Description
The Lamborghini Espada was one of the most distinctive and ambitious grand tourers ever produced by Lamborghini, a car that perfectly expressed Ferruccio Lamborghini’s vision of combining high performance with true four-seat comfort. Built between 1968 and 1978, the Espada was the company’s longest-running and best-selling model of its early years, outlasting several of its contemporaries and helping to establish Lamborghini’s reputation for bold design and refined engineering. With its dramatic styling by Bertone and its glorious V12 engine, the Espada became the definitive Lamborghini GT of the 1970s.
The Espada’s origins lay in the Marzal concept car of 1967, a radical prototype created by Marcello Gandini at Bertone. The Marzal’s glass canopy, low stance, and futuristic lines captured Ferruccio Lamborghini’s imagination, but he wanted a version that was more practical, luxurious, and powered by the company’s signature twelve-cylinder engine. From that vision emerged the Espada—a car designed to offer the performance of a supercar with the comfort and space of a grand touring saloon.
The Espada name, meaning “sword” in Spanish, was chosen in keeping with Lamborghini’s tradition of bullfighting references, and it suited the car’s sharp, cutting-edge appearance. Gandini’s design was striking and unconventional. The Espada had a long, low silhouette with a broad, flat roofline, crisp angles, and an almost architectural quality to its proportions. Its large glass areas, including a unique rear window that wrapped down into the tail, gave the car excellent visibility and a light-filled cabin. The design was both futuristic and elegant, making the Espada stand out even among Italy’s most exotic automobiles.
Beneath its forward-thinking bodywork lay the mechanical heart of a true Lamborghini. The Espada used the company’s proven 3,929 cc all-aluminium V12 engine, originally designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and continuously refined by Lamborghini’s engineers. With six twin-choke Weber carburetors, four overhead camshafts, and dry-sump lubrication, the engine produced 325 horsepower in the first series, later rising to 350 horsepower in the second and third series. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox, though later cars could be ordered with a three-speed automatic transmission. Top speed was around 250 km/h (155 mph), with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in roughly 6.5 seconds—remarkable for a four-seater of its size.
The chassis was based on a modified version of the one used in the earlier 400 GT, stretched to provide ample interior space and exceptional stability at high speeds. The suspension was fully independent all around, with unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, and telescopic dampers, while four-wheel ventilated disc brakes ensured confident stopping power. The steering was precise and communicative, and the wide track gave the car superb road-holding, making it surprisingly agile for such a long vehicle.
Inside, the Espada was designed as a luxurious, high-speed lounge. The cabin featured deep, leather-trimmed seats for four adults, a sweeping dashboard filled with instrumentation, and rich materials throughout. Air conditioning, electric windows, and a high-quality audio system were standard features on most examples, reflecting Ferruccio Lamborghini’s commitment to comfort and craftsmanship. The large glass area gave the cabin a bright, open feel, while the luggage space made the car practical for long-distance touring.
Over its decade-long production run, Lamborghini produced three main series of the Espada, each with refinements in design and engineering. The Series I, built from 1968 to 1970, featured the original 325-horsepower engine and a distinctive hexagonal dashboard layout. The Series II, from 1970 to 1972, introduced minor styling updates, better brakes, and a revised suspension, along with a power increase to 350 horsepower. The final Series III, produced from 1972 to 1978, offered the highest level of refinement, with a redesigned interior, optional automatic transmission, and subtle exterior modifications such as new bumpers and improved lighting.
On the road, the Espada combined the effortless power of a grand touring machine with the smoothness of a luxury car. The V12 delivered its power with remarkable refinement, and the car’s long wheelbase and suspension setup provided a composed ride even at high speeds. It was equally comfortable navigating winding roads or cruising on the autostrada for hours at a time. For many, it offered the perfect balance of performance and practicality—a car capable of carrying four people and their luggage across a continent without compromise.
Ferruccio Lamborghini himself often used an Espada as his personal car, preferring its understated comfort to the more flamboyant Miura. It was, in many ways, the purest expression of his automotive ideals. While the Miura captured headlines, the Espada quietly built Lamborghini’s reputation for producing cars that were as refined as they were powerful.
In total, 1,217 Espadas were built between 1968 and 1978, making it the most successful Lamborghini model until the arrival of the Countach. Despite being overshadowed by the company’s mid-engined supercars in later years, the Espada has earned lasting respect for its innovative design and superb engineering.
Today, the Lamborghini Espada is appreciated as one of the most elegant and distinctive grand tourers of its era. Its bold lines, exceptional craftsmanship, and the unmistakable sound of its V12 engine continue to captivate enthusiasts. It was a car ahead of its time—an ambitious blend of style, performance, and practicality that defined Lamborghini’s approach to the grand touring ideal. The Espada remains a masterpiece of design and vision, proof that true speed and sophistication can coexist in perfect harmony.