Thursday 17th November 2011

LA Show: New Lamborghini LP550-2 Spyder

La-la Land witnesses the birth of a new RWD Lamborghini

---

The Lamborghini Gallardo might not be long for this world in its current form, but Sant'Agata isn't finished with it yet.

Latest to have its wraps removed at the LA motor show is this, the Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder. Essentially it's a soft-top version of the truly magnificent LP550-2 Balboni, Lamborghini's take on a 'clubsport' model, so you get rear-drive only, and 'just' 550hp (instead of 560hp) from the 5.2-litre V10.

As with the Balboni, the 550-2 Spyder's suspension and aerodynamics have also been tuned specifically for the new rear-wheel-drive architecture, so with a bit of luck prospective owners could be in for quite a dynamic treat should they point their hard-earned in the direction of only the second rear-drive Lamborghini in more than 15 years.

The whole caboodle (which is available either as an e-gear paddle-shift affair or with a six-speed manual gearbox weighs in at 1520kg, which translates to 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 199mph.

[Stew2000]

So how will I tell the difference from the 560-4 spyder?

[JerseyS2000]

Want.

That is all.

[Polarbert]

JerseyS2000 said:

Want.

That is all.

I agree. With a manual gearbox for me please. And a tubi.

[arkenphel]

Want too, but I can't help feeling that they should've come out with a replacement by now. Everyone thinks this car is too long in the tooth now, except Lamborghini.

[number1nesta]

As good as this probably is, I just can't help thinking Lambos have become too Germanic, I mean, if you stuck four rings on the back of this, it would pass off as an Audi all to easily. Oh, it is an Audi! What ever happened to the insane, slighty demented look of Lamborghinis? Think Countach and Diablo, they deserved a place on every boy's bedroom wall...

[George H]

Love it, my favourite of the current Lamborghini line up.

[Dagnut]

Stew2000 said:

So how will I tell the difference from the 560-4 spyder?

the one that's spun around facing you on your side of the road is the 550

[Morba]

number1nesta said:

As good as this probably is, I just can't help thinking Lambos have become too Germanic, I mean, if you stuck four rings on the back of this, it would pass off as an Audi all to easily. Oh, it is an Audi! What ever happened to the insane, slighty demented look of Lamborghinis? Think Countach and Diablo, they deserved a place on every boy's bedroom wall...

Have you not seen the aventador? insane ugly lambo, just like the old days.

[Lets Torque]

That looks lovely.

[RudeDog]

Why is the power down on this and the Balboni? Is it to meet some strange racing legislation or something? Seems odd to me.

I'd like it too though and definitely in manual form, the e-gear/DSG box or whatever it's called is horrible on these things.

[georgetuk]

Would want more out of an interior than that...so dull.

Look at Pagani (though not sure on price difference) now thats an interior.

[uncle tez]

Looks better with the stripes imo

[kambites]

Stew2000 said:

So how will I tell the difference from the 560-4 spyder?

By how it drives, I would imagine.

[Wadeski]

yes they have done too many of these...but i think thats the best looking and specced Gallardo yet.

[Andyuk911]

How many versions are we up to now? ... clearly there is enough demand out there ....

[team will]

[Fire99]

number1nesta said:

As good as this probably is, I just can't help thinking Lambos have become too Germanic, I mean, if you stuck four rings on the back of this, it would pass off as an Audi all to easily. Oh, it is an Audi! What ever happened to the insane, slighty demented look of Lamborghinis? Think Countach and Diablo, they deserved a place on every boy's bedroom wall...

[soad]

Lets Torque said:

That looks lovely.

Sure does, I want it.

[golders]

Stew2000 said:

So how will I tell the difference from the 560-4 spyder?

The badge on the side says "LP 550-2" on it.

[DeltaEvo2]

Want, want, want.