RE: Gallardo Press Launch
Monday 7th July 2003
Gallardo Press Launch
Lamborghini roll out 23 Gallardos for journos to test
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At the end of June, Lamborghini invited selected members of the press to the Vallelunga circuit on the outskirts of Rome. There, twenty three of the new Gallardo 'mini' Lambos were lined up ready for sampling. Those attending were treated to laps of the circuit and a road driving session.
For those of us not familiar with Lamborghinis on a day to day basis, the Gallardo will be one of those cars easily confused with its big brother the Murcielago. The distinct slab side look is very similar and it's not until you compare the two cars directly that the styling differences become so apparent.
Little brother to the Murcielago it may be, but this is no wheezing supermini. The V10 motor pumps out a handy 500bhp and 376 lb-ft of torque. The aluminium engine benefits from variable valve timing, a dry sump and even drive by wire throttles. Power is transmitted via a four wheel drive system and 75% of buyers are expected to go for the optional paddle shift gearbox.
It's expected to retail for around £120,000 when it hits the UK.
Links: Lamborghini Links, Lamborghini Owners
Pictures courtesy of Nauman Farooq/Lamborghini Canada
Discussion
Yes indeed, Davey S1.
The Murcielago looks miles better, as did the Diablo previously, the Countach before that and the Muira in the first place. Not forgetting, the Rayleigh Chipper, too.
What a load of overhyped nothingness.
It's another (yawn) Audi in drag.
The fact that it IS/WILL BE a superb car isn't enough.
This car is an imposter and I find it irritating that the mags are swooning so mindlessly. It represents a pointless overpopulation of a rarefied niche sector which is more than adequately catered for already.
Fezza 360 Stradale or this? I'll take the thoroughbred over the bull this time, danker.
The Murcielago looks miles better, as did the Diablo previously, the Countach before that and the Muira in the first place. Not forgetting, the Rayleigh Chipper, too.
What a load of overhyped nothingness.
It's another (yawn) Audi in drag.
The fact that it IS/WILL BE a superb car isn't enough.
This car is an imposter and I find it irritating that the mags are swooning so mindlessly. It represents a pointless overpopulation of a rarefied niche sector which is more than adequately catered for already.
Fezza 360 Stradale or this? I'll take the thoroughbred over the bull this time, danker.
derestrictor said:But the same could be said for the Stradale. Ferrari have also contributed to this overpopulation, they just did it first. Anyways, I hardly think another £100k+ supercar is going to hurt anyone
It represents a pointless overpopulation of a rarefied niche sector which is more than adequately catered for already.
Apart from someones bank account perhaps! 
I like it in blue, and orange, and yellow and black.
My problem with this car is that it is well overpriced. The engine is not that different from the RS6, and most of the parts, the instrument cluster is pure Audi!!! Identical to the A4. The interior?
And if you look at the rear lights, they too resemble the A4 rear lights and styling.
I can't see why it should cost £120K? (£115K was price quoted by Lambo UK). In Europe its priced less than that. Had this car been pitched at £90K (isn't a 360 £103K new?) then it could be worth considering. I honestly wanted to love it, but can't. The styling is not bad, but not great. It blatantly looks like its from the Audi family. Good on them for bringing something to challenge Ferrari, but I can't see myself buying one though, much as I wanted to want to (makes sense?).
My problem with this car is that it is well overpriced. The engine is not that different from the RS6, and most of the parts, the instrument cluster is pure Audi!!! Identical to the A4. The interior?
And if you look at the rear lights, they too resemble the A4 rear lights and styling.
I can't see why it should cost £120K? (£115K was price quoted by Lambo UK). In Europe its priced less than that. Had this car been pitched at £90K (isn't a 360 £103K new?) then it could be worth considering. I honestly wanted to love it, but can't. The styling is not bad, but not great. It blatantly looks like its from the Audi family. Good on them for bringing something to challenge Ferrari, but I can't see myself buying one though, much as I wanted to want to (makes sense?).
Thom said:
Judging from the praise it received in the latest EVO issue this car must be nothing short of excellent from the driver's side... 
Looking forward to seeing one in the flesh.
Can't wait for mine......
Still not convinced about the 4 wheel drive - but, to quote Star Wars , "Look at the size of that thing....."
It's gonna be a small, usable Lamborghini. Time to rejoice! I hope this encourages more people to the marque - and to naughty cars in general.
