Description
The Lamborghini Miura P 400 S, introduced in 1968, was the second and more refined evolution of the original Miura, a car already hailed as a design and engineering masterpiece. While the first Miura P 400 had stunned the world with its beauty and revolutionary mid-engine layout, the P 400 S brought a new level of polish, sophistication, and usability to match its breathtaking performance. It was a car that preserved the wild spirit of the original but added maturity—a more complete supercar, still as striking and emotional as ever, but now more livable and technically advanced.
By the late 1960s, the Miura had already made Lamborghini a global name. The company’s engineers, led by Gian Paolo Dallara and Paolo Stanzani, had built a machine that defied convention, with its transversely mounted V12 engine and its impossibly low, wide proportions. But as customers began to use their Miuras for daily driving and long-distance touring, Lamborghini recognized the need for refinement. The P 400 S—often referred to simply as the “Miura S”—was introduced at the 1968 Turin Motor Show to address those demands while maintaining the car’s extraordinary performance and beauty.
At its heart, the Miura P 400 S retained the same 3,929 cc all-aluminium V12 engine designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, mounted transversely behind the driver. However, careful reworking of the carburetion and camshaft timing, along with improved compression, increased output from 350 to 370 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. Torque rose to 392 Nm, making the car faster and more responsive than its predecessor. Power was delivered through a five-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels, propelling the P 400 S to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 285 km/h (177 mph)—figures that placed it among the fastest road cars in the world.
The chassis and suspension setup remained fundamentally the same as on the original Miura: a lightweight steel frame with fully independent suspension, double wishbones, coil springs, and telescopic dampers at each corner. The car’s agility and poise were exceptional, though Lamborghini also worked to improve stability and rigidity. The P 400 S introduced larger Girling ventilated disc brakes, enhancing stopping performance, and minor suspension revisions refined the ride without dulling the car’s responsiveness.
Visually, the Miura S retained the breathtaking proportions that had made the original a design icon. The body, designed by Marcello Gandini for Bertone, remained impossibly low and fluid, with its long nose, fastback tail, and dramatic curves. Yet subtle details distinguished the S from the earlier model. The chrome trim around the windows and headlights replaced the black finish, adding a touch of elegance. The headlights retained their signature “eyelash” surrounds, and the wheels featured new finishes. The fuel filler was now externally accessible under a small flap, and minor tweaks to the front and rear vents improved cooling and aerodynamics.
Inside, the P 400 S received significant upgrades in comfort and craftsmanship. The cabin was now trimmed in high-quality leather rather than vinyl, and the dashboard layout was more refined. New rocker switches replaced the earlier toggle style, while additional sound insulation made the car quieter and more civilized at cruising speeds. Air conditioning became available as an option, reflecting Lamborghini’s awareness that its clientele expected luxury as well as speed. The result was an interior that felt both exotic and sophisticated, blending Italian artistry with a newfound sense of comfort.
Driving the Miura P 400 S was a deeply sensory experience. The V12 engine sat just inches behind the driver, filling the cabin with its mechanical symphony. Its throttle response was immediate, its power delivery smooth yet ferocious. The steering was direct and communicative, and the chassis rewarded precision—though it still demanded respect at the limit, where the mid-engine balance could be both thrilling and unforgiving. At speed, the Miura S was stable and intoxicatingly fast, capable of covering vast distances with ease while delivering an emotional connection few cars could match.
Production of the Miura P 400 S continued until 1971, with around 338 examples built. Each car was hand-assembled in Sant’Agata Bolognese, and no two were quite the same. The P 400 S became a favorite among celebrities and connoisseurs alike, owned by figures such as Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, and Miles Davis—men drawn to its combination of glamour, speed, and presence.
The Miura S represented the perfect middle ground in the Miura’s evolution. It retained the purity and elegance of the original P 400 while previewing the more muscular and advanced P 400 SV that would follow. It was both exotic and usable, a car that combined ferocity with finesse.
Today, the Lamborghini Miura P 400 S is regarded as one of the most desirable classic supercars ever built. Its blend of power, beauty, and refinement embodies the essence of Lamborghini’s golden age. The S captured a moment in time when the boundaries of design and performance were being redefined, and it remains one of the most evocative expressions of automotive art—a car that, even decades later, can still take your breath away.