Lamborghini Gallardo 2011 News

It's enough to make you weep - a $200,000 Lamborghini is off to the wreckers after a test run ended in disaster. The owner was left devastated after the luxury car, due to be delivered to him yesterday by Lorbek Luxury Cars, was written off in an accident while being tested. A mechanic was driving the car when a woman did a U-turn on Arden St, North Melbourne, and hit it. The dealership said the car was a rarity in being near-new and in perfect condition. The 2004 yellow Lamborghini Gallardo had one previous owner, had travelled just 18,453km and was a six-speed manual coupe that retailed for $200,000. Lorbek Luxury Cars owner Srecko Lorbek said: 'We are very upset and the owner is devastated. Perfect cars like this one are hard to find and we went to a lot of trouble to find it. This one was a particularly special one." Mr Lorbek said his dealership would not resell the car.  

Lamborghini unveiled the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse at Frankfurt as the second special racing edition spawned by its Super Trofeo series. So of course we want to see it on the track, and the Italian brand has complied with a video giving our first look at it in track action.Almost a clone of the Super Trofeo racer, the street-legal Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse borrows technology and weight-reduction strategies from the track version, including high-downforce aerodynamics, considerable use of carbon fibre and aluminium -- and a quick-release engine bay cover.Under that cover is the same V10 engine used in the Super Trofeo mated to a robotised e-gear six-speed transmission operated by steering wheel paddles, punting the all-wheel drive Squadra Corse to 100km/h in just 3.4 seconds and on to 200km/h in 10.4 seconds with a top speed of 320km/h.Watch video of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse here.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

It was only a few months ago that Lamborghini founded its Squadra Corse department to handle its motorsport activities, including its one-make series, the Blancpain Super Trofeo. The Super Trofeo race series spawned its own special-edition racing Gallardo, and now the Squadra Corse department has given us another. Also based on the Gallardo Super Trofeo, the Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse is a road-going car that leverages technology and weight savings from race car, including extensive use of aluminium and carbon fibre, high-downforce aerodynamics, and quick-release engine cover. The engine is the same V10 used in the race car, accelerating the car to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and to 200 mph in 10.4 seconds. Top speed is 320 km/h. The quick acceleration isn't just about power, however, as Lamborghini has managed to cut the Squadra Corse's weight by about 70 kg compared to the Gallardo LP 560-4. Like the Super Trofeo race cars, the LP 570-4 Squadra Corse is all-wheel drive, and comes standard with the robotised e-gear six-speed transmission operated by steering wheel paddles. The design of the car is intended to highlight the brand's Italian roots, with a decal strip along the flank of each car in the colours of the Italian flag: green, white, and red. Available exterior colours are yellow, white, grey, and red, with a matte black rear wing and high-gloss treatments for the hood, intakes, wheels, and rear diffuser. Inside each Squadra Corse is a minimalist interior finished principally in carbon fibre and Alcantara. The Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse will make its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show this September and is expected to be the last Gallardo variant before the car's successor arrives.  

If you were thinking Lamborghini’s run of concept reveals were over for the year, you had better think again, as word on the street is that the Italian sports car manufacturer is planning a new concept for the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show in September. But unlike the previous Veneno and Egoista concepts, which were more about celebrating Lambo’s 50th birthday (as well as shamelessly grabbing attention) than showing serious production intent, the latest concept is said to preview the automaker’s replacement for the Gallardo. Autocar, citing sources close to Lamborghini, reports that the new concept will closely preview the Gallardo replacement due in showrooms in the second half of 2014. The car will be joined about a year later by a second-generation Audi R8, which it will share a lightweight multi-material platform with. Instead of going exclusively with aluminum or carbon fiber, the multi-material platform will combine aluminium and carbon fiber and perhaps even some fiberglass to make a structure that’s almost as sturdy and light as a full carbon structure, but significantly cheaper to produce. To help differentiate the two cars, the Lamborghini is expected to have a slightly shorter wheelbase. Overall weight of the Lamborghini should be less, too, and should come in under the1497kg curb weight of the Gallardo. The Gallardo’s 5.2-litr V-10 will carry over, but with extensive revisions to deliver more power and fewer emissions. Peak output should come in at 435kW. This means the new car is likely to be an LP 600-4. Note, an engine with these very specs was previewed in the Egoista concept. And yes, all-wheel drive will remain standard, though rear-wheel drive is likely to be offered at some point during the car’s life. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission will be fitted instead of the Gallardo’s e-gear automated manual, and we’re not expecting a conventional three-pedal manual to be offered anymore. Styling, meanwhile, is likely to be influenced by the Egoista and earlier Sesto Elemento, both of which were based on Gallardo running gear. In particular, look for the Egoista’s active flaps to make it over onto the Gallardo replacement’s bodywork. As for its name, this too remains up in the air, though one of the possibilities making the rounds is “Cabrera.” In Lamborghini tradition this name comes from a legendary Spanish fighting bull, though it roughly translates to “goatherder” in Catalan and Spanish. www.motorauthority.com  

A Chinese journalist has smashed a Lamborghini Gallardo during a media launch outside the city of Hangzhou. The driver reportedly lost control of the new Lamborghini while driving on wet road with other journalists. The all-wheel drive Gallardo spun, wiping out both the front and rear. The driver reportedly was uninjured, but the car -- which costs 3.3 million yuan (about $530,000) in China but sells for between $400,000 and $578,000 here -- will be written off according to Car News China. The report states that the car was the newly-facelifted Gallardo that debuted at Paris motor show in September last year. It says the 30-year-old journalist, whose name is listed only as Zhu, was an experienced driver.  

