Lamborghini Islero
Lamborghini Islero | ||
---|---|---|
Curb weight 1,315 kg (2,899 lb)[1] | | |
Chronology | ||
Predecessor | Lamborghini 400 GT | |
Successor | Lamborghini Jarama |
The Lamborghini Islero (Italian pronunciation:
History
The Islero was introduced at the 1968 Geneva Auto Show alongside the
An updated Islero, dubbed the Islero S or Islero GTS, was released in 1969. There were quite a few styling changes, including engine cooling vents on the front fenders, an enlarged hood scoop (which supplied air to the interior of the car, not the engine), slightly flared fenders, tinted windows, round side-marker lights (instead of teardrops on the original), and a fixed section in the door windows. Various other changes included slightly increased power output, larger brake discs, revised rear suspension and revamped dashboard and interior.[7][8] 100 examples of the Islero S were built,[9] bringing the production total of the Islero nameplate to 225 cars. Ferruccio Lamborghini himself drove an Islero during that era – as did his brother Edmondo. The car is also famous for its appearance in the Roger Moore thriller The Man Who Haunted Himself[10] and in the Italian short film anthology Vedo nudo[11] (as the car of Sylva Koscina).
Racing
While the Islero was not intended to be a racing model, French enthusiasts Paul Rilly and Roger Levève attempted to enter a lightly modified Islero (chassis 6348) in the 1975 24 Hours of Le Mans to compete in the GTX class. The car was equipped with upgraded brakes and suspension, modified air intake and exhaust system, a roll cage, a 100 litres (26 US gal) fuel tank, five-point harness, lighting for the racing number and hood straps. The Islero suffered a crash during qualifying and was not competitive with a best lap time of 5:28.00. Although at the last minute race officials permitted the Islero team to enter the main race due to withdrawal of another entrant, the team had already left the racetrack after the crash and did not compete.[12][13][2]
Specifications
The Islero had a 325 bhp (242 kW; 330 PS) 3.9 L (3929 cc)
The Islero's top speed was rated at 154 mph (248 km/h) and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) took 6.4 seconds.[6]
Islero S
The engine in this model was tuned to 350 bhp (261 kW; 355 PS), but the torque remained the same. This was achieved by using Miura P400S-type camshafts and raising the compression ratio from 9.5:1 in the original Islero to 10.8:1 in the Islero S. Rear suspension was also revised to be closer to the Espada's design, in an attempt to improve stability under acceleration and braking.[2][7] The top speed of the S improved to 161 mph (259 km/h) and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.2 seconds.[8]
References
- ^ "Islero". carsfromitaly.net. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
- ^ OCLC 12806744.
- ^ a b "RM Sotheby's - 1969 Lamborghini Islero 400 GT | Amelia Island 2017". RM Sotheby's. 2017-07-19. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ "CHI SIAMO – Marazzi Car" (in Italian). 2016. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- OCLC 8431194.
- ^ a b c "www.QV500.com - Lamborghini Islero Part 1: 400 GT Islero". qv500.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-05. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
- ^ OCLC 18937830.
- ^ a b "www.QV500.com - Lamborghini Islero Part 2: The 400 GT Islero S". qv500.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-05. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
- ^ "RM Sotheby's - 1970 Lamborghini Islero 400GTS | Essen 2020". RM Sotheby's. 2020-03-11. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ Branch, Ben (2015-09-08). "Roger Moore's Lamborghini Islero S". Silodrome. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ Graham (2011-12-13). "1968 Lamborghini Islero". Classic Italian Cars For Sale. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ Riom, Pierre-Yves; Ehrhardt, Nikki (12 November 2014). "The 24 Hours of Le Mans and Lamborghini (Part 1)". lemans.org. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ Nameche, Olivier (2007). "ISLERO LE MANS 1975 – PAUL RILLY" (PDF). jaramaregistry.com.