The Lamborghini Gallardo (; ) is a sports car built by the Italian automotive manufacturer Lamborghini from 2003 to 2013. It is Lamborghini's second car released under parent company Audi, and the best-selling model at the time with 14,022 built throughout its production run.Lamborghini Gallardo production ends on No. 14,022 – AutoBlog, 26 November 2013 Named after a famous breed of fighting bull, the V10 powered Gallardo was Lamborghini's sales leader and stable-mate to a succession of V12 flagship models—first to the Murciélago (4,099 built between 2001 and 2010), then to the Aventador, being the first entry-level Lamborghini in one-and-half decades. On 25 November 2013, the last Gallardo was rolled off the production line. The Lamborghini Gallardo was replaced by the Lamborghini Huracán in 2014.
Overview
After Megatech purchased Automobili Lamborghini S.P.A in 1994, Italdesign Giugiaro was hired to design concept cars to replace their existing models. One of the concepts built by them was the Calà, intended to replace the Jalpa. It was displayed at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show.
After the Volkswagen Group took hold of the company in 1998, the Lamborghini Gallardo was built on the basis of the Calà and had many features absorbed from the concept car such as the exterior design and the traditional V10 engine.
The car name is taken from the 18th century Spanish bullfighting breeder Francisco Gallardo. It means "gallant".
Specifications
Models Coupé 2003–2005Coupé 2006–2008 Spyder 2006–2008 Superleggera LP 560-4 LP 560-4 Spyder LP 550-2 rear wheel drive LP 570-4 Superleggera Edizione Tecnica/Performante Spyder DOHC 4 valves per cylinder V10 engine Displacement, type , even firing , odd firing Power at rpm at 7,800 at 8,000 at 8,000 at 8,000 at 8,000 at 8,000 Torque at rpm at 4,500 at 4,250 at 6,500 Performance 0 to (sec) 4.2 4.0 4.33.8 3.7 4.0 3.9 (4.2 Spyder) 3.4 (3.9 Spyder) 0 to (sec) 14.513.614.312.49.511.710.6 ? 1/4 mile 12.4 s at 12.1 s at – 11.7 s at 11.2 s at (R&T) 11.9 s at (MT) 12 s at 11.5 s at (R&T) 11.5 s at (MT) – Top speed Awards and recognition 2006 Top Gear Dream Car of the Year 2009 Top Gear Car of the Year – Lamborghini LP 550-2 Balboni
Gallardo (2003–2008) Lamborghini Gallardo Coupe
The original Gallardo was powered with an even firing 90 degree V10 engine generating a maximum power output of at 7500 rpm and of torque at 4500 rpm. The Gallardo was offered with two choices of transmission; a conventional (H-pattern) six-speed manual transmission, and a six-speed electro-hydraulically actuated single-clutch automated manual transmission that Lamborghini called "E-gear". Both gearboxes were built by Graziano Trasmissioni. The "E-gear" transmission provides gear changes more quickly than could be achieved through a manual shift. The driver shifts up and down via paddles behind the steering wheel, but can also change to an automatic mode via the gear selector located in place of the gear shift lever. The vehicle was designed by Luc Donckerwolke and was based on the 1995 Calà concept designed by Italdesign Giugiaro.
2005 Coupé update For the 2006 model year (launched in late 2005), Lamborghini introduced many changes to the car to counter some criticisms garnered from the press and owners. The exhaust system was changed to a more sporty one (including a flap to make it quieter during city driving), the suspension was revised, a new steering rack was fitted, the engine power was increased by 20 PS to a maximum of , and the biggest change was overall lower gearing ratios, especially in 1st to 5th gear. These changes gave the car a much better performance than the original and were also included in the limited edition Gallardo SE.
Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
The convertible variant of the Gallardo, called the Gallardo Spyder, was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. It was considered by the company to be an entirely new model, with the engine having a power output of and a low-ratio six-speed manual transmission. The Spyder has a retractable soft-top.
Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
At the 2007 Geneva Auto Show,AutoBlog.com, Geneva Motor Show: Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera Lamborghini unveiled the Gallardo Superleggera. The name paid tribute to the construction style of the first Lamborghini production model, the 350 GT, designed and built by Carrozzeria Touring and its emphasis on weight reduction. The Superleggera is lighter than the base model by due to the use of carbon fiber panels for the rear diffuser, undertray, the rearview-mirror housings, the interior door panels, the central tunnel, engine cover; titanium wheel nuts and carbon fibre sports seats. The engine power was uprated by courtesy of an improved intake, exhaust and ECU for a total power output of . The 6-speed E-Gear transmission was standard on US spec models with the 6-speed manual transmission offered as a no cost option. Production of the Superleggera was limited to 618 units worldwide.
Recall Lamborghini recalled about 1,500 Gallardo Coupé and Spyder models, from model years 2004 to 2006, because of the possibility of power steering fluid leaking and the risk of fire. The cars were built from May 2003 through April 2008.
Facelift (2008–2013) Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4
Presented at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the Gallardo LP 560-4 was a significant update of the Gallardo, powered by a new, uneven firing V10 engine that produces at 8,000 rpm and of torque at 6,500 rpm. Featuring "Iniezione Diretta Stratificata" direct fuel injection system to improve efficiency; fuel consumption and CO2 emissions were reduced by 18% despite the increase in performance. The car was redesigned, inspired by the Murciélago LP 640 and its derivative model the Reventón.