The confirmation of the car will see it as one of three supercars on the Lamborghini stand at the Show ahead of its on-sale date later this year. This will give the Australian public their first official look at this all-new entry-level supercar. The Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder is the only convertible rear-wheel-drive variant in the Italian supercar manufacturer’s line-up and has been inspired by Valentino Balboni, who was Lamborghini’s test driver for over 40 years. Making its second official appearance in Australia will be the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, which was also at the 2011 Australian International Motor Show. Since its introduction last year, the Aventador, with its jet-fighter inspired styling and lightweight 60-degree V12 engine capable of reaching 0-100km/hour in just 2.9 seconds, has achieved success globally. “Lamborghini is always a crowd favourite at the Australian International Motor Show and we are excited they will be displaying their newest and most popular models in Sydney, as well as debuting an all-new stand design,” said Russ Tyrie, Show Director. “At this stage, we can confirm that a third vehicle will feature on the Lamborghini stand; whilst we cannot give exact details just yet, it will be a show-stopping concept never before seen in Australia.” The 2012 Australian International Motor Show will be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour from October 19-28, 2012. For further information about the Show and to purchase tickets, visit www.motorshow.com.au, which is also compatible with all android and Apple mobile devices.  

Drifting a 419kW Lamborghini around the twisties seems dangerous enough - but imagining doing it at altitudes above 2000m on a snow-covered mountain road. And not just any road. This is the Transfagarasan - a dramatic stretch of asphalt that is one of the world’s great drives, and which was applauded by BBC's Top Gear in their 14th season opener Romanian GT Road Trip. The video is a behind the scenes look at  a photo shoot for the Lamborghini Magazine and features one of the most extreme Gallardos ever to be built. Limited to 150 units, the LP570-4 Super Tofeao Stadale is a street legal version of the radical Super Trofeo race car. It's got some serious grunt thanks to a V10 engine pumping out 419kW. As a result of a weight reduction of 70kg compared to the standard LP570-4 it's also blistering fast. Not only is 0 to 100 km/h achieved in 3.4 seconds but 200 km/h is reached in 10.4 seconds. We're not sure all that grunt would be especially useful in the snow but the driver's drifting skills as he's chased by a helicopter are sublime. Olaf Hauschulz's photographs from the day will be featured in the 10th issue of Lamborghini Magazine. Vlad Manu on Google+  

Finks motorcycle gang club enforcer Richard Michail, 38, and Matthew Ward, 34, were on April 16 sentenced in the County Court after they were found guilty of stealing the canary yellow Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera in May 2010. After arriving at Lorbek Prestige Cars, Michail approached director Srecko Lorbek and demanded they "go for a little walk''. Michail slammed Mr Lorbek's head into a car and demanded $50,000 before taking the vehicle. He then threatened to rip Mr Lorbek's hands off when he tried to stop him, the court heard. Michail drove the car to the nearby Finks bikie gang clubhouse where it was later found by police. Justice Mark Dean said the men, who were wearing Finks T-shirts, had used bikie links to intimidate staff. "This was a brazen offence and your conduct must be denounced,'' Mr Justice Dean said. "Persons carrying out their lawful business must be protected from acts of intimidation and violence.'' Michail was sentenced to 3 1/2 years' jail and must serve two years before he is eligible for parole. For his part, Ward was sentenced to three years' jail and will be eligible for parole after 18 months.  

The very latest thing in blow dryers - capable of styling your hair at 300km/h - is headlining the Italian action at the Geneva show.The Lamborghini Aventador J is the natural development from the supercar company's existing super sports hero coupe, with the roof ripped away for extra driving enjoyment. It is a concept car at the show but should be ready for production and Australian deliveries in 2013.The J-car is presented without a windscreen and with a periscope rear-view mirror at the show to add to its dramatic top-off look, but it shares its carbon fibre heart and jet fighter-inspired look with the Aventador coupe, as well as its 515 kiloWatt V12 engine and all-wheel drive system. The monocoque has been re-designed including two safety bars behind the seats.For the show only, to cut weight below the 1575 kilos of the coupe, the car has also been stripped of its aircon and navigation system. "The Aventador J is the proof that, despite the rules, Lamborghini will always make people dream, even in the future," says Stephan Winkelmann, president of Automobili Lamborghini.He says the company's designers went wild on the Aventador J, which he describes as "an absolute one-off: a one-of-a-kind piece of art".The choice of Aventador J taps Lamborghini's past, as its Jota of 1970 was a one-off development of the Miura coupe with a different body and better performance. It is also linked to the motorsport classification of Appendix J, which sets the technical regulations for various racing classes.

You'd be brave to pick the star of Geneva before the show is over. But you'd be blind to overlook the lead set by the Giugiaro Brivido.Styled by design maestro Giorgetto Giugiaro, and built at his Italdesign Giugiaro studio in Turin, the sleek hybrid supercar doesn't have a bad angle. A lanky streamlined carbon-fibre and aluminium body of close to 5 metres, set off with panorama roof, bisected gullwing doors and talons of LED lights. It's pure Italian supermodel.The hybrid system comprises a Volkswagen-sourced,  front-mounted 265kW/460Nm 3.0-litre V6 engine matched with an electric motor to give a total of 300kW/600Nm, delivered to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.The press kit says the car will get from 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds - no match for most Italian supercars - but can reach a top speed of 275km/h.It's something of a technology showcase, with cameras (instead of side mirrors) feeding into steering wheel-mounted monitors, touchscreens for the instrument cluster and airconditioning controls - which descend from the headliner - and the almost mandatory iPad docking station.