To the outside observer, Lamborghini and Ferrari may appear to be peas in a pod, and while the two exotic automakers may arrive at similar points, they come from completely different directions. While Ferrari remains essentially a racing team that produces road cars to support their motorsport campaigns, sporadic privateer entries notwithstanding, Lamborghini has never had the same degree of racing pedigree. That may be about to change, however. This year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance highlighted Lamborghini as a featured marque, and the guys over at Garage419 had a chance to talk with Stefan Winkelmann. The Lamborghini CEO revealed that the company is preparing a full-on factory racing program, and though details are still a few weeks away, Winkelmann said the factory racing effort would start in Europe. Winkelmann also dispelled rumors of a potential RWD-only variant of the new Gallardo LP560-4, as well as a Superleggera version, saying that Lamborghini had no such plans for the time being.
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When Jaguar's "Gorgeous" campaign TV ads came out a few years back with the XK, some ad critics questioned the none-too-subtle message they contained: older, distinguished gentleman gets to frolic with beautiful young women when he drives this car. Whether or not that's the case -- concerning the ad or in real life -- a new Lamborghini commercial with Sam Hubinette takes that same riff and, being Lamborghini, pushes it even further.
Hubinette and some wet, downtown LA roads show what the car can do, and the spot also shows what the car has. Boasting "features like no other," the first one of which is a Phone Number Collecting Set that appears to specialize in tall brunettes, the car also has an Anti-Boredom Assistant (that engine, a Talk of the Town Guarantee, and a Gets Into All Clubs function0. And that's all before you order it in Giallo Halys (that's Lamborghini-speak for "yellow.") Follow the jump to check out the video and the powerslides.
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After circumnavigating the whole of the Geneva expo center, a strange force drew us to a minimalistic booth on the west side of the complex. There, we were afforded our first live glimpse of Lamborghini's newest exotica, the Gallardo LP560-4. As its name implies, the gussied-up Gallardo is sporting 560 hp from its new, direct-injected 5.2-liter V10. Hacking off 20 kilos from the curb weight allows the LP560-4 to rocket to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 201 mph, all the while increasing fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions by some 18-percent.
Though the 2008 Geneva Motor Show doesn't officially start until tomorrow, the show floor is open and it's amazing what you can find just parked out in the open. Some Geneva show-goers, for instance, have already caught the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 uncovered at Lamborghini's display. While we won't have any official info from the Raging Bull until tomorrow, reports speculate that the car's name is derived from its new 5.2L direct-inject V10 producing 560 PS (552 hp), and its four-wheel-drive system. The new engine, expected to become the Gallardo's sole motor eventually, is reportedly derived from the same V10 in the Audi RS6 Avant. The new LP560-4 is also said to be lighter than a standard Gallardo by some 20kg (44 lbs.), and features some important styling tweaks to the now five-year-old coupe.
While the exterior upgrades are minimal, once spotted they jump out at you. Up front are what appear to be new headlights, as well as a third intake or inlet that possibly directs air underneath the car. Positioned front, center and low between the two larger intakes, the new inlet adds some angles to the front end that are very reminiscent of the angular Reventon. Lamborghini has also added new vertical intakes ahead of the front wheels, though otherwise the profile remains the same except for new (and gorgeous) wheels. The largest exterior alteration is the rear end, which has been totally redone. The taillights are wider and shorter, a black grille stretches the entire expanse of the rear, and a pair of dual exhausts now exit within a black housing above a purposeful looking rear diffuser.
Reports circulating the automotive webdom suggest that the new version of the Gallardo which Lamborghini will be unveiling next week in Geneva will be called the LP560-4. Whereas previous reports indicated a LP550 nameplate, the LP560-4 designation draws on the new car's reported metric power rating of 560 PS – equivalent to 552hp – with the 4 designating the four-wheel-drive system. This latter addition is not present on previous Lamborghini model nomenclature, including the Murcielago, whose second iteration was similarly named LP640, without the additional 4 despite the traction at all wheels. (We wonder if Lamborghini decided to forgo the 550 numerology because arch-rival Ferrari used it on a contemporary model.) Meanwhile, AutoWeek reports that the new Gallardo's engine is more closely related to that of the Audi RS6: a more durable 5.2-liter V10 with FSI direct-injection, replacing the outgoing Gallardo's 5-liter unit.
The revised nomenclature comes from quotes attributed to Lambo chief Stephan Winkelmann, and accompanies the conceptual rendering you see above, although neither appears on the company's press site. Whatever the banner under which the new Gallardo will drive, it not only itself helps Lamborghini directly live up to its promise of a new model at each major auto show, but opens to the door to new future variants, which are likely to include a new Spyder and possibly a new Superleggera. We'll continue to keep our eyes and ears open.
