Lamborghini LP550

[traxx]

So come on someone here must have this press photo thats going around?

So from what I can see:
550bhp V10 5.2 with direct injection
DSG gearbox
CCB as standard
top speed > 200mph
LP640 style rear lights
more "angular" styling
Slight weight reduction
10% more than the current Gallardo
No Spyder till 2009

anyone got anything to add?

[Polarbert]

Is there an option of a manual gearbox at all?

[isuk]

JamesB32 said:

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/202997/lamborghi...

Not those old pics again...... That is not the facelift I'm afraid. It was a bodykit that was specially commissioned by Lamborghini of Orange County in California from a US based supplier. Only two were made.

[isuk]

The most reliable info I've seen yet is:

5.2L V10 FSI(yes, DI engine) High Revving
550ps(hp)
530Nm
These numbers could be changed(up!)...
Acceleration? Scud level...
Top Speed? 3XXkm/h, very fast...
Manual and e-gear, both improved...
New suspension...
New standard and optional Ceramic brakes...
In EU around 6% more expensive...

So it doesn't look like DSG..... no-one seems to have developed a reliable dual clutch system yet capable of dealing with the high torque outputs of these engines.

[jonny5]

Polarbert said:

Is there an option of a manual gearbox at all?

when will you actually go drive an e-gear (or even a manual one!!!)

[amar1]

Any pic?

[amar1]

Any pic?

[JamesB32]

Pleased thats not it - would of been rather disappointing! Just have to wait until the Geneve Motor Show! Ive been told they have stopped production on the G Spyder, is this true?

James

[isuk]

JamesB32 said:

Pleased thats not it - would of been rather disappointing! Just have to wait until the Geneve Motor Show! Ive been told they have stopped production on the G Spyder, is this true?

James

I doubt it. The Spyder doesn't get the LP550 treatment until next year so I'd be surprised if they'd sacrifice sales of the current car in the meantime.

[JamesB32]

I spoke to Steve at Lamborghini London last Wed, this is what he said due to me asking when would be a good time to sell mine? I did think it was strange to stop production on the Spyder so soon? Aparantly something to do with Lamborghini not being able/wanting to produce three different models of the Gallardo at the same time with the first of the 32 LP550's arriving in July.

James

[Polarbert]

jonny5 said:

Polarbert said:

Is there an option of a manual gearbox at all?

when will you actually go drive an e-gear (or even a manual one!!!)

Been in an e-gear a couple of times. I will never change! Manual or nothing.

[blot]

You will just have to wait for my blurred photos in March

[AndrewD]

When are you going?
We'll be there on Sat 8th

[blot]

15th, unless you say it's not worth going after your visit Andrew!

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

isuk said:

So it doesn't look like DSG..... no-one seems to have developed a reliable dual clutch system yet capable of dealing with the high torque outputs of these engines.

The Veyron isn't high torque then?

[isuk]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I meant that no-one has developed a cost effective DSG box capable of handling the torque in cars in this price bracket. Porsche have delayed the introduction of their version of this box on the 997TT for example whilst development issues are resolved. If Audi had cracked the cost versus reliability issue - bearing in mind they are part of the same group as Bugatti and presumably have some access to the technology developed for the Veyron DSG by Ricardo - then the R8 would be available with DSG. I therefore suspect that the unit cost of the DSG gearbox in the Veyron may be a tad more than the purchase price of a Gallardo could stand.

[mhh]

Good info, isuk. The running gear upgrades (apart from the engine) are probably direct pinches from the R8 program. I drove an R-tronic R8 and this gearbox is much smoother than the Gallardo's e-gear (at least the 06 version I know).

I loved the DSG when I first tried it on my mother-in-law's Golf GTI but with more experience, it feels more like an auto trans than an automated manual- not enough "feel" on changes. I think the sequential manual has some life it it yet - if done properly.

[isuk]

Just a thought regarding the continuation of production of the current Gallardo Spyder. At the first major auto show of the year in Detroit, Lamborghini had three cars on their stand - a Gallardo Spyder, LP640 Coupe and LP640 Roadster. All were decked out in new colour combinations to launch the Ad Personam programme. Interesting in hindsight that there was no Gallardo Coupe there yet there was a Spyder. If Spyder production were going to cease this summer why bother to show one??

[AndrewD]

blot said:

15th, unless you say it's not worth going after your visit Andrew!

I'm sure it will be worth going! But you'll be able to see my blurry photos first and then you can decide

[isuk]

Interesting comments on another forum from a Belgian Spyder owner who has seen pics of the LP550:-

"So ... I just saw the car on 7 high resolution pictures (5 exterior and 2 interior). Pictures are not digital to make the press embargo easier.

I can tell you this: the car is frikkin' awesome!!!

Let me try to 'describe' it for you guys:
FRONT:
Lights: mix between LP640 and Gallardo with LED technology like the R8
Bumper: Think LP640, simply gorgeous!

REAR:
Lights: Longer and more narrow, size of the R8 but with LED's like the LP640
Grill below lights: full length of the bumper (more like the Concept S car but not quite)
Exhaust: think Nissan GTR -> bombastic (4 huge endtips)
Cool diffusor

Racy rims

Interior:
Another font is used for the instruments en the switches on the console have a much nicer finish, nothing really special though.

That's it. Worthless without pictures but I did my very best describing it. When you actually see the first pics everything will become very clear".