Gallardos dull?

[Agent Orange]

I had a bit of a shock yesterday in that my first drive in a Lambo was – err a bit dull.

My 5 year old son “bought” me a drive in a Gallardo so I went to Longcross yesterday for the drive. I was quite excited but to be honest after sitting in the car and pulling away I was some what disappointed. The interior felt very my like any other BMW, Audi, VW I’ve been in or owned. Steering was light and easy, throttle nicely weighted and bar a slightly heavily manual change it all felt very civilised. Unfortunately no sense of occasion. Just felt like I was driving another well made car. Either I'm deaf or I could hardly hear the burble of the V10 in idle.

A seeker lap followed by a few hot laps and I got to experience the acceleration and the howl of the V10. Both were good but neither made me grin like a maniac. The throttle was buried to the floor and whilst I cannot deny it accelerated quickly at no point did I think “***kin *ell!!!!”. Grip and steering were absolutely stunning though.

It all just seemed so competent and not once did it get my adrenaline pumping. I've felt more sense of occasion in TVRs, M3, M5s, AMG Mercs, 968 and 911s.

Was it the track? Longcross was admittedly setup with so many chicanes to stop you really motoring and getting a move on but I just cannot believe that I stepped out of a Lambo and did not think “WOW!!!!!!”. My thoughts were “Yep. Nice car.” and that has destroyed 30+ years of my views on Lamborghini.

Would I do better to hire the same car on a different track for a full track day? Or just ignore the Gallardo and try a Murcielago to restore childhood views of Lamborghini?

[Agent Orange]

Devil2575 said:

Wow, your son must be minted if he can afford such lavish gifts!

BTW, I hope you didn't tell him that it was a disappointment, if he's been saving up his pocket money then finding out that you didn't enjoy it could be a crushing blow...

He needs to learn

Jasandjules said:

IMHO the Gallardo has been designed so that any old muppet can get in and drive "fast". Faster than their skills would allow. Therefore the car is driving which removes the sense of occasion and thus feels "dull" to you.

For most other motorists however it will be "great" because they can go really fast....

You’re probably right. It did feel amazingly competent. Not for one minute am I suggesting it’s a bad car – quite the opposite but at no point did I get a sensory overload that turned me into a giggling wreck. When idling I could have been sat in any car. There was nothing to suggest there was a 500bhp+ V10 behind my head.

I came away thinking “Who buys a Gallardo?” £150K for that? Or maybe “Why buy a Gallardo? Buy an Audi R8 and buy something else, Audi RS6 Avant, with the change?”

I didn’t want to feel like it was going to kill me at any moment, get a motorbike if you want that feeling, but I did want it to feel special and quite frankly it didn’t.

Wouldn’t mind trying a Balboni though.

So whilst I won’t be rushing out to buy one if anyone fancies buying one for me I’ll have mine in orange with black wheels and black and orange interior please.

[Agent Orange]

Ibizahoo2 said:

if you couldnt hear the V10, you probably do need your ears syringed, however if not, have another go in the drop top! then you can really hear it! made me slightly erect

You may have a point there! None the less I was surprised just how docile it sounded on idle.

I wanted that feeling you had (ugh that sounds wrong) - but got nothing. Actually that's not quite true. Walking up and getting in knowing I was going to drive it was exciting - I do love the look of the Gallardo. Just it ended there.

Maybe I'm aurally deaf when it comes to V10s?!?!!!!

CO2000 said:

Ask him to pick a caterham csr 260 next (seq gearbox one)

Ah yes I think this is the answer.

[Agent Orange]

mattdaniels said:

A lot of similarities here in this thread with the one about AndrewD test driving the McLaren 12C. It seems a car can be "too" good to the point where, as a driver, you feel like you haven't been part of the equation. I think a great car should reward great driving and bite if you get it wrong.

I think you have a point. Personally when Clarkson, Plato and Tiff all stated the similar view about the McLaren 12C my first thought was to scoff at them. Yeah right - for you maybe who drive exotica every day but for everyone else I bet it's still a blast.

Since trying the Gallardo I can possibly see where they are coming from. Bland very un-exotic interior aside its too good.

[Agent Orange]

jackal said:

Welcome to the world of modern cars.

Try a 430, its a much better steer, more feelsome, more interesting, more sinewy and precise, better steering feel and just more special. It will make you feel those things that you are looking for.

Just looked at "Shopping 2011" on your website. Very interesting and seems in general I'm not alone in my thoughts.

[Agent Orange]

jackal said:

I disagree. Its all about the little cues that add up to make the experience special. The cabin space, the noise, the feel through the wheel, the texture of the control weights), the quality of the damping, the throttle response, the feel through your bum etc.. Cars like the 430 and 16M, 559GTO are special at 20mph, no question. They do NOT feel like a reegular 'nice saloon car' at any point. In fact one of the criticisms of the G is how uninteresting and easy it is at the limit which is where you are saying it's supopsed to come alive.

Absolutely. A super car should look fast and feel special standing even when standing still. When you fire up the engine it should send goose bumps all over your body and put a smile on your face. At the end of a drive your face should ache from the grinning and you’ll probably be kissing and patting the steering wheel and have felt a bond with the car.

Ferrari interiors feel pretty special. A Zonda interior feels exceptionally special and really sets the expectations. Even says Porsche 968 Club Sport with its colour coded bucket seats - it all adds up.

Whilst it’s subjective I disagree with comments about the styling. Personally I think the Gallardo is a very good looking car. Some what understated yet probably something that will still look stylish in 20 years time.

I wonder how a Gallardo would perform on a pan European trip? London to Sant' Agata via the alpine passes of the Dolomites and the tunnels outside Lecco? I’m guessing that is where the Gallardo would excel.

Hmmm…. If PH would like to arrange a loan I’m sure I could knock up a paragraph or two for the website?

Edited by Agent Orange on Tuesday 23 August 12:17

[Agent Orange]

NinjaPower said:

Can I suggest you buy a bike?...

A CBR1000RR or a BMW S1000RR should do the trick...

You could but I stopped riding bikes 5 years ago. Ihave fond memories of being scared witless on a GSX-1100EFE. Thing is the bike was stationary and a blip of the throttle was enough to know I'd be dead within two corners if I bought it.
My last bike is in my profile.

Nope the Gallardo was missing the fun and the grin factor that's all. Good car just not great nor special nor memorable.

Porkie said:

I have a Turbocharged 500bhp Westfield

I'd imagine that is memorable!

Edited by Agent Orange on Wednesday 24th August 23:48