'Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante' is a bit of a mouthful, but there are predictably simpler ways to express the reaction it generally invokes. There's a simple 'wow' for starters, then the countless variations on "**** me!", "Look at that ****ing Lambo!" and "****, ****, ****!!!" that tend to follow the car along the average local High Street.
Unless you're thick-skinned this might get embarrassing after a while, particularly as the expletives occasionally carry a pithy sub-clause directed towards the driver. Still, there's no smoke without fire, and most town centres have a ring-road that means blatting past Greggs The Baker in first gear with the roof down isn't always absolutely necessary. I know, who am I kidding...
This latest Gallardo's official nomenclature is a bit irrelevant, anyway. It's one of those supercars whose function is so clearly expressed through its styling that an expletive is probably more apposite than a name. It's basically the rag-top version of the Gallardo Super-legover that our very own Riggers got blown away with last year at Wilton House, which means it's a 570hp Gallardo Spyder with an extreme nose job, and a 65kgs weight-loss programme based around a carbon parts programme. Go-faster stripes, some new aero gewgaws and a set of spiffy extra-lightweight wheels round off the project.
Taking 65kgs out of a car like this is akin to removing a typical world class GT driver - think Allan McNish - from the cockpit, and is thus a performance advantage that's quickly obliterated when I slide my monstrous frame into the standard sports-style driver's seat. I can claim a kilogram or so back by sliding my shoes off and throwing them overboard - size 12s and my impressive inside leg measurement weren't catered for at the Gallardo planning stages - and just about manage to find a driving position that's comfortable. (There are some cars, similarly proportioned PHers will hopefully agree, that aren't worth risking terminal backache, bruising and a cricked neck for - the Suzuki Cappucino springs to mind. A car like this isn't one of them, but averagely-proportioned PHers will be unaffected, and doubtless not interested to hear how others have suffered on their behalf...)
Based on a relatively brief acquaintance of both, the basic dynamic experience offered by the Performante differs hardly at all from the hardtop Superleggera. Which is to say the car is blisteringly quick (0-62mph in 3.9secs and 201mph max), has an e-gear automatic transmission that's a bit out of date (occasionally changing lumpily when left to its own devices, and not quite delivering the snap, snap, snap, instantaneous changes we're all starting to expect from paddle-shifted autos these days), and extends such a limpet-like grip on the tarmac that attempting to explore the chassis limits on Her Majesty's highway could be criminally insane. Switch the electronics to the relevant setting and at lower speeds you can boot the arse out with a prod of throttle, so no surprises there. Doing this at higher speeds may be a quick route onto wreckedexotics.com, depending on your talent.
But enough of the searingly incisive analysis (ahem!), because ultimate performance is surely not really what the Performante is all about. It's mind-bendingly capable in the right hands, sure, but because it's convertible it's also tremendously good fun in ways that the Superleggera coupe can't match.
The combination of wind-in-the-hair, that howling V10 and those gloriously ostentatious looks make experiencing the Performante at even 2/10ths of its potential a visceral thrill that's hard to beat - especially, it seems, if you're watching from the pavement. Even at an eye-watering £186k, you've got to love it!
