IMSA unleashes the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560 GTV

Last July IMSA unveiled what has to be one of the most restrained modification efforts ever to touch a Lamborghini. The underlying concept is marrying Italian design with German engineering - not such an odd concept considering Lamborghini's VW Group parentage. Now they've added to their portfolio with a more powerful GTV variant of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4.

Deciding that the car looked wild enough from the factory, IMSA contented itself with pushing power up to 600hp (448kW), a rise of 16hp (12kW) over the last IMSA Gallardo and up 40hp (30kW) over the factory output. So far just the one photo preview has been released, but the older model is shown below for comparison.

Exterior modifications are limited to a very mild body kit, which adds some sharpness to car's look but doesn't distract from its fabulous lines - slightly wider fenders, a massaged front apron and rear diffuser all made from carbon fiber. A custom set of double-spoke locking alloy wheels finishes off the exterior treatment.

A custom adjustable suspension and upgraded brakes - eight pistons up front, six in the rear - offer improved performance beyond what comes in the reworked 5.2L V10.

The inside is where most modifications are to be found, however. A combination of alcantara and leather upgrade the seating and many of the control surfaces, while aluminum and lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) enhance the cabin's trim. The end result comes together in what IMSA artfully calls a "haptic climax."