2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Review

The exotic 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo sports car comes in two body styles, coupe and Spyder, with the new Superleggera as coupe only. With a 520-horsepower (530 horsepower on the Superleggera), 5.0L V10 engine powering less than 3,500 pounds, both body styles are among the fastest production vehicles on the market today. The Spyder can accelerate to 62 mph in only 4.3 seconds and can go 195 mph with the top up.

The Gallardo's V10 engine, mounted over the rear wheels, follows a 90-degree design and has features such as variable valve timing and four valves per cylinder for optimum performance. Power is delivered through a standard six-speed manual or optional "e.gear" transmission-an electronically controlled sequential gearbox. The e.gear system comes with three modes: normal, which allows manual gear selection; sport, which makes faster yet sharper shifts; and automatic, for smoother shifts more like a conventional automatic.

Traction for all that power is more assured than might be expected, thanks to the standard VT (viscous traction) all-wheel drive system, which at constant speed brings 70 percent of engine power to the rear wheels but varies the ratio for best traction and stability. A mechanical limited-slip differential is used in back, and an electronic one is used in front.

The Gallardo comes from the factory ready for the track, with a power-steering cooler, Z-rated Pirelli tires, a performance driving mode for the stability control system, and powerful Brembo brakes with eight pistons in front. The braking system can pull 1.1 g on dry surfaces, according to Lamborghini.

Dual-zone air conditioning, central locking, bi-xenon headlamps, and a six-CD sound system, are all on the standard-equipment list. Head and thorax side air bags are standard, too. Notable options include heated mirrors, a navigation system, a video rearview camera, a garage door opener, and an onboard computer.

The Gallardo's design was heavily influenced by contemporary aircraft construction. The cockpit is far forward within the car, and the windshield is one of the most sharply raked in any vehicle. A rear spoiler, which automatically deploys at about 75 mph and retracts when speed lowers to about 55 mph, helps increase stability at high speeds by creating down force.

The Spyder has a power-operated convertible soft top that can be fully opened or closed in about 20 seconds, along with a fully retractable glass window, which can serve as a wind deflector with the top open. And when the top is open, it stows within a special carbon-fiber engine hood. The Spyder's eye-catching and different design is enhanced by the absence of roll bars-pop-up safety bars are deployed when a rollover is anticipated.

Lamborghini added a new coupe to the Gallardo lineup for 2008. Limited to a reported 350 units, the Superleggera is a track-focused machine that can still be enjoyed on the street. Clad in all manner of carbon fiber components, the Superleggera's weight is 154 pounds lighter than the base model. Horsepower is increased by 10 as well, thanks to revised intake and exhaust systems.
New for 2008 is the limited edition Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. As performance oriented as the Gallardo is, the Superleggera supersedes the "base" model, resulting in a more track-focused machine that can still be enjoyed on the street. As alluded to by its name ("leggera" means "light" in Italian), the Superleggera sheds 154 pounds through the use of carbon fiber components, such as mirrors, door panels, the engine and central tunnel covering, the rear diffuser, and the underbody covering. Decreasing the weight to power ratio even further is a 10-horsepower increase over the regular Gallardo's 5.0L V10, which was accomplished by utilizing more efficient intake and exhaust systems. see less