50 years ago, Lamborghini introduced the Miura SV

Lamborghini celebrates Miura SV’s golden anniversary this year

If there’s one car that defined the word supercar, it’s the Lamborghini Miura. Introduced in 1966, it featured a mid-engine V12, a two-seater layout, and had around 350 horsepower. No doubt it set the standard formula for supercars to come.

During its seven years of production, several models of the Miura were introduced. The first model was simply called the P400. However, the most popular version was the final evolution, the Miura SV, which was launched in 1971.

This year, Lamborghini is celebrating the golden anniversary of the Miura SV after it first debuted 50 years ago. Compared to the original, the SV differed a lot from the first two models, both technically and aesthetically.

Starting with the technical aspects, it used a 4.0-liter V12 that produced more power than the standard model. Output was rated at 385 horsepower and 400 Nm torque. It also had a stiffer chassis, revised suspension, and wider tires for better handling.

With all the modifications, the Miura SV’s official top speed was over 290 km/h. It can also cover one kilometer from a standing start in just under 24 seconds. To this day, the performance figures are impressive, and remember this was set back in the 70s.

As mentioned earlier, there were also changes to the Miura in the styling department. One of the most obvious changes was the P400’s iconic “eyelashes” around the headlights, which were ditched in favor of a more simple design. It wasn’t just for aesthetics too.

Ferruccio Lamborghini, who knew very well that the assembly and perfect finishing of the eyelashes was a highly complex and time-consuming step, wanted to reduce the Miura’s production time. The rear fenders were also wider to accommodate the new wheels.

Without the Miura SV, we may not have the lightweight, more powerful versions of the supercars we’ve come to know today. There would be no Murcielago SV, Aventador SVJ, Huracan Performante, and more. Thankfully, Lamborghini has stuck with the same formula and continues to build the wildest performance models out there.