Lamborghini Gallardo

The Lamborghini Gallardo is a luxury sports car manufactured by Lamborghini. As of today, the Gallardo is the most popular model of Lamborghini, with over 10 000 having been constructed. The name comes from a famous fighting bull breed. The Lamborghini Gallardo hits all the right notes for a high-performance car with an exotic look. It received a solid, if not excellent, 8.0 rating from The Car Connection.

Performance

The Lamborghini Gallardo model is powered by a mid-mounted 5.2-liter V10 engine. All models receive a six-speed, single-clutch automated manual transmission with the exception of the Gallardo LP550-2, which receives a six-speed manual transmission. Buyers have the option of adding the automated manual transmission to all 550 models. The LP650-4 model produces 560 horsepower to go with 397 pound-feet of torque. All other models generate 550 horsepower. The Lamborghini Gallardo checks in at an EPA-estimated 12 mpg for city driving and 20 mpg for highway driving, decent figures for its class. While it is slightly less nimble than some competitors, its overall performance is excellent, and exactly what you would expect from an exotic sports car.

Interior

The Lamborghini Gallardo provides a liveable, but not excellent cabin. Soft-touch leather material adorns most of the interior, but the multimedia driver interface, gauges and the switchgear all look as though they were pulled from a broken down Audi. The Gallardo does offer supportive and comfortable seats, however, and the driving position is fundamentally sound. While the interior may not be mind blowing, the steering wheel is terrific. It feels excellent and is totally devoid of buttons. Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, power seats, an auto-dimming rearveiw mirror, leather upholstery, and a four-speaker stereo with a CD player. Optional features include heated seats, a navigation system, a rearview camera and upgraded audio with iPod integration. The Travel package adds a luggage net behind the seats and extra cupholders.

Pros/Cons

The Lamborghini Gallardo’s multimedia interface leaves something to be desired to say the least. The control knob and other buttons are placed right beside the screen, rather than near the shifter, which requires too much attention from the driver. Not only is this inconvenient, it reduces safety. The interior also lacks space for in-cabin items, and the front trunk only has room for a weekend bag. Still, if you are trying to transport cargo with the Gallardo, you may have the wrong vehicle. Lastly, at over $200 000, the Lamborghini Gallardo costs an arm and a leg. It comes in many different variations, however, allowing buyers to choose the specific specs they want. All variations are quick, and can get to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. They also carry a top speed of over 200 mph. The dramatic wedge shape and eye-popping colors look fantastic and will turn heads. The seats are comfortable, although the car is low to the ground, and the low roof can make it difficult to get into.

Other Features

The Lamborghini Gallardo price depends entirely on the specific variation. For example, the LP570-4 models come in at around $250 000, while the LP560-4 models come in at around $200 000. Compared to other sports cars, the Gallardo has decent safety features, coming standard with anti-lock brakes, side airbags with head protection, and stability control. Buyers have the option of adding a rearview camera. The seatbelts come with pre-tensioners, which automatically tighten the belt during a collision to ensure the driver or passenger is in an optimal seating position. Other features include a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a nose-raising suspension for curb clearance, power-folding outside mirrors, and bi-xenon headlights. The Lamborghini website has more information on the Gallardo and each variation specifically.