The Gallardo (pronounced 'guy-yar-doh'), first launched in 2003, has been enormously successful, taking sales past the 2,000 mark (a great contrast to the first 9 years when Lamborghini made and sold a total of only 250 units). Since 2005, it’s been improved and for 2008, as the LP560-4 (the ‘4’ is intended to emphasize the presence of permanent 4WD), it gets a new engine and new suspension as well as cosmetic updates.

The cosmetic updates have focused on getting the aerodynamic drag down and the 2008 shape is claimed to be 31% more efficient (not necessarily to mean a Cd that is 31% lower). The newly designed front of the LP560-4 (said to be inspired by the Raptor jet of the US Air Force) squats deeply to the ground which contributes to its aerodