While it may seem like a confusing mix of numbers and letters, the latest thoroughbreds to come from Lamborghini have adhered to a strict naming policy which describes the engine layout, horsepower and drive type.

Without this naming protocol these leaked images would reveal little more than a new special edition Gallardo, although its carefully crafted model designation tells us all we need to know – LP550-2.

If this is correct then the Gallardo LP550-2 is a true rear-drive Lamborghini, which has not yet been seen in the current generation stable.

This means the LP550-2 should be considerably lighter than its all-wheel-drive sibling thereby improving performance, although it is also likely to be more of a handful to drive.

Having driven the latest LP560-4 in Italy it is definitely no slouch and certainly one of the easiest supercars to drive quickly, but that ball-topped gated shifter in the LP550-2 suggests this is a far more demanding and focussed machine.

The slight 10 horsepower drop from the V10 engine shouldn’t be frowned upon, with only two wheels sharing the grunt instead of all four.

From these leaked images, the rear treads are also considerably wider than the standard Gallardo, supporting the fact that this is indeed rear-wheel-drive.

Source: Net Car Show