Lamborghini P140
He had to be the heir to the Jalpa, a Lamborghini that revived the splendor of the Urraco and his heir, with the engine in a central position, a two-seater with license plates.
This prototype was very important for Lamborghini
especially for the engine that mounted, I believe and I hope, convinced, that after reading this post you want to answer the question you read at the bottom.
The designer, once again He
Marcello Gandini, with a totally free pencil in being able to design, in being able to transmit the same emotions to which he used to us always.
It is still unclear whether he asked Him or was it the same Chrysler to give him carte blanche, without putting any “pressure” or direction.
I think that after refusing (always by Gandini) the first prototype of the Diablo (which was in an advanced stage of development), the American leaders could not have much else to say.
The Lamborghini P140 with a V10 engine
new, designed by the same engineer of the Diablo, Luigi Marmiroli, a motorization never mounted before, it was the first time.
An engine created in just ten months, a real record for such a propeller.
Marmiroli, a very capable engineer
so much to be called in Ferrari almost immediately, after graduating in 1970, and catapulted into the world of Formula 1, where he designed racing cars for a decade.
With important experiences during his brilliant career, not secondary to the Lamborghini, where he gave birth to the Diablo.
The important experiences and collaborations were, also, with brands of the caliber of Autodelta and Minardi, entering into company with the Formula 1 team, he held the role of director of the Euroracing Team.
On the clash between Autodelta and Euroracing I propose an interesting post, not wanting to risk going off topic.
But here, today, I would like to mention the contribution made to the Lambrghini
car
and despite having arrived at the “Casa del Toro” during a period thatwas certainly not easy, during the transition phase between one owner and another (MegaTech company of the son of President Suharto).
Hideaway headlights for the P140.
Nevertheless he was able to give his very important contribution, from the numerous prototypes and ideas, reaching the Diablo (always designed by Gandini). 
The “hoped” displacement of 3.9 liters, catalyzed, four valves per cylinder, electronic equatorial injection of Lamborghini origin, with a maximum power that had to “wander” around 330 horses.
That type of injection was subsequently mounted also on the Lamborghini Diablo.
The Lamborghini P140 could be equipped (still a novelty) with a six-speed transmission
with the presence of two first gears, one short and the other long, to make maneuvering in parking areas short, for long “burning” departures.
As for the options
an electronic clutch was foreseen, therefore with the elimination of the pedal.
In hopes it was due to go into production in 1992
with an annual number of copies estimated at 1500, at an approximate price of about 160,000,000. of Lire, almost half of the Diablo, which was already on the Lamborghini list.
Aesthetically you will notice a roof divided into two parts
that once taken away would allow her to become a car “license plate”, the rear window in the forecasts had to be lowered.
With the use of light alloys for the engine, the body, and some parts of the body, the weight (indicative) of the P140 was around 1300 kilograms.
Three were assembled (maybe four)
the Lamborghini registers do not give certainty on the two numbers, with different colors:
the first orange complete in all and working
the second redhead left at the engine-free stage of maquette
the last one in 1991 was white, used for crash tests, and then completely restored and brought to the Lamborghini museum (the one we see in the photos),
The Lamborghini P140 was never produced
according to some for reasons related to too many projects in the pipeline, from the new Espada, to the Diablo 4×4, or to “rumors” (later verified) that the Lamborghini was about to change ownership.
A few years later came the Calà, another concept, with the P140 sharing the motorization.
That V10, more or less modified, we would have seen it a few years later on the Gallardo and the Audi R8.
Too bad, I’ll say it again, once again we missed a good opportunity.
Just a question …… if this prototype, with that engine, we would have seen the Lamborghini Auto grow as it did in these years ???
Honestly ……. I do not think so ……
