Category: Lamborghini

Here are the first spyshots of what could be a downsized version of the Gallardo according to the website World Car Fans. This cheaper Gallardo would get a V8 engine just like the Audi R8. On the spyshots, the main changes are a revised fascia and altered exhaust pipes.

So why Audi would sell a cheaper that would be able to compete with the R8? The Audi supercar is one of the best supercars of the market, if not the best according to some specialists, but there is a but. Audi can’t build enough R8 to satisfy demand because of fibre panels that are difficult to make. It can only build 20 R8 a day.

Selling a cheaper Gallardo with the same engine as the R8 would enable Audi to redirect the unsatisfied demand to the Italian carmaker. Obviously the V8 Gallardo would be more expensive than the equivalent R8 but it has enough sex-appeal to justify it.

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Of course, any Lambo is by definition an exclusive car, but now you can access a higher degree of exclusiveness with the Gallardo SE. What’s special about it? First, only 250 will be made. Second, it’s characterized by a 2-tone body paint, to be sure not to remain unnoticed. Third, the main colour of the body is repeated around the dials as well as on the door panels. Fourth, the engine is now visible from the outside, under glass hood, just like the Ferrari F430. Fifth, the gearbox receives new ratios. The Gallardo SE can dash from 0 to 62mph in 4 seconds and reach 195mph, exactly like a Ferrari F430. The mystery of facts and figures… Too bad, it’ll be available in September only: you’ll have to wait until summer 2006 to show off on the French Riviera. There’s a good side to it though: you have one more year to gather 141,500€ (approx £100,000) to purchase it, a price that does not include VAT, of course.. Then, you’ll be able to choose between two grey shades to be combined with 3 colours: yellow (Giallo Midas), orange (Arancio Borealis) and green (Verde Ithaca).

Belgian designer Luc Donckerwolke did a great job with the Murcielago and Gallardo, but then, in my mind, they look too soft when compared to the Miura, Diablo and Countach. And it’s not a matter of paintwork.