Late January 2013 we already published an article stating two complementary motoring experts would join forces … Automobili Lamborghini SpA and Reiter Engineering GmbH signed an agreement to develop a brand new 2013 Gallardo GT3 race car together for the first time.
Using the brand new LP560-4 model with the modified front and rear sections as seen at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, the new Gallardo GT3 car takes some development and styling hints from the factory original 2013 Super Trofeo race car, especially the triangular air vents in front of the windshield similar to the ones seen on the limited edition Sesto Elemento are used.
Automobili Lamborghini SpA has been building legendary models ever since the late Ferruccio Lamborghini founded the company back in 1963 … first up were some of the best GT cars the world had ever seen in that era, the 350GT is still widely acclaimed as one of the best looking V12 Gran Turismo cars while the Espada was a masterpiece from the Seventies … luxury and speed for four people in a low slung styling that was simply amazing.
However the big surprise came with the Lamborghini Miura, a super exotic car that had the massive V12 engine mounted transversely behind the back of the driver and passenger with styling that still amazes onlookers 40 years later. Succeeded by the magnificent Countach that introduced the by now typical upward opening doors concept onto the world of Lamborghini cars, angular styling that looked like an alien space ship in the late Seventies and Eighties. The Diablo took over the reign in the Nineties with some amazing cars like the Diablo SE30 and the Diablo SV, later succeeded by the even more menacing Diablo GT model … the latter two were also part of the first attempt at a monomarque racing series with the Diablo SV-R and the Diablo GT-R.
The 21st century was a major turning point for Lamborghini, being acquired by Audi AG could have been a bad idea but it turned out really good, with the new funds a brand new Bull was created in the form of the Murciélago that was unveiled in late 2001, but at that time Lamborghini had no intention of developing a race version so world renowned Reiter Engineering GmbH took on the task of developing the Murciélago R-GT in 2003 that would later evolve into the Murciélago R-SV in 2009 for the 2010 FIA GT World Championship.
In fact Reiter Engineering had been developing Lamborghini GT cars on their own since 2000, with the stunning black Diablo GTR-S being one of them, in fact Reiter Engineering has been the main manufacturer of racing cars for Lamborghini since 2000, their race variants have been supplied to both the Reiter Racing team and other competitors. Since 2007 Reiter Engineering built Lamborghini GT cars have secured 199 victories and 350 podium positions in GT Championships … Reiter Engineering has a development structure and a racing team to be reckoned with.
Actually when Lamborghini came out with the successful V10 Gallardo model it didn’t take Reiter Engineering too long to create a full-blown GT3 edition based on the ‘baby Lambo’ as the Gallardo is sometimes called. At first using the original 5.0 liter Gallardo to be turned into a GT3-R model, later on Reiter Engineering took on the then new LP560-4 model to create the LP560 GT3 race car that has evolved into the LP600+ GT3 car used during the 2012 season … at a certain point Reiter Engineering even had an LP560 built to GT2 specs.
For both the 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series and the 2013 FIA GT Series we’ll be seeing a Gallardo GT3 that has been developed with full support from Automobili Lamborghini’s motorsport R&D team … in fact Lamborghini put together an in-house department dedicated to motorsport only called the Squadra Corse that will oversee both driving and racing programs for Lamborghini.
So we have Reiter Engineering GmbH with all their Lamborghini GT racing experience that led to outstanding results over the years joining forces with Lamborghini R&D engineers offering their full expertise of high performance road cars … with one objective in mind: ‘bring the unique road prowess of Automobili Lamborghini’s super sport cars to the track’.
Back in January the only thing we could admire were a few virtual 3D renders featuring a red car, and despite not showing the real car these mockup looked absolutely amazing, especially the front spoiler with the vertical sections much like the ones seen on the Aventador J …
Unfortunately that very special design front splitter didn’t make it into production as we see a totally different front on the actual 2013 Gallardo GT3 FL2 production race car as it can be delivered to possible customers all over the world.
While using the new 2013 Gallardo model as a basis, the GT3 Squadra Corse evolution is focused long-distance performance with reduced fuel consumption compared to the 2012 LP600+ GT3 car, but also improved engine cooling and a special ’24-hour’ brake system.
Additional differences between the production version and the early 3D render can also be found at the rear the section, where the vertical wings on the sides are gone but the beautiful looking Reiter developed rear wing and slotted engine cover as used on the 2012 LP600+ GT3 return on the 2013 Gallardo GT3 FL2 Squadra Corse. The rear wing is a high downforce carbon fiber, fully adjustable unit while the front splitter is made of the same carbon fiber material and features double under floor diffusers, the lower diffuser at the rear is also made of carbon fiber in case you were wondering.
Also note the ‘speed wizards’ at Reiter Engineering managed to remove an additional 25kg from the Gallardo to improve the power to weight performance even further, in fact the 2013 Gallardo GT3 FL2 has exceptional low running costs … only €9/km to €12/km parts rebuild costs.
Some specs on the 2013 Gallardo GT3 FL2 or Squadra Corse as it is called in the leaflet state a power output of over 600hp at 8000 rpm, lightweight motorsport specification wiring and connectors, electronic power management system and a membrane type switch panel combined with a 2D data logger digital dash with large, totally configurable racing display, the quad exhaust pipes found on the street legal Gallardo have been replaced by a Reiter Engineering racing spec exhaust that shows two exit tips higher up between the taillights.
The lightweight carbon fiber body panels cover a chassis in lightweight, structural aluminum space frame, based on aluminum extruded parts welded to aluminum caster joint elements with structural reinforcements at suspension pick up points, inside we find a FIA approved safety roll cage and the car is fitted with Makrolon safety windows.
The suspension consists of a Reiter Engineering double wishbone front and rear setup, quick adjustable anti-roll bar, anti-dive and anti squat, Öhlins 3 way adjustable racing shocks and machined aluminum uprights based on GT1 parts.
To keep the interior cool during a race we find a roof mounted air scoop while the seat made from carbon Kevlar can be ordered in two versions … one designed for small drivers, the second specifically for taller drivers.
Base price for the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 FL2 has been set at €320,000 (ex VAT) from which a down payment of €70,000 is required when you order the car, a second payment is asked for when actual production starts (€130,000) with the final payment due upon delivery, which happens about 8 weeks after reception of the first payment … Reiter Engineering does recommend a ‘Spare Parts Kit’ for professional teams at about €74,000 … so give or take a few thousand Euro you are in for about €400,000 if you decided to buy the 2013 Gallardo GT3 FL2 Squadra Corse race car.
Photos and specs © Reiter Engineering GmbH
