2008 Lamborghini Gallardo
What's New for 2008
The
Lamborghini Gallardo coupe and Spyder remain unchanged for 2008,
although a new higher-performance edition known as the Superleggera
makes a one-year appearance.
Introduction
The 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo does not
appear to have been designed for "Star Wars" by Industrial Light &
Magic. It isn't wider than a Chevy Silverado. The doors don't slice and
dice and make julienne fries. Yet these characteristics have been some
of Lamborghini's calling cards for the past 30-something years, applied
to a wild sports car bunch that took the word "exotic" to even higher
levels. Cars like the Countach, Diablo and most recently, Murcielago,
were not only wildly expensive but also often cumbersome to drive.
The
Gallardo, by comparison, is only really expensive, versus wildly so.
And with saner dimensions, traditional doors and a more habitable
cockpit, it's the first Lamborghini in decades to be considered actually
livable. And what a fun life it must be for those who purchase one of
the three Gallardo variants: the standard coupe, Spyder convertible and
the lightweight performance edition known as the Superleggera. New for
2008, the latter's more aggressive suspension tuning and weight
reductions (about 150 pounds) make it less livable than the other two,
although the Superleggera does increase the Gallardo's handling and
performance prowess significantly.
As for the higher-volume 2008
Gallardos, they feel surprisingly similar -- the Spyder's 250 additional
pounds of structural reinforcement bless this topless Lambo with
unyielding integrity that the coupe manages to only slightly surpass. As
such, both versions display prime composure, taking to twists, turns
and dips like Fred and Ginger -- or Jason Taylor and that brunette girl
from "Dancing with the Stars," if you have no idea who Fred and Ginger
are.
It's important to note that the Sant'Agata factory has
already begun production on the coupe's successor, next year's improved
Gallardo LP560-4. The Spyder will carry over unchanged, but the
Superleggera will be sold for only this year. As such, coupe buyers
might want to wait a bit until the '09 model arrives. Either way,
however, it's hard to describe the Gallardo as anything but
Lamborghini's best car ever. True, it's not the brand's most memorable
model, nor will it likely be a timeless classic. But in terms of actual
driving enjoyment and daily functionality, it can't be topped.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo comes in
two body styles: a coupe and a convertible known as the Spyder. The
coupe is also available in a lightweight, higher-performance edition
called the Superleggera. Standard equipment on all models includes
19-inch wheels, an automatically extending rear spoiler, bi-xenon
headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, a
four-speaker stereo with six-CD changer and two auxiliary audio jacks,
and a multimedia control interface virtually identical to Audi's MMI
system. The Spyder adds a fully powered soft top and integrated tonneau
cover.
Options include a suspension lift system to prevent front
spoiler scrapes, carbon-ceramic brakes, a rearview camera, heated seats
and side mirrors, and a navigation system. Lamborghini also offers a
variety of special-order "Privilegio" options, most of which involve
specialty colors and trims.
Powertrains and Performance
The all-wheel-drive Gallardo coupe and
Spyder are powered by a 5.0-liter V10 that produces 512 horsepower and
376 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission with gated
metal shifter is standard. A six-speed automanual transmission known as
e-gear is optional. The sprint from zero to 60 mph should take around 4
seconds.
The Superleggera receives an upgraded version of the
5.0-liter V10 good for 522 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. E-gear is the
standard transmission. Although that power gain may seem insignificant,
combined with a 150-pound weight loss, it gives the car an estimated
time of about 3.7 seconds from zero to 60 mph.
Safety
The Gallardo comes standard with antilock
brakes, stability control and side airbags. A rearview camera is
optional, while the rear spoiler on the regular coupe and convertible
deploys at 75 mph for added downforce.
Interior Design and Special Features
The Audi influence is obvious inside the
2008 Lamborghini Gallardo, with plenty of properly fitting leather and
soft-touch materials. The cockpit features comfortable seating that
won't leave you reaching for the painkillers after a long trip, while
the driving position is a big improvement over past Lambos. The
Lamborghini version of Audi's MMI electronics interface is a bit
counterintuitive, as the control knob and accompanying buttons are
placed next to the screen rather than near the shifter. Essentially, it
takes the driver's eyes off the road for too long -- and in a car that
can go 195 mph, that's never a good thing.
Though not as
flamboyant as the exterior, the interior styling is still suitable for a
vehicle that commands such a high price of admission. Like everything
Audi touches, build and materials quality is excellent. Storage space is
minimal; just a bit of room is available behind the seats of the coupe
and in the nose-mounted trunk. The Superleggera is practically identical
in terms of design, but differs by featuring lightweight racing seats
and Alcantara upholstery covering most surfaces.
Driving Impressions
At full throttle, the V10 produces a
sweet soundtrack truly befitting a Lamborghini. With 512 hp on tap, the
2008 Gallardo is capable of warp speed from any gear. It's true that the
big V10 and all-wheel-drive system do make the Gallardo a bit portly
for this class of car, and it has been hyperbolically described as
feeling like "a faster, more expensive Audi TT." Therefore, it doesn't
quite provide the same razor's-edge responsiveness that one can get
from, say, a Ferrari F430. Additionally, the brakes, though immensely
powerful, can be inconsistent in feel when pushed to their limit.
There's
still plenty to like about the Gallardo, particularly the Spyder, which
provides the thrilling combination of Lamborghini thrills and top-down
sunshine. Then there's the Gallardo Superleggera, which provides more of
that razor's-edge responsiveness. By going on a lightweight
carbon-fiber diet -- and by producing a more visceral (read: loud)
exhaust note -- the Superleggera offers a more agile, lively feel.
source: http://www.edmunds.com/lamborghini/gallardo/2008/#fullreview