Bring it on... Another naughty car. Woohoo!
And re: A4, TT et al - really!? Do you really believe that this will detract from supercar ownership? Is the quality bad? Is the design poor? Does it work - er yes! As most of you already know - just approaching a low slung, pointy, mid-engined 2 seater (alas without the scissor doors) is kinda cool. Having the keys is cooler still. Driving the beast is even cooler.
The 996 Turbo (yeah - its 4 wheel drive) that I'm current driving has cheap looking plastic black bits around the switch gear/indicator stalks. Does this make it a bad car? Er no. Is the switch gear in the Audi Allroader (soon to be replaced with an RS6 Avant) crap - er no.
I think the switch gear in the Murci/6.0 is of a high standard, is tactile - and it just works.
I look forward to playing with the audified Lambo - and long may it continue - so that we see more of these cars on the road - and it about time that Maranello has had to sit up and take notice!
We, the customers, are the people who will benefit - so bring it on!
rant over - doh!
anjum said:
And re: A4, TT et al - really!? Do you really believe that this will detract from supercar ownership? Is the quality bad? Is the design poor? Does it work - er yes! As most of you already know - just approaching a low slung, pointy, mid-engined 2 seater (alas without the scissor doors) is kinda cool. Having the keys is cooler still. Driving the beast is even cooler.
The 996 Turbo (yeah - its 4 wheel drive) that I'm current driving has cheap looking plastic black bits around the switch gear/indicator stalks. Does this make it a bad car? Er no. Is the switch gear in the Audi Allroader (soon to be replaced with an RS6 Avant) crap - er no.
I think the switch gear in the Murci/6.0 is of a high standard, is tactile - and it just works.
Audi can certainly build better switchgear than Lamborghini could ever do.. I have no argument there at all. I am also a HUGE HUGE fan of the Diablo 6.0 which was the first Audified Lambo....
BUT.... that doesn't make it OK to have that stuff in there...
My stance is simple.... as long the interior cannot be "confused" with the interior of another car OR you do not pick up the same cues as you would do when driving a TT (even if you've never driven one) - well then FINE.....
BUT.... it would irritate me if my mate got in and said "woohoo, it's just like my Audi A3 in here" - NOT becuase I'm a badge snobe ( I think Audis are great cars) but because I've spent ~ £130K on car - I (like many others) EXPECT individuality, exclusivity, uniqueness (sp?), and a feeling of piloting something special. If this isn't compromised all is perfect, use bits from Ladas for all I care.... Thing is, where does it stop....engines, gearboxes...
Anjum - you've had a 550 right? Know what I mean
I will reserve judgment (as much as I can) until I see one in the flesh. I got an email from Lambo London and 2 are going to be available to see from the 14th........
Must drive it.
>> Edited by manu on Tuesday 8th July 14:56
I think this car is going to kick some arse, especially down at Maranello Stables.
550bhp in something small and purposeful - great! The Diablo is lovely but a bit of a bloater on some roads. The Murky, lots of drama, but not so iconic.
The Gallardo has airfix-meets-audi styling, but looks more shocking than most cars you'll ever meet on the M25. Bring it on.
What they really need to do is a Gallardo SV, tho'... 2WD and junk the cupholders Then the Domster may stop drooling over the Stradale and the GT3-RS...
550bhp in something small and purposeful - great! The Diablo is lovely but a bit of a bloater on some roads. The Murky, lots of drama, but not so iconic.
The Gallardo has airfix-meets-audi styling, but looks more shocking than most cars you'll ever meet on the M25. Bring it on.
What they really need to do is a Gallardo SV, tho'... 2WD and junk the cupholders
Then the Domster may stop drooling over the Stradale and the GT3-RS... I understand what you are saying Anjum, but I'm chopping my Mazda for an A4 TDI. I don't want to look at the same interior all the time.
Still, the performance should be awesome and I am going to have a look at one in the flesh... You just never can tell from the pictures what sort of emotion it will ellicite in the flesh.
I still think it should have been left to Italians to design. The size and useability is a big factor of course, but that still doesn't mean they could have made the interior and looks that little bit more special, especially at that price.
It takes 5 times less man hours (500app vs 100app hrs) to build a Gallardo than a Murci, and there's less than a £50K difference in price. In Europe its like £95K. That makes sense, £120K seems too high for this car, considering such extensive sharing of parts.
