The Lamborghini Gallardo

Over the years, I've been partial to Lamborghini sports cars. Who wouldn't really? Power, speed, excess and prestige are all hallmarks of this super elite brand. To be exact, I love the Lamborghini Gallardo, named after a special breed of fighting bull. First announced in 2000, the car finally made an appearance at the International Motor Show Geneva in 2003. What was even more exiting about this newly awaited model, was the price tag, as it was considered to be more affordable than previous models. In fact, the company had created this model to appeal to a less expensive market segment with the hopes of selling at least twelve-hundred units per year.

The first version was equipped with the V-10 engine and six-speed transmission. A solid 500 horsepower, maximum speeds were in the neighborhood of 190mph. One feature that made the Gallardo quite impressive in comparison to competitors was the super light aluminum space frame. Additionally, previous Lamborghinis sported eighteen inch tires, whereas the new Gallardo had not only nineteen inch regular tires, but also optional winter tires. According to press releases at the time, the car was to sell for the same price point throughout all of Europe which was another change from older Lamborghini models.

Since that first model was released there have been several designs launched in various years, including the Gallardo SE (Special Edition) (2005), LP 560-4 Spyder (2006), LP 570-4 Superleggera (2007), Gallardo Nera Special Edition (2007), LP 560-4 (2008), LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni (2009), LP 570-4 Spyder Performante (2010), and the Bicolore (2011). Some eleven years later since the first announcement was made about the Gallardo, Lamborghini has certainly succeeded in its goal to increase sales, as the latest numbers show that the Gallardo is the best selling model the car manufacturer has ever built.

One of the many goals of the engineers when creating the Lamborghini Gallardo, was to ensure that the car was just as comfortable on the race track, as it was on regular roads, both in the city and in the country. The creators wanted to maintain the prestige of the Lamborghini badge, while at the same time, appeal to those individuals who could afford the car for everyday use. A two-seater vehicle, the interior is elegant and stately with fine leather and soft trimmings. Some say that the interiors have gotten progressively nicer since Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group holdings, has had some say in the furnishings.

The exterior is sharp looking as always, and the newest model, the 2011 Bicolore, made exclusively for European dealerships and the Asia-Pacific region, sports a two-tone finish in choice of five body colors and black roof. Skorpius aluminum-alloy rims and fifteen spokes finish the design off handsomely. In a January 2011 press release, the CEO describes the Bicolore as a sports car that "combines volcanic energy with design that is as unique as it is stylish".

Indeed, there is no doubt that each version of the Gallardo is special in its own right, and no-one can dispute the appeal of the Lamborghini Gallardo, regardless of the year in which they were produced.