Ferruccio Lamborghini - born under the zodiac sign of Taurus - when he founded the famous super car company, that since then bears his name, gave to it the symbol of the fighting bull. Later, in the '60 decade, when the Miura was introduced, he named the car after a famous bull's race, and this practice became a tradition for the House of the Bull. Honouring this tradition, the Management of Automobili Lamborghini have decided to baptize their latest model with the name of a fighting bull's breed: the Gallardo (pron.: ga:yàrdo).
Designed to redefine its segment as the best high performance sports car and driving behaviour that fits its driver in every situation. The Gallardo is the synthesis of a true sports car that can be used on an every day basis. While matching these two apparently conflicting objectives, the guideline for Lamborghini engineers has been to fulfil the necessary comfort requirements without any compromise in the performances expected of a true Lamborghini car.
The Gallardo design vision was initiated in the year 2000. The challenging and simultaneously fascinating task of our designers was to cultivate the attributes from Lamborghini and combine them in an extremely individual packaging. Its design, based on an Italdesign-Giugiaro style proposal was developed by the Lamborghini Centro Stile to incorporate the parameters of its design philosophy. The scissor door cinematic has been reserved as traditional to the 12-cylinder lineage.
The Lamborghini V10 cylinder DOHC four valve V90 5 liter, 500 Hp, 510 Nm, is the concept solution for the high performance Gallardo. Instead of the more classical choice of a V72, an angle of 90 degrees was preferred in order to limit the height of the engine with advantages in the car layout (e.g. lower engine bonnet and better rear view) and in the lowering of the centre of gravity (i.e. better car dynamic characteristics). Even firing intervals (that ensure the smoothness of the engine) are guaranteed by the adoption of crankpins incorporating an 18-degree offset. A dry sump lubrication system not only achieves the correct lubrication even in extreme dynamic conditions, but also permits the centre of gravity to be lowered further. The throttle control is performed via a Drive by Wire system, with two electronic throttle bodies.
The main feature is the permanent four-wheel drive transmission, based on the well-proven Lamborghini Viscous Traction system. The gearbox is 6 speed, using of the latest generation double and triplecone synchronizers and optimised actuation linkage in order to achieve precision and velocity in shifting while ease of operation is guaranteed. A robotized sequential gear shifting system, the Lamborghini e gear, has also been developed, maintaining the basic mechanical gearbox unchanged.
Together with the perfect definition of suspension, weight distribution, centre of gravity and aerodynamic characteristics, the achievement of high body stiffness is fundamental to obtain optimal car dynamics and driving enjoyment even on long trips. For the Gallardo Lamborghini engineers have chosen to utilize the aluminium technology developed by AUDI, world leader in this field.
The choice of double wishbones front and rear suspension system, true to Lamborghini engineering tradition and a must for high performance sports cars, has been confirmed also for the Gallardo. The accurate definition of the geometry, of the characteristics of springs and stabilizing bars and the adoption of Koni 'selfadjusting' FSD dampers have been fundamental in achieving the desired handling, high speed stability and comfort performances. In addition to the optimisation of the suspension characteristics, a must was the definition of the correct aerodynamic features, by concentrating not only on the reduction of the drag coefficient, but, even more important, on the control of the front and rear lift coefficients. Such a study lead to important aerodynamic body refinements (e.g. front flap, flat bottom) and to the implementation of a rear spoiler, electronically controlled as a function of the vehicle speed.
Company press release, last updated before 12 / 01 / 2004
I just bought my first Gallardo (and first Lamborghini period)... anybody who has negative comments on it need to drive it first. I've owned everything from Dodge Vipers to Bentley Continental GTs and for some reason, the way this car makes you feel surpasses all I've experienced yet. There's more to a car than simply top speed or even quarter mile times... its about how the car makes the driver feel, and this car definitley makes you feel complete
Awesome Car
gbrown37 05-19-2005
My dad just got one of these a little over a month ago and I have to say it is sick. Ive been a passenger (im only 17) at 130 in a 360 spider, 165mph in a Vanquish, 140 mph in a CGT, and 150 in this. Honestly, the Gallardo was the most enjoyable. Pulled me back in the seat the most, made me feel like i was gonna lose my balls more than any of the other cars.
Great Move By Lambo...
Boxster17 11-5-2004
Some people have called this car 'sheepish' yet I doubt they can say that they've seen it in real life. That they've gone, sat in it and explore it a little. Too often to people put down cars based on pictures, when it looks completely different in person. This car has somewhat aggressive styling, and performance that will blow away the Ferrari competition. Someone mentioned it doesn't even reach 195mph...now that's nit-picking on unimportant things. If you read the review it tops at 192mph. Now will you really need that extra 3mph you say, considering you probably would never even get it up that high. It's the Murcielago's younger brother, it's not meant to be that close to it in specs...maybe next time you should think before you speak.
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Gallardo
Ferruccio Lamborghini - born under the zodiac sign of Taurus - when he founded the famous super car company, that since then bears his name, gave to it the symbol of the fighting bull. Later, in the '60 decade, when the Miura was introduced, he named the car after a famous bull's race, and this practice became a tradition for the House of the Bull. Honouring this tradition, the Management of Automobili Lamborghini have decided to baptize their latest model with the name of a fighting bull's breed: the Gallardo (pron.: ga:yàrdo).
