Sydney Show: Lightweight Lambo lobs

LAMBORGHINI Gallardo buyers now have two new models to choose from – at both ends of the supercar’s price spectrum.

As well as the highly anticipated Gallardo range-topping LP570-4 Superleggera, which is priced at $542,500 plus on-road costs, Lamborghini Australia will introduce a new entry-level version of its least expensive model at the Sydney motor show on Friday.

Based on the two-wheel-drive Valentino Balboni limited edition coupe launched here in July last year, the new LP550-2 is priced from ‘only’ $399,000, taking the Gallardo back to its 2004 launch price.

Left: Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera. Below: Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2.

But the real Sydney show-stopper for enthusiasts will be the all-wheel-drive Superleggera (Italian for super-light), the first few examples of which have been in the country for more than a month but which has not been formally launched here.

Only 15 examples will come to Australia and six have already been sold according to Lamborghini Australia sales manager Tom Dowd.

Revealed at the Geneva motor show in March, the LP570-4 Superleggera is 70kg lighter than the Gallardo LP560-4, making it the lightest car in Lamborghini’s line-up, and gets a 7kW boost in power to 419kW (562 horsepower – hence the 570 model nomenclature), though torque remains at 540Nm.

With less weight and more power from the 5.2-litre dry-sump V10, the new Superleggera can sprint from rest to 100km/h in just 3.4 seconds, then on to 200km/h in 10.2 seconds and a top speed of 325km/h.

Matched with Lamborghini’s E-Gear transmissions as standard, the lightweight Gallardo is also claimed to offer improved response and in-gear acceleration, as well as lower average fuel consumption (13.5L/100km) and CO2 emissions (319 grams per kilometre).

Lamborghini Australia managing director Andrew Smith said the company’s latest offering will be among the most popular vehicles at this year’s show.

“The new Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera brings together the very best Lamborghini has to offer – both extreme power and precise functionality,” he said.

“With an almost unrivalled 0-100km/h acceleration time and exclusivity at a premium, our latest Gallardo will no doubt draw large crowds when the motor show opens later this week.

“The show will be the first opportunity for the general public to see the vehicle. With only a limited number coming to Australia, it will be a rare experience.” The latest superlight-badged Gallardo coupe – revealed in lime-green paint at Geneva but set to appear in black in Sydney – follows the first Superleggera version in 2007, when the Italian supercar maker sold no fewer than 618 examples globally.

Most of the 70kg weight reduction comes from the use of carbon-fibre exterior and interior components, including the centre console, door panels and seat shells, plus exterior sill covers, mirror casings, rear diffuser, underbody panels and the standard rear spoiler.

The rear windscreen, side windows and engine cover are made from polycarbonate, while the forged aluminium wheels with titanium wheel bolts help to cut 13kg.

Other changes for the Superleggera include a more pronounced V-shaped nose with daytime running lights, reinforced mounts for the dampers and anti-roll bars, 19-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero Corsa ‘race’ tyres (235/35 ZR19 front, 295/30 ZR19 rear), upgraded brakes and Alcantara seat trim instead of the regular Gallardo’s leather interior.