Thursday, July 2, 2009

Lamborghini officially unveils Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni

Yesterday, Lamborghini has officially unveiled details about their special-edition Gallardo - the Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni.

Named after Lamborghini's famed test driver Valentino Balboni, the new Gallardo LP 550-2 is essentially a RWD-only version of Lamborghini's all-wheel drive LP 560-4. To ensure the LP 550-2 delivers an outstanding driving experience, Lamborghini added unique springs, dampers, stabilizers, and new tires. Other updates include a revised e-gear transmission (a six-speed manual comes standard), an upgraded rear axle with a 45 percent limited slip differential, and a modified ESP system which enables greater drift angles in CORSA mode.

Power comes from a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine that produces 550 hp (405 kW). While it has 10 hp less than the LP 560-4, Gallardo LP 550-2 runs from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds before hitting a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph). However, with a dry weight of just 3,035lb (1,380kg), the LP550-2 is set to take its place as a top performer despite its 'lack' of AWD.

In terms of styling, the car also includes a special exterior and interior treatment, with a center stripe reminiscent of sports cars of the 1970s. The vehicle is available in eight colors, from Bianco Monocerus through to Verde Ithaca, or Arancio Borealis to Nero Noctis. The Scorpius wheels retain their dark grey finish, while the brake calipers come in black, orange or yellow, depending on the exterior paint finish.

The basic color of the full leather upholstery is black. Both seats, however, feature the color strip in white. The center console is completely upholstered in Polar white leather to create a powerful accent. A badge below the left side window bears the signature of Valentino Balboni and the production number of the car. Other unique touches include a transparent engine cover, and a standard GPS navigation system with Bluetooth connectivity.

The special edition Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni will be priced from €162,000 in Europe, £137,900 in the UK, and $219,800 in the US. Only about 250 units of the LP550-2 are to be built.

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