Lamborghini Gallardo
The 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo features a number of
mechanical updates, including shortened gear ratios for
quicker acceleration and an extra 20 horsepower courtesy
of revised intake tuning and a new exhaust. Lamborghini
has also revised the suspension tuning, added Pirelli
Corsa tires, and quickened the steering for a claimed
improvement in handling response and ride quality.The
Lamborghini Gallardo serves as this Italian
sports-carmaker's most "affordable" product. In years
past, this might have been cause for concern. But the
Gallardo is the first Lamborghini to fully benefit from
the stewardship of Audi/Volkswagen, which purchased
Lamborghini in 1998. Audi's mission for the car's
development was to keep the style and attitude of
V12-powered cars like the Countach, Diablo and
Murcielago but make the car much more usable and livable
for daily use. Since the Gallardo's debut in 2004, it
has been greeted with very positive reviews and strong
sales.
The Gallardo packs a midmounted, aluminum V10 engine.
Power, which has been upped slightly for 2006, tops out
at 520 hp at 8,000 rpm and 376 pound-feet of torque at
4,500. The V10 features an 18-degree offset crankshaft
for even firing, continuously variable valve timing,
dry-sump oiling and a variable-length induction system.
Suspension front and rear is a double-wishbone design,
and all that V10 power is fed to the pavement through an
all-wheel-drive system that can vary torque
front-to-rear as necessary. Beefy Brembo brakes handle
the stopping duties, with eight-piston calipers clamping
things down up front. The chassis is a mix of alloy
stampings, extruded elements and castings. Except for
the doors, which are made of steel and swing out
conventionally instead of upward scissor-style. The
handsome furnishings deftly blend form and function --
the Gallardo's interior looks great and is comfortable
to boot.
The 5.0-liter V10 engine positioned amidships develops
520 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. Power is fed
through a six-speed manual transmission and an
all-wheel-drive system. An automated,
sequential-shifting manual transmission is also
available. Dubbed e-gear, it can be placed in an
automatic mode or shifted via steering wheel-mounted
paddles. Lamborghini claims a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4
seconds and a top speed of 315 km/h. This year's
suspension updates help the car to be a more willing
handling partner and the shorter gearing makes one more
inclined to rev the V10 to its absolute limit. At
full throttle, the V10 produces a sweet soundtrack
truly befitting a Lamborghini. With 520 hp on tap,
the Gallardo is capable of warp speed from any
gear...