The new engine, more powerful than in the previous car, comes with two transmission choices: a 6-speed manual or 6-speed E-gear, the latter of which was revised to offer a Corsa mode which makes 40% quicker shifts than before and decreases traction control restrictions, a Thrust Mode launch control system was also added. Accompanied with a weight reduction. All the improvements add up to a claimed performance of 0– in 3.7 seconds, 0– of 11.8 and a top speed of . Car and Driver tested the LP 560-4 in January 2009 and achieved a 0– time of 3.2 seconds.
The MSRP base price was $198,000 in the US and £147,330 (including NavTrak vehicle tracking system and delivery package) in the UK.AutoBlog.com, Lamborghini prices Gallardo LP560-4 for UK, releases new pics The first US car was sold in the 16th Annual Race to Erase MS charity auction for $198,000 to former True Religion Jeans co-founder/co-creator Kymberly Gold and music producer Victor Newman.AutoBlog.com, First US-bound Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder raises $202k at charity auction
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder
The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder was unveiled at the 2008 LA Auto Show.AutoBlog.com, LA 2008: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder unveiled Live as the replacement for the previous Gallardo Spyder. It is the convertible model of the Gallardo LP 560-4 and as such possess all of its features like the new uneven firing V10 engine, improved E-gear transmission and weight reduction. Performance has been improved to 0- in 3.8 seconds, 0- in 13.1 seconds, and a top speed of .
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera (2010–2013)
In March 2010, Lamborghini announced the release of the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, a lightweight and more powerful version of the Gallardo LP 560–4 in the same vein as the previous Superleggera. With carbon fibre used extensively inside and out to reduce weight to , making it the lightest road-going Lamborghini in the range. The odd firing 5.2 L V10 on the LP 570-4 got a power bump over the standard Gallardo to at 8,000 rpm and at 6,500 rpm of torque. Performance has been improved to 0- in 3.2 seconds, and a top speed.
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante (2011)
In November 2010, Lamborghini announced the LP 570-4 Spyder Performante, a convertible version of the LP 570-4 Superleggera. Employing the same odd firing 5.2L V10 and with a curb weight of , heavier than the coupé as usual with coupé based convertibles, the LP 570-4 Spyder Performante goes from 0 to in 3.9 seconds, to in 12.0 seconds and has a top speed of .Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante 10 January 2018 auto-data.net
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Coupé, LP 550–2 AD (2010–2013)
Following the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni and LP 550-2 Bicolore special editions, the LP 550-2 Coupé was offered by Lamborghini in the 2011 model year as the lowest-priced model in the Gallardo line-up. The rear-wheel-drive LP 550-2 Coupé is distinguished by unique black side skirts and "LP 550-2" badging, suspension tuning borrowed from the Valentino Balboni edition, and came equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission with E-gear available as a cost option.
The LP 550–2 AD is based on the LP 550-2 Coupé with Ad Personam customization, which includes transparent engine cover, engine room LED lighting, diamond pattern leather interior upholstery, travel package.
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder (2011–2013)
In 2012, the LP 550-2 Spyder was introduced with the same specifications as the Coupé, as the lowest priced Spyder model.
The vehicle was unveiled in Balboni Ginza Tower.
Equipment Marrone Apus (matte brown), Giallo Horus (matte gold), Nero Nemesis (matte black), Bianco Canopus (matte white) body colors were introduced to the Taiwan market on 10 August 2010.
Reception In a test drive of the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni, the test driver bearing the name of the car said he was against E-gear because it takes some amount of vehicle control away from the driver, and all-wheel drive Lamborghinis from the beginning and the company was divided over AWD cars. In that review, an LP 550–2 with E-Gear was tested.
Marketing As part of the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera launch in Taiwan, Jean-Michel Lorain of the La Côte Saint Jacques restaurant was invited by Taiwan Lamborghini dealer Gramus International Co., Ltd. and Taiwan American Express company to cook French meals at The Landis Taipei Paris 1930 between 1 December 2010 and 4 December 2010, and at the Le Moût restaurant between 6 December 2010 and 9 December 2010, with a Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera Nero Nemesis unveiled at the 1st-floor lounge of The Landis Taipei hotel. In addition, for Lamborghini buyers using an American Express card until 31 December 2010, all Lamborghini vehicles got an order price of 2 million NTD, and Lamborghini LP 570-4 Superleggera Nero Nemesis buyers using an American Express Centurion card can purchase the vehicle for 17,880,000 NTD.
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2, LP 560-4 Edizione Tecnica (2012–2013)
At the end of its production run, Lamborghini produced special editions of the Gallardo featuring parts from its Gallardo Super Trofeo race cars. These editions were based on all the basic variants of the Gallardo and the cars receiving such modifications were given the Edizione Technica designation in addition to their names.
Changes to the Gallardo LP 560-4 and the LP 550-2 includes revised front fascias with triangular and trapezoidal forms with diagonal elements in body color and black, larger air intakes ahead of the front wheels, new 19-inch "Apollo polished" alloy wheels in matte black with spokes in polished silver, redesigned rear end with a wider surface area, optional Style Package (high-gloss black paintwork on the underside of the front spoiler, front and rear grilles and the transverse element of the rear trim).
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Edizione Tecnica (2012–2013)