Official images: Lamborghini reveals new engine and gearbox for next year’s Murcielago replacement

Let the tease begin!
Lamborghini has provided the first details to the upcoming Murcielago successor by revealing previously secret specifications to its V12 engine and automated seven speed manual gearbox more than four months before the new supercar, which goes under the internal codename of LP83X, is planned to make its public premiere at the Geneva auto show in March.
Codenamed L539, the 48-valve 6.5-litre V12 engine is described as an all new development, lending little or nothing with the long serving unit used by the Murcielago that can be traced all the way back to the Italian supercar maker’s formative days and renowned Italian engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, who is credited with its design.
Based around the same 60-degree cylinder bank angle but possessing vastly different bore and stroke measurements of 95mm and 76.4mm and a high 11.8:1 compression ratio, the latest in a long line of high output Lamborghini road car engines is claimed to kick out 30bhp and 30Nm more torque than the final evolution of the engine it replaces – as seen in the Murcielago LP670-4 Super Veloce, with 700bhp at 8250rpm and 690Nm at 5500rpm.

Images of new Lamborghini engine and gearbox together with new versus old V12 engine comparison after the jump

Developed by Lamborghini in conjunction with engineers from parent company Audi, the new V12 also boasts a cylinder bore spacing of 103.5mm in a move that not only makes it smaller but a good deal lighter than the old V12. Official measurements put its length at 784mm, width at 848mm and height at 665mm. The new engine is also claimed to tip the scales at 235kg.
Meanwhile, Lamborghini has also developed a new gearbox for next year’s Murcielago replacement called the ISR (Independent Shifting Rod). The fully automated seven speed unit uses a new twin shaft design that is claimed to provide improved shift quality and more compact dimensions than the six-speed unit it replaces. At 79kg, it's also claimed to weight less than comparable double clutch gearboxes.

Old versus new: TheAutoInsider's guide to Lamborghini's new V12

Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce
Type: 12 cylinder, 60-degrees
Bore and stroke: 88mm x 89 mm
Displacement 6496cm3 (396.41 cubic inches)
Compression ratio 11.2:1
Maximum power: 670bhp (493kW) at 8000rpm
Maximum torque: 660Nm (487 lb ft) at 6500rpm
Construction: aluminium heads and block

Lamborghini LP83X (Murcielago successor)
Type: 12 cylinder, 60-degrees
Bore and stroke: 95mm x 76.4 mm
Displacement 6498cm3 (396.54 cubic inches)
Compression ratio 11.8:1
Maximum power: 700bhp (515kW) at 8250rpm
Maximum torque: 690Nm (508lb ft) at 5500rpm
Construction: aluminium heads and block

Click to enlarge