Frankfurt show: Gallardo Squadra Corse revealed

LAMBORGHINI has unleashed a special edition version of the Gallardo at the Frankfurt show as it prepares to say arrivederci to its 10-year old Gallardo nameplate.

Named after Lamborghini’s newly founded motorsport department, the LP 570-4 Squadra Corse is based on the Gallardo racer from the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo one-make series.

Power comes from the massive 419kW/540Nm 5.2-litre V10 engine from the LP 570-4 Superleggera, propelling the 1340kg supercar from zero to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds and 200km/h in 10.4 seconds before hitting a top speed of 320km/h.

This matches the 0-100km/h time of the Supperleggera but shaves 0.2 seconds off its 0-200km/h sprint time.

The Squadra Corse drives all four wheels via its ‘e-gear’ six-speed transmission that is operated via paddle shifters. Lambo says the electronically controlled system “shifts through its six gears smoothly and much faster than any professional racing driver could.”

The Italian supercar-maker is calling it the “most extreme model in the Gallardo line-up” and as well as sharing the same engine as the racer, the Squadra Corse features the same rear wing for improved aerodynamics and better dynamic stability and a carbon composite removable bonnet.

Lamborghini has tweaked the exterior styling, giving the Gallardo an even more hardcore look with the rear wing finished in matte black, while the front air intakes, rear diffuser, bonnet and 19-inch wheels feature high gloss black finish.

The Squadra Corse wears its heritage proudly, with a green, white and red decal strip along the flanks depicting the Italian flag. Buyers have a choice of body colours, including yellow, white, grey or red and they can even select the colour of the brake callipers - red, black or yellow.

Carbon-fibre is used heavily throughout the cabin to keep weight at a minimum, with the racing seats, door panels, and centre console cover all made from the lightweight material.

The other dominant material in the cabin is Alcantara and it can be found everywhere from the seat cushions and backrest to the underside of the dashboard.

Lamborghini has not confirmed whether the limited-run Squadra Corse will be the last ever Gallardo variant, but the release of its replacement late next year suggests it could be the nameplate’s swansong.

Meanwhile, the first spy pics of the long-awaited Gallardo replacement hit the web last week, with the heavily camouflaged prototype spotted undergoing testing in Europe.

Lamborghini is rumoured to be readying the car – widely tipped to be called Cabrera - for a debut at the Geneva motor show in March next year.

English publication Autocar has reported that the new model will share lightweight components with fellow sister company Audi’s R8 replacement that is due in 2015.

It will be slightly longer, but maintain a similar height and width to the Gallardo and will feature exterior styling influenced by the edgy Sesto Elemento concept that debuted at the Paris motor show in 2010.