With the start of 2009 Lamborghini has decided to switch things up a bit, introducing it's newly designed Gallardo LP 560-4 at the Geneva auto show. The LP stands for Longitudinale Posteriore which is in reference to it's longitudinally mid-mounted engine. The 560 stands for the 560 horsepower that the car produces and the 4 stands for an all wheel drive system.
The new design is making more people interested in obtaining one of these italian super cars.
With Audi behind the wheel brings an engine bay that is identical to the Audi R8's engine bay. While some believe that Audi's influence within Lamborghini is only making a vehicle with a special body kit others would say that's just the name of the game these days. With Aston Martin being owned by ford a lot of their parts are similar other models and makes just as Lamborghini's relationship is with Audi.
So what's been accomplished in this new body style?
Well just look at it compared to the old Gallardo and although there is a resemblance the changes are quite obvious. Newly designed front end which almost mirrors the new design from the Reventon which was introduced at the Frankfurt auto show in 2007. The tail end also got a make over with it's rounded rear and new tail lights, which have a new Y-shaped design. Between the new nose job and the redesigned backside the car has gained two inches in length. A new rear diffuser compliments the new 4 barrel design on the exhaust which lets out a mean rumble as the car is pressed to it's limits.
The Axles were reduced in weight, bringing it to just 3300 pounds, to allow vehicle more agility but compared to the original that's all that was changed in the layout underneath. A revised front suspension does allow some new mounts and easier adjustments, while the rear suspension has an added toe link and all new mounts. The new suspension is supposed to improve ride quality and allow for better handling.
The true engineering comes with the design of a completely new engine.
They have allowed this Gallardo to achive over 200 mph by inserting a 90-degree, aluminum V-10, just like the original, but they have introduced larger bore spacings. Displacing 5.2 liters and with the help of Audi's FSI direct injection systems allowing a compression ratio of 12.5:1 instead of 11.0:1 allowing the production of the 560 horse power at 8000 rpm. (Up from 520 in the 2008 Gallardo.) Torque has been improved from 376 lb-ft at 4250 to 398 lb-ft at 6500 rpm but the car also produces more low end torque which is what really makes the upgrade worth while.
The LP560-4 is offered either as a six-speed manual or with a newly designed six-speed E-gear automatic manual transmission. This new design incorporates a rotational selector instead of the usual fore and aft movement, making smoother and 40% quicker shifting between gears. The new E-gear also incorporates a new more aggressive "Corsa" program and a "Thrust Mode" or Launch Control allowing the user a quicker takeoff and 0-62 time of just 3.7 seconds. (0.3 seconds quicker than the original Gallardo from the year before.) The LP-560-4 also reaches 124 a half second quicker at just 11.8 and allows a top speed of 202 mph.
The LP560-4's emissions have also been improved allowing 18% less carbon dioxide and a small reduction in fuel consumption allowing it to achieve just over 17 mpg while last years model guzzled along at 14 mpg.
The Wheels are 8.5x19 front with a 11x19 rear and three new wheel choices are offered ranging between the Apollo wheel (Silver), the double-five spoke design, and a Cordelia wheel (polished).
Within the Cockpit new gages similar to those in the larger Murcielago and the seven switches on the center console have been designed for a more user friendly interface. The interior offers new diamond stitched seats which really offer a eye candy effect compared to the plain seats offered in the year before.
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