Which Lamborghini Miura Version Should You Choose?
The Lamborghini Miura catalogue contains three versions, all named 3.9 MT, so power output is the essential identifier: 3.9 MT (350 hp), 3.9 MT (370 hp), and 3.9 MT (385 hp). All belong to the single generation produced from 1966 to 1973, use the Coupe body, and share a 3,929 cc Gasoline V-shaped 12-cylinder engine, Carburetor fuel system, no boost, a 5-speed Manual gearbox, and RWD.
The Lamborghini Miura catalogue contains three versions, all named 3.9 MT, so power output is the essential identifier: 3.9 MT (350 hp), 3.9 MT (370 hp), and 3.9 MT (385 hp). All belong to the single generation produced from 1966 to 1973, use the Coupe body, and share a 3,929 cc Gasoline V-shaped 12-cylinder engine, Carburetor fuel system, no boost, a 5-speed Manual gearbox, and RWD. The practical choice is therefore not between generations, body styles, or drivetrains, but between three outputs and their associated performance figures. The 3.9 MT (350 hp) is the lightest at 1,292 kg, the 3.9 MT (370 hp) improves acceleration substantially, and the 3.9 MT (385 hp) combines the highest output, strongest torque, and highest top speed.
Lamborghini Miura generations and versions
There is only 1 generation of the Lamborghini Miura in the catalogue, covering 1966–1973. It is a Coupe and contains 3 versions. No separate restyling or later generation is listed, so every comparison in this guide concerns variants within the same generation.
The three cars have the identical database version name 3.9 MT. To keep them distinct, they are identified here by their outputs: 3.9 MT (350 hp), 3.9 MT (370 hp), and 3.9 MT (385 hp). Their shared displacement, transmission, drive, cylinder arrangement, and body type make their measured differences especially useful when deciding which version to choose.
Engine and specs comparison
| Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 MT (350 hp) | 350 hp (257 kW) at 7,000 rpm | 378 Nm at 5,000 rpm | 3,929 cc | Gasoline | 12 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 3.9 MT (370 hp) | 370 hp (272 kW) at 7,700 rpm | 387 Nm at 5,500 rpm | 3,929 cc | Gasoline | 12 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 3.9 MT (385 hp) | 385 hp (283 kW) at 7,850 rpm | 399 Nm at 5,750 rpm | 3,929 cc | Gasoline | 12 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
Because all three 3.9 MT versions displace 3,929 cc, output per litre separates them clearly. The 3.9 MT (350 hp) produces approximately 89.1 hp per litre, the 3.9 MT (370 hp) produces approximately 94.2 hp per litre, and the 3.9 MT (385 hp) produces approximately 98.0 hp per litre. These are arithmetic comparisons based on the listed displacement and power.
The 3.9 MT (370 hp) adds 20 hp and 9 Nm over the 3.9 MT (350 hp). Moving from the 3.9 MT (370 hp) to the 3.9 MT (385 hp) adds another 15 hp and 12 Nm. Across the full range, the 3.9 MT (385 hp) provides 35 hp and 21 Nm more than the 3.9 MT (350 hp).
The engine fundamentals remain consistent: every version has a centrally positioned Gasoline engine with 12 cylinders in a V-shaped layout, 2 valves per cylinder, Carburetor fuel delivery, and no boost. Bore and stroke are 82 × 62 mm for all three. Compression ratio rises from 9.5 in the 3.9 MT (350 hp) to 10.4 in the 3.9 MT (370 hp) and 10.7 in the 3.9 MT (385 hp).
Performance, acceleration, top speed, and mpg
| Exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 MT (350 hp) | 6.7 seconds | 280 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.9 MT (370 hp) | 5.5 seconds | 280 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.9 MT (385 hp) | 5.5 seconds | 290 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
For acceleration, both the 3.9 MT (370 hp) and 3.9 MT (385 hp) reach 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, making them 1.2 seconds quicker than the 3.9 MT (350 hp) at 6.7 seconds. The extra 15 hp of the 3.9 MT (385 hp) does not improve the listed 0–100 km/h time over the 370 hp version, but it raises top speed from 280 to 290 km/h.
This makes the 3.9 MT (370 hp) the balanced performance choice on the available figures: it matches the quickest listed acceleration while sharing the 280 km/h maximum speed of the 350 hp version. The 3.9 MT (385 hp) is the choice for the highest top speed, providing an additional 10 km/h over both alternatives.
City, highway, and combined fuel consumption are not measured for every version. An mpg comparison therefore cannot be made. Fuel-tank capacity, CO₂ output, and environmental class are also not measured, so the data does not support claims about driving range, emissions, or relative economy.
Dimensions, weight, tank, and wheel sizes
| Exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 MT (350 hp) | 1,292 kg | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.9 MT (370 hp) | 1,305 kg | 1,500 kg | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.9 MT (385 hp) | 1,305 kg | 1,500 kg | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The 3.9 MT (350 hp) is 13 kg lighter than each higher-output version. Its approximate weight-to-power figure is 3.69 kg per hp, compared with 3.53 kg per hp for the 3.9 MT (370 hp) and 3.39 kg per hp for the 3.9 MT (385 hp). Although the 385 hp version weighs 13 kg more than the 350 hp car, its additional 35 hp gives it the most favourable weight-per-horsepower result.
Gross weight is not measured for the 3.9 MT (350 hp). For the 3.9 MT (370 hp) and 3.9 MT (385 hp), gross weight is 1,500 kg, which is 195 kg above their 1,305 kg kerb weight. Ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity, and wheel sizes are not measured for all three versions.
Every version uses Independent, spring suspension at both the front and rear, with Disc brakes at both ends. Consequently, the listed suspension and brake specifications do not provide a reason to favour one output over another.
Reliability and problems: what the data can establish
Reliability records, fault rates, maintenance requirements, and problem reports are not measured in the supplied data. It is therefore not possible to rank the 3.9 MT (350 hp), 3.9 MT (370 hp), and 3.9 MT (385 hp) by reliability or to identify version-specific problems from these specifications.
The available data does show that all three versions use the same displacement, cylinder count and layout, fuel system, gearbox type, drive system, bore and stroke, suspension layout, and brake type. Those shared specifications describe their mechanical configuration, but they do not prove that ownership costs or reliability are equal.
Which Lamborghini Miura 3.9 MT should you buy?
Choose the 3.9 MT (350 hp) if the lowest kerb weight is your main criterion. At 1,292 kg, it is 13 kg lighter than the other two versions. The trade-off is measurable: its 6.7-second 0–100 km/h time is 1.2 seconds slower, and it has 20 hp less than the middle version and 35 hp less than the most powerful one.
Choose the 3.9 MT (370 hp) for the strongest compromise among the listed figures. It reaches 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, matching the 385 hp version, while its 280 km/h top speed matches the 350 hp version. Relative to the entry output, it adds 20 hp and 9 Nm for a 13 kg increase in kerb weight.
Choose the 3.9 MT (385 hp) if maximum catalogue performance matters most. It has 385 hp, 399 Nm, a 5.5-second 0–100 km/h time, and a 290 km/h top speed. It also delivers the best calculated output per litre and the lowest calculated kilograms per horsepower. Compared with the 370 hp version, it adds 15 hp, 12 Nm, and 10 km/h of top speed without adding kerb weight.
No price figures are provided, so the extra money required for either higher-output version and its value cannot be calculated. Based strictly on specifications, the 3.9 MT (370 hp) is the acceleration-focused middle choice, while the 3.9 MT (385 hp) is the clearest choice for outright output and top speed.