2010 Lamborghini Gallardo Sports Car – First Drive Review
The high-performance Lamborghini Gallardo represents the essence of exotic ultra-luxury. Unlike other Lamborghinis, the Gallardo is intended to perform well as an everyday driver as well as a racing machine. After extensive exterior and mechanical upgrades for 2009, the Gallardo adds a new limited-edition Valentino Balboni version for 2010.
The 2010 Gallardo — dubbed LP 560-4 — is available as a coupe or Spyder convertible. The Balboni edition is dubbed LP 550-2. The Gallardo competes with the Ferrari F430 and Audi R8.
With the new Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder, Lamborghini has created a driving experience like absolutely no other – fascinating design, breathtaking performance and extreme handling characteristics come together with all the sensual intensity and open-air pleasure that only a soft top super sports car can deliver.
The 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4’s exterior was refreshed last year with changes that left reviewers mostly impressed. The new car’s styling is at once more aggressive and more elegant than before. Unlike the Murcielago’s scissors-style doors, the Gallardo has conventional front-hinged doors. The body sits low to the ground and has big side scoops and sharp edges and curves. The cab-forward cockpit is integrated into the body, giving it a wedge-shaped profile.
- Bi-xenon headlamps, LED daytime running lamps
- Rear spoiler automatically deploys at high speeds
- Power soft-top on Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder operates in about 20 seconds
- 19-inch wheels, Pirelli P Zero tires
- Balboni edition has unique paint, custom suspension
Though the Gallardo is a performance-oriented car, it isn’t without its luxuries. The cabin seats two, and an Ad Personam program allows customers to choose any interior color and trim combination.
- Standard leather upholstery; optional Alcantara upholstery and headliner
- Standard dual-zone climate control
- Optional heated seats, navigation system
- Optional carbon fiber trim
- Trunk located under the hood, with 3.9 cubic feet of cargo space
Built with an aluminum body and space frame, all Gallardos but the Valentino Balboni have all-wheel drive.
- 5.2-liter V-10 withdirect-injection
- 552 horsepower, 398 pounds-feet of torque
- All-wheel-drive system distributes 30 percent of power to the front wheels; system can be adjusted as needed
- Rear-wheel-drive Valentino Balboni edition has 543 hp, 398 pounds-feet of torque
- Six-speed manual or six-speed automated manual
- Optional ceramic brakes
- Zero to 60 mph in under 4 seconds
The engine of the Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder is a completely new development. All that remains is the number of cylinders, – that magical ten – which provides a perfect synthesis of high-revs, pulling power, athletic agility, compact dimensions and low weight that is unique within this performance class.
According to Lamborghini, the 2010 Gallardo LP560-4 coupe has a top speed of 202 mph and can blast from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds. It handles well in twists and turns too.
An even more powerful engine, permanent all-wheel drive and an all-new chassis mean that the Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder offers yet another significant increase in performance against its predecessor. With its innovative design, the new LP 560-4 Spyder takes the unique Lamborghini styling ethic to the next level; the Spyder displays this powerful and elegant design language with even greater distinctiveness, making it all the more unmistakable. The bodyshell also incorporates the highest levels of passive safety. The Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder even fulfills European directives for pedestrian protection that are not yet mandatory. Furthermore, the geometry of the entire front end of the car has been optimized, with a special combination of materials behind the front bumper that serve to absorb impact forces.
Unlike most Lamborghinis from the past, the Gallardo is pretty driver-friendly, with a civilized and comfortable cabin, top-notch materials and tasteful design. By comparison, many precious Lamborghinis were saddled with hot and stifling cockpits, poor visibility and questionable ergonomics.
Whichever Gallardo tickles your fancy, there’s no doubt that this futuristic wedgelike supercar will attract attention and deliver jaw-dropping performance. At its stratospherically high price, there are a few other exotics that compete against the Gallardo.
Such extreme power must be delivered to the road safely. The driver of a Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder can thus rely on the viscous traction permanent all-wheel drive system – the number 4 in the model name serves as a reminder of this. Located in the driveline is a central viscous coupling, which requires no electronic control. In this Lamborghini-specific configuration, driving power is distributed between front and rear at a standard ratio of 30:70, adapting to variations in road conditions within a matter of milliseconds. A mechanical differential on the rear axle providing up to 45% limited slip, and an electronic differential lock at the front complete the all-wheel drive system.
The new brake system comes with brutal stopping power. At the front, eight-cylinder Brembo calipers grip 14.37 in (365 mm) diameter discs, while four-cylinder callipers and 14 in (356 mm) discs take up the rear. The new disc ventilation also improves brake fade under extreme load conditions.
Highly stable carbon fibre ceramic discs are available as an option. At the front the CCB (Carbon Ceramic Brake) discs measure 15 in (380mm) diameter and at the rear 14 in (356mm). They deliver improved performance with reduced weight. The CCB system significantly reduces weight, which improves dynamics and comfort.
It’s a fantasy, but only to people who don’t have gobs of hedge-fund money. Those with the cash will be satisfied with the reality