenko and Portugese Nelson Simoes, both students at Italy’s prestigious Scuola Politecnica di Design.

Presenting a bold vision of what the firm’s future flagship could look like, the concept takes inspiration from Lamborghini models past and present, including the Countach and Reventón.

It boasts many classic cues such as telephone-dial wheels lifted from the Countach, scissor doors and gaping air intakes in front of the rear wheelarch. At the rear, the thin strip of LED lights with inverted arrows at the end is a clear nod towards the Reventón’s jet-fighter theme, while the diffuser looks more like something you’d find on a Le Mans prototype racer than a road car.

The timing of the design is poignant. An all-new V12 Murciélago successor – an artist’s impression of which we featured on the cover of Issue 1,109 – is set to break cover later this year.

Sticking with the supersports theme, the VW Kai-Nalu Concept takes a similarly radical approach. The work of Josep Ferriol of Spain’s Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, it has a ‘rolling wave’ theme seen in its smooth, flowing roof, moulded from one piece of glass.

The transparent top gives a clear view of the twin electric motors. One is at the front, one is at the back – a layout which helps to distribute weight evenly. And the unusual wheel design features a VW badge that’s balanced to stay upright.