Catchy title, n'est-ce pas? Now, what would possess me to introduce such a hot car as such? I'll explain a little further down. First off, this is a track test review of one of the cars that has long since captured my attention, so you won't hear about fit and finish and how well the nav system works.
The Gallardo is everything I always thought a performance car should be. Upon introduction, the compact Lambo had a mid-mounted V10 and AWD going for it. Wrapped in a sumptuously provocative Italian shell, the Gallardo was a star from the moment it was conceived – still is.
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| The Gallardo is everything I always thought a performance car should be. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
I've wanted to drive one from that very instant. Much like Ferrari, I never thought I was going to be given an opportunity to drive one, let alone rip one around a track, but I have.
The Gallardo started out as an enticing car with a 493-hp 5.0L V10, but by the time the ink had dried on the first brochures, Lamborghini was upping the ante with new, more powerful versions, all of them based on the current 5.2L V10. As the car is expected to be replaced soon, on the heels of the new
Aventador, the next entry-level Lambo is being preceded by ever more powerful iterations – just like the latest $248,000USD LP 570-4 Spyder Performante.
This car is the ultimate roadster from the maker based in Sant'Agata, Italy. Its starting point is the LP 570-4 Superleggera which, as the name indicates, is a more powerful, lighter Gallardo. Now although the Spyder Performante is roughly 300 lbs (140 kg) heavier than the coupe, it still tips the scales at 140 lbs (65 kg) less than the “conventional” Spyder. Remember, weight is the enemy. Henry Ford knew that 110 years ago.
You probably know that the numbers following the LP indicate the PS output. For our North American minds, 570 PS works out to 562 hp. The other important number is the “4” which tells you that this Gallardo is AWD. In fact, of all the production Gallardos, only the Valentino Balboni and Bicolore editions are RWD.
This kind of power and potential traction translates into a car that is a phenomenal performer on a track. There is one major problem here and it's called “E-Gear,” which is standard fare in the Performante.
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| Now although the Spyder Performante is roughly 300 lbs (140 kg) heavier than the coupe, it still tips the scales at 140 lbs (65 kg) less than the “conventional” Spyder. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
