Until now if you were the kind of brave soul who would prefer to forego the safety net of Lamborghini’s all-wheel-drive system the only answer was the Gallardo LP 550-2 Balboni edition. This lightweight version of the car loosened up the rear end the way the famed Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni obviously preferred. The only trouble was that this was a fixed roof car so even if you had the courage and the driving skills to get challenge Mr Balboni you couldn’t enjoy the open air and engine noise at full volume the way us convertible fans love.
That’s all changed now with the arrival of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder at the LA Auto Show. The latest droptop Gallardo doesn’t bear the name of the Italian test driver but in every other way it is a match for the coupe. There is the same manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential although Lamborghini’s e-gear robotised sequential transmission is still available as an option. The chassis has also been tuned over the standard Gallardo Spyder along with some minor aerodynamic change. Even the engine has been adjusted to suit the new set-up with the 550 bhp output taking it from 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds and then on to 198 mph where space and laws allow.
Purists will love this new convertible in the Lamborghini range and while the Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder may not suit those who want manageable high performance it returns the brand to the more traditional experience of harnessing the raging bull.
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