VIDEO: Autocar - Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera LP570-4

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04-02-2010 | 08:44 PM

JonA85

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Its only three o'clock....wtf

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VIDEO: Autocar - Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera LP570-4

YouTube - Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera LP570-4 driven by autocar.co.uk

"What is it?
The return of the Superleggera (super light weight) tag to the Gallardo range. Taking the regular four-wheel drive LP560-4 as a starting point the Superleggera knocks 70kg off the kerbweight through plentiful use of carbon fibre. The seats, transmission tunnel, spoiler, diffuser, sills and underbody panelling are made of the stuff, while the rear-windscreen and rear windows are plastic.

As is tradition the Superleggera gets fractionally more power than the regular Gallardo. The 5.2-litre direct injection V10 producing a maximum of 562bhp and 398lbft. Which is exactly what the Ferrari 458 Italia produces; which obviously is just happy coincidence. However, at 1340kg (dry of fluids – add around 100kg for kerbweight) the Gallardo is around 40kg lighter than the Ferrari, and that despite retaining four-wheel drive.
One of the reasons Lamborghini manages this, is because it sticks to a single clutch automated transmission, lighter than an equivalent dual clutch system. So again, we have the six-speed E-gear, albeit with further improvements to the software. However with a superior power-to-weight ratio, it is first blood to Lamborghini.

While there has been no modification to the suspension arrangement, Lamborghini has completely returned the spring and dampers rates, and changed the bushings for the Superleggera. Put simply, its suspension set-up is 70 per cent of that used for the Super Trofeo race cars. Titanium wheel bolts hold in place forged aluminium wheels (more weight-saving) wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres, using a compound specially designed for the Superleggera.

What’s it like?
Surprising. With a Lamborghini there are the things you expect – things like drama, attention and plenty of noise. And the Superleggera is certainly not short on any of these. I’m not sure even a Bugatti Veyron would elicit quite the same enthusiasm from people as it a passes by. Dry a bright green Lamborghini, one with a huge carbon fibre wing stuck on the boot, and everyone wants say hello. In emotional terms it is an experience every bit as rich as you could possibly want.

It is also ludicrously rapid. Not just because of the ultimate power, but, and this is where the surprises start coming, because the Superleggera is relatively easy to drive. With all-wheel drive, on a dry surface, it is staggering just how much torque it will transmit to road. Part of that comes from sending torque to the front wheels, but also because the Superleggera has much higher levels of lateral grip than the stock Gallardo. Turn-in and there is less roll, the car far quicker to settle on its springs and generate grip.

But where Lambo has been particularly clever, is that it has avoided the temptation of going to far, the suspension retaining just enough travel (and excellent damping) to deal with bumps. In this regard the new Superleggera is better than the previous model.

It also has better brakes; carbon ceramics are still optional but the pedal feel is improved (if not yet perfect) and the ABS activation point late enough to get the most from the tyres. Lamborghini also continue to improve E-gear – in Corsa the shifts are now faster, but in normal also smoother, and the clutch take-up from rest more progressive.

As a fast road car the Superleggera is extremely well judged. But the biggest surprise of all, that it works better on the road than it does on track. Although there is plenty of grip, and through faster corners good balance, through medium and slow corners it’s natural tendency is to understeer. Which you can get through, but you need to go at the Superleggera with a pretty big stick. And sometimes that doesn’t feel like an especially enjoyable (or healthy) thing to do.

Maybe it shouldn’t be such a surprise, because ultimately, it doesn’t matter how bigger wing it’s wearing, the Superleggera is a road car. And on the road its set-up makes sense, because it is safe.

If there is one area where the new Superleggera doesn’t quite live up to its predecessor is the noise. No question it is loud – especially in Corsa with the exhaust flaps open. But to my ears it isn’t quite so how-on-earth did-they-get-that-past-the-EU? loud. Maybe they didn’t get it past the officials and that’s the problem, or maybe it’s that the new 5.2-litre V10 has more bass to its note. It’s also a shame that the previous model’s straight cut race style pipes have been replaced (for quality reasons) with more ornate, but false, tips.

Should I buy one?
If you want that full extrovert Lambo experience, or if you want an extremely capable, quick road car, then yes, absolutely. Is it worth the 18 per cent price increase over the regular Gallardo? For some people probably it is. But we’re left wishing a car with such track focussed tyres and so much attention paid to weight-saving was a bit more adjustable on the limit.

A Balboni is a much sweeter handling car. It's slower, yes, but more entertaining. A Balboni with this car’s engine, gearbox, brakes, and tyre and suspension package would certainly tick the boxes. I reckon Gallardo Super Veloce has a nice ring to it."
By Jamie Corstorphine

Source->
Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera LP570-4 - Road Test First Drive - Autocar.co.uk