2008 Lamborghini Gallardo - Review

For years, Ferrari’s lightweight models have been getting all the attention, but with the F430 Scuderia still several months away Lamborghini has been basking in the spotlight thanks to its own Gallardo Superleggera (“Super Light”) model. Lamborghini’s new model been on sale since its debut back at March’s Geneva Motor Show and has quickly garnered a reputation for being one of the most potent cars it has produced since the Diablo GTR. The lightened Gallardo is a car that oozes performance, from its aggressive carbon-fiber wing to its gaping side intakes and muscular stance. According to the results of our test center the car weighs just a feather over 1,500kg (with the full fuel load), but the difference of 100kg between it and the heavier Gallardo S.E. is something that shouldn’t be underrated.

The already excellent acceleration time from 0-100km/h for the standard Gallardo has come down from 3.88 seconds to just 3.59 seconds for the Superleggera, and the time to reach the one kilometer mark is a scorching 21.23 seconds against the previous car’s 21.61 seconds. Above all, the appeal of driving and the ease of handling has benefited the most from the car’s meticulous diet, to the point that we’re forced to establish a new point of reference for the Superleggera’s performance on the scale of the world’s greatest supercars. To bring the Raging Bull to rest, a set of massive carbon-ceramic discs can be applied as an option.

Styling and Exterior

For a Gallardo to drive by unnoticed is already very difficult, however the visual upgrades in the new Superleggera make it damn near impossible. Clear giveaways that this isn’t your everyday run-of-the-mill Gallardo are the flashy black sidebands, huge rear wing, side-mirrors, skirts and rear-diffuser all dressed in carbon-fiber. Stopping at a set of traffic lights is guaranteed to magnetize onlookers, springing forth the usual questions: how much does it cost, what’s the horsepower and how fast can it go? Some of the more daring will even ask enthusiastically for a quick test drive.