By extensive use of lightweight materials such as carbon fibre and polycarbonate, as well as a tuned engine with another 10 HP, the Sant’Agata Bolognese company has produced the fastest Gallardo yet.

Named ‘Superleggera’ (Italian for ‘superlight’) Lamborghini claims the car ‘has the fastest acceleration in its class’. It reduces the standard car’s 4.0 secs 0 - 100 km/h down to 3.8, just a whisker under the Ferrari 430 F1’s 4.0 secs. No maximum speed is quoted.

The newest version of the Gallardo includes a standard robotized mechanical ‘e-gear’ gearbox, enabling fast gear shifting without the driver removing their hands from the steering wheel. The engine is the latest version of Lamborghini’s well-known 4,961 cm3 V10. Now 530 hp is achieved at 8,000 rpm. The increase in power was made possible by the engine’s improved volumetric efficiency through reduced intake load losses and by exhaust backpressures, together with optimized electronic control.

Lamborghini engineers have reduced the standard car’s weight when empty (1,430 kg) by another 100 kg using advanced materials and technologies. The engine hood is made of unpainted carbon fibre and transparent polycarbonate, a type of material that guarantees lightness - and also shows off the magnificent V10. The rear diffuser and underbody covering, the rear view mirrors, door panels and the central tunnel’s covering are also made of carbon fibre.

Further reductions in weight were achieved by replacing certain glass surfaces with transparent polycarbonate. For the interior, the monocoque carbon fibre sports seats are covered in Alcantara® for extra security and stability during the high cornering speeds this car is capable of.

The car is available in four colours: Midas Yellow, Borealis Orange, Telesto Gray and Noctis Black. Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres are standard on new Scorpius forged rims. A few of the options that can be requested include the multimedia system with navigation and CD-changer; a rear video camera to make parking easier (with optional rear wing only); a Carbon accessories kit for the interior; a fixed rear spoiler; a four-point seatbelt (not for USA); tubular rear frame or fitting points for later inclusion (not for USA, Japan or Middle East); and carbon-ceramic brakes.

The new Gallardo Superleggera can be ordered through the dealer network starting March 2007: production volumes will be restricted to lower numbers than the standard Gallardo.

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Lamborghini