Still, the performance should be awesome and I am going to have a look at one in the flesh... You just never can tell from the pictures what sort of emotion it will ellicite in the flesh.
I still think it should have been left to Italians to design. The size and useability is a big factor of course, but that still doesn't mean they could have made the interior and looks that little bit more special, especially at that price.
It takes 5 times less man hours (500app vs 100app hrs) to build a Gallardo than a Murci, and there's less than a £50K difference in price. In Europe its like £95K. That makes sense, £120K seems too high for this car, considering such extensive sharing of parts.
If it's 95k in Germany, we'll wait a year and import a left hooker for 65k from www.mobile.de.
I'll do my share of the driving, no need to ask.
'
I'll do my share of the driving, no need to ask.
'
domster said:
If it's 95k in Germany, we'll wait a year and import a left hooker for 65k from www.mobile.de.
I'll do my share of the driving, no need to ask.
'
Dom I can hear the German Badger populations responce to this now-
"Auchtung ze Domster approachen int vun year int ze ninja's neau Lambo, das is bad, snell snell ve burrow deep in ze soil of ze fatherland an't dive dive dive comrades, an't zen he vill not keel us all, ha ha vee vill outvit ze einglish Badger murderer wit our Badger master race animal cunning"
manu partly said:
My stance is simple.... as long the interior cannot be "confused" with the interior of another car OR you do not pick up the same cues as you would do when driving a TT (even if you've never driven one) - well then FINE.....
Which is why Aston Martin in all the reports about the new DB8, have been making a big song and dance about how all the switchgear will be bespoke for the car. In order to prevent switchgear spotters and improve the sense of occasion when owning the car rather than thinking 'ohh thats a Fiesta part, thats from a Mondeo, etc...'
robp said:
I wonder if any Diablo owners will be trading theirs in for the "baby" version?
manu said:
... Lambos have a V12 and scissor doors IMO.
Robp, apart from Manus observations, the answer for me is "No"... still trying to work out how to drive the thing properly!!! Hopefully Ridedrive will enlighten me!
tony_996hasgone said:
I wonder if any Diablo owners will be trading theirs in for the "baby" version?
manu said:
... Lambos have a V12 and scissor doors IMO.
Robp, apart from Manus observations, the answer for me is "No"... still trying to work out how to drive the thing properly!!! Hopefully Ridedrive will enlighten me!
You were still managing some "pace" down those B-roads at PF!
V10 & "sounds like an F1 car" according to Autocar. Small. I couldn't give a bollock about the switchgear as long as it looks nice and stays in one piece. The cabin must be a special place to be or you will feel screwed. Still want a Stradale more than this, though it does make you think.
I think it *has* to cost at least as much as a specc'd 360 Modena or it wouldn't compare well to Ferrari even if that is entirely perception. You tend to see pricing of these things as slightly more than the market expects, or will readily bear- sod all to do with how much it costs to make them. I know what Ali means about price, but I think it's the Murci that's 'cheap', not the Gallardo that's expensive. Ferrari make their money on the V8s since they have sufficient sales volume to monetarise their R&D. I don't believe they make money on the V12s. The decision to keep the 456 in production for more than 10 years was, I think, financially motivated. The V12s provide variety, halo, and are more 'exclusive' than the V8s, which is why I guess you sometimes come across V12 snobbery in Ferrari circles.
I think it *has* to cost at least as much as a specc'd 360 Modena or it wouldn't compare well to Ferrari even if that is entirely perception. You tend to see pricing of these things as slightly more than the market expects, or will readily bear- sod all to do with how much it costs to make them. I know what Ali means about price, but I think it's the Murci that's 'cheap', not the Gallardo that's expensive. Ferrari make their money on the V8s since they have sufficient sales volume to monetarise their R&D. I don't believe they make money on the V12s. The decision to keep the 456 in production for more than 10 years was, I think, financially motivated. The V12s provide variety, halo, and are more 'exclusive' than the V8s, which is why I guess you sometimes come across V12 snobbery in Ferrari circles.
anjum said:
domster said:
What they really need to do is a Gallardo SV, tho'... 2WD and junk the cupholders
Domster - you are a visionary!
Anjum - will you be selling the M3 for the Gallardo. At 472k (see your profile entry
) you'll have some petrol money too >> Edited by Stig on Wednesday 9th July 13:39
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