Gallardo LP560-4: Lighter, Faster, Better

Lamborghini’s “baby”, the Gallardo, has been a smash hit.
Since it was launched in 2003, Lamborghini has sold more than 7,000 units,
which has helped the Italian supercar maker to smash its yearly sales records
time and time again. For Geneva, Lamborghini has essentially overhauled the
Gallardo with a series of visual and mechanical changes, increasing its
performance and its appeal.

Many of the changes to the Gallardo’s exterior were
inspired by the ultra-exclusive Reventon. The new fascia has a third intake,
outlined by diagonal spars, while the new headlamps feature 15 LED daytime
running lights apiece, creating a unique Y-pattern, a similar technique to
what’s found on new Audis. At the rear, the Gallardo has been
reworked to include a strip of mesh that runs clear across the backside, plus
slimmer taillights, while a rear-view camera has been fitted into the spoiler,
complete with its own fin.

The primary focus of the LP560-4 is the engine
upgrade.
With the limited run Superleggera, the Gallardo’s 5.0-liter V10 was
reaching its maximum potential. So, Lamborghini increased the engine’s
displacement to 5.2-liters and added FSI direct
injection, which sounds a whole lot like the engines found in the Audi
S6 and
S8. Just the same, because Lamborghini is all about high-strung
performance the 5.2 makes a very un-Audi-like 560
ps (552 horsepower)!

When combined with the Egear sequential transmission (a
traditional manual is still available), which has been reprogrammed to perform
gearshifts some 40-percent faster, the revised Gallardo hits 60 mph in 3.7 seconds
and can achieve a top speed of 202 mph. Oh, and if that weren’t enough, the new Gallardo weighs 44 pounds less than before, enhancing performance and fuel economy.

So, here’s the question - do you really need that Murcielago?