2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera & Spyder Review
April 4, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
The deep, racecar like rasp is also experienced in the Superleggera, it’s a noise that’s better sampled from the outside and can be well and truly heard by drivers and passengers of the econo-boxes that are continuously passed.
Under the Spyder’s bonnet lives a similar engine to the Superleggera. Only the Spyder produces 382kW and 510Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is the same as the Superleggera at 17L/100km combined.
Both vehicles were fitted with carbon ceramic brakes. To call these things ferocious would be an utter understatement. The brakes bite with tremendous rage and you need to recalibrate your braking foot due to the sensitive pedal pressures.
Accelerating from a standing start at full throttle shifts your body and all organs inside it right into the carbon-fibre clad racing pews fitted to the Superleggera. The feeling is rollercoaster like, then comes the gear change, a neck crunching slam from first gear to second gear has you wanting more and before you know it, you’ve hit 100km/h – all in 3.8-seconds. It’s well and truly the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
The cabins of these two Italian stallions are generally a great place to be. To begin with, the Superleggera is stripped down – remember, it means ‘super-light’ in Italian – so don’t expect to find cruise control, leather seats, CD-player (or even a radio!). The four-point harness is a bit tricky to deal with at times and explaining it to passengers often borders on humorous. But the lack of radio didn’t bother us in the slightest, there was always that looming 5.0-litre V10, simply waiting to be unleashed at the drop of your right foot.
With the Spyder, it’s a far more elegant proposal. Our test vehicle had a luscious red interior, fit to get the attention of all passersby. It also came with satellite navigation and a killer stereo. The steering wheel was of the suede variety (easily the pick over the leather clad Superleggera version). The Gallardo also features aeroplane style switches to operate the lights, windows and ESP.
***** N U M E R O U N O ******
Ace well written, all the time I was worried you’d wrap one of these round a lamp post. Pity about the gloomy weather, you guys must have forgotten it was winter up north.
Mines the Superleggera please.
Ceramic brakes…they cost more than a Corolla.
Hope you washed you hands before holding that suede steering wheel. Can you imagine that in two years time in a hot climate. It’ll look like leather.
Well done again guys, Bugatti, Lambo … impressed? MUCH!
A brilliant read, but I can’t wait for the video and that awesome Italian symphony :)
I’ve had the pleasure of driving my friend’s Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, and I must say….it was completely unforgettable. All I can say is, these cars really do bash your senses and emotions into submission.
An interesting point to note, is my friends Superleggera came standard with the suede steering wheel, he definitely didn’t option it in. Maybe the leather wheel is an option?
Whoa!!!
I can’t wait to see the video review.
Superb review! Loved it.
Great review!
Spectacular cars!
The fog actually helped the photography I think – you can’t beat a bit of diffused light on cars.
That part of N. Italy can get really cold – I was in Modena last November – forgot my wooly hat one day and lost the feeling in my head after 5 minutes.
Wouldn’t have fancied driving the Spyder with the roof off in that weather!
Lamborghini is my fav car…
This car looks a million bucks. (probably is) and i would defs choose this over the murcielago.
Bloody Nice Work !
Great read, I am a Ferrari person but all I can say is wow, hot car indeed.
Nice post, hot car!!!!!
ATT smarty the name for your comments is wrong (dummy), if a pizza delivery driver or a taxi driver breaks the rules crush the car, no seperate rules fo anyone, you speed & hoon drive you lose the car its simple, a little like you really.
i just love the lamborghini Gallardo it looks cute and not fat as the murcielago although it is a 5.2 litre v10 with 540 hp it is a stuning car and a really love it
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