Just when you might expect that Automobili Lamborghini SpA is putting all it’s resources into the new flagship that will be unveiled in early 2011 they introduce yet another Gallardo derivative into the line up. The Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante makes it’s appearance out of the blue, a lightweight version of the well known, beautiful LP560-4 Spyder somewhat like the LP570-4 Superleggera we’ve been given during the latest Geneva Auto Show.
You might ask yourself why they didn’t just call this car the Spyder Superleggera. I don’t know to be honest, and actually ‘Performante’ doesn’t sound too bad now does it, perhaps they kept the Superleggera name for the closed coupé version.
The Performante has received the more powerfull 570 Bhp V10 from the Superleggera and it also shed some extra weight compared to the LP560-4 Spyder, so performance is surely up, even if the original 560 Bhp Spyder didn’t have much to complain about in that area anyway.
Inside we are greeted with lots of Alcantara and Carbon Fiber, the exterior rear view mirrors are made of lightweight carbon fiber and the large rear wing seen on the Superleggera is now also available as an option on the Spyder Performante.
A total of 65 Kgs has been lost on the Spyder Performante, add this to the 570 Bhp (419 Kw) and you are in for a real treat when taking this Spyder for a spin, acceleration to 100 Km/h in a mere 3.9 seconds only to top out at a maximum speed of 324 Km/h … with your hair in the wind or should we call this ‘gale force’ from now on?
Encounter this Performante on the open road and you immediately recognize the fact this isn’t a regular Gallardo, a deep front spoiler is present, special LED daylight driving lights and black sections that stand out nicely on the limited number of color available on this car (yellow, orange, gray, black and naturally white) too bad the bright green isn’t available, but I’m sure you’ll be able to convince the nice people at the ‘Ad Personam’ department to have your Spyder Performante finished just the way you like it if your bank manager will also like this option is up to you I guess.
Weight reduction at Lamborghini doesn’t mean you end up with a Spartan race car for road use, nope, you still get air conditioning and electric windows behind the steering wheel while seated in some of the most beautiful sports seats I’ve ever seen.
On the Spyder Performante the by now well known e-Gear transmission is standard as it is able to shift through the six gears much quicker than any human on the planet there is also a ‘thrust mode’ to impress people when you drive away, it allows you to apply maximum revs (about 5000 rpm) and start with minimal wheel spin how many times you can perform this ‘mini’ burn out before you have to replace the gearbox isn’t listed, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this isn’t to be used on every occasion.
Those amazing looking wheels from the Superleggera make there appearance on the Performante too, note that these take away 13 Kgs each from the overall weight of the Gallardo, surely worth while, and they look nice too what more could you wish for ?
It is safe to say that Lamborghini is taking the carbon fiber route for it’s new models, we’ve seen the stunning Sesto Elemento in Paris, a sneak peak at the future (limited production is still being talked about apparently) and with their in-house development center they can experiment all they want, I’m sure we’ll be seeing lots of carbon fiber used on the upcoming V12 flagship replacement early next year.
If you are looking for an exotic, ultra impressive super car that allows you to drive top down, look no further and get your order in for this brand new Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante, I’m sure the waiting list will only grow in the next few weeks, so better be on the list as soon as possible.
