Lamborghini unveils new V12 engine

We're always receiving BIG NEWS about new engines at TopGear.com, and we often ignore them. You should thank us, really. This is different, however. This is interesting because it has 'Lamborghini' stamped on it. Behold: the new V12 set to debut in the Murcielago's successor.

See pics of the new Lambo V12

The new Lamborghini V12 engine packs 700bhp - 30bhp up from the LP670-SV -and 500lb ft of torque from its 6.5-litre capacity. It's been designed and hand built entirely in-house by Lamborghini (we suspect with a glaring VW-shaped eye cast over it) and weighs 235kg. It also revs to 8,250rpm, which for a V12, is a lot.

The 12-pot will be mated to a new single-clutch automated manual box, lighter than equivalent DSGs and engineered to give an 'emotional' gearbox feel. What this means remains anyone's guess, although we imagine ‘angry', ‘tense' and ‘pre-menstrual' were probably rejected at the brain-storming stage. The gearbox does promise 50 per cent quicker shift times than with a dual-clutch box, and is nicknamed ISR - Independent Shifting Rod. No laughing at the back!

See pics of the last Lamborghini Murcielago off the production line

The new V12 and box will hit production next year, as Lamborghini unveils its new halo supercar. And that is BIG NEWS to get excited about.