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?