Photos of 2010 Dodge Challenger in Detonator...
Lamborghini prepping Gallardo facelift and new LP550

Lamborghini prepping Gallardo facelift and new LP550

Ralph Hanson February 13th, 2008 Ralph Hanson By Ralph Hanson Author February 13th, 2008
  • Articles Contributed: 1801
  • Comments Posted: 0
  • Leaderboard Rank: N/A

December 31st, 1969 Lamborghini’s entry-level Gallardo supercar has been on the market relatively unchanged for almost five years now, so as part of the car’s midlife update designers will be giving it a slight facelift and add a new flagship version as well. Set to appear at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini is tipped to unveil a new high-performance Gallardo LP550 complete with a 5.2L V10 powerplant. The new engine will feature FSI direct-injection technology and develop up to 550hp and 390lb-ft of torque, 30hp and 15lb-ft more than the current 5.0L mill, reports Edmunds. Engineers will be utilizing some of the technologies developed for the powertrain in the R8 and upcoming RS4, including significant changes to the gearbox and permanent all-wheel-drive system. The LP550 will be available with both a manual or optional e-gear sequential transmission, both of which have been revised to send more power and torque to a lighter and more efficient AWD system. Chassis stiffness and brake components have also been improved, according to the source. The facelifted model will feature totally new front and rear bumpers but most of the car, including the interior, will be left relatively unchanged. Pictured above is a race-spec version of the current model, which competes in the GT3 class.
Lamborghini prepping Gallardo facelift and new LP550

Lamborghini prepping Gallardo facelift and new LP550

Enlarge Photo

Lamborghini’s entry-level Gallardo supercar has been on the market relatively unchanged for almost five years now, so as part of the car’s midlife update designers will be giving it a slight facelift and add a new flagship version as well. Set to appear at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini is tipped to unveil a new high-performance Gallardo LP550 complete with a 5.2L V10 powerplant.

The new engine will feature FSI direct-injection technology and develop up to 550hp and 390lb-ft of torque, 30hp and 15lb-ft more than the current 5.0L mill, reports Edmunds. Engineers will be utilizing some of the technologies developed for the powertrain in the R8 and upcoming RS4, including significant changes to the gearbox and permanent all-wheel-drive system.

The LP550 will be available with both a manual or optional e-gear sequential transmission, both of which have been revised to send more power and torque to a lighter and more efficient AWD system. Chassis stiffness and brake components have also been improved, according to the source.

The facelifted model will feature totally new front and rear bumpers but most of the car, including the interior, will be left relatively unchanged. Pictured above is a race-spec version of the current model, which competes in the GT3 class.

Tags: Supercars

Posted in: 2008, Lamborghini, News, Gallardo


Comments (5 total)

Meet the top commenters on the Leaderboard

  1. By SuperSkyline89 #1, Posted: 2/13/2008

    It looks kind of weird, The black piece on the sides of the front bumper and the spoiler. The Superleggera looks much better.

  2. By CK #2, Posted: 2/13/2008

    The big side intakes in the front bumper are for brake cooling. Just an example of form follows function. But how could you say that the rear spoiler on the superleggera looks good? It is the most annoying thing I have ever seen on an italien sportscar. It ruins the whole design of the car and looks as cheap as something a kid got for his civic sedan from ebay.

  3. By Alan #3, Posted: 2/13/2008

    This is just a GT3 racing version, not the upcoming model, so the intake are there for functional purposes. I'm still hoping for a RWD Gallardo, but looks like it won't happen with Audi ownership.

  4. By SuperSkyline89 #4, Posted: 2/13/2008

    "looks as cheap as something a kid got for his civic sedan from ebay"

    Really, so your saying a small subtle carbon fibre spoiler looks just as bad as a huge crappy plastic spoiler? The spoiler on the Superleggera is almost unnoticeable on a gunmetal grey (or whatever fancy name they have for it) Gallardo.

  5. By CK #5, Posted: 2/13/2008

    Yes I am saying that. It just does not match to the design of the car which is very clean with many straight lines. And then they stick this thing on the back. It just looks like aftermarket crap and not something a sophisticated designer would have fitted to the car. This is for me the only downside of the Superleggera. Interesting would be how much more drag the car gets form the extra wing.

Post a Comment

Post anonymously
Sign In |
will stay private
your 'posted by' name will link to the URL

More from MotorAuthority

More from High Gear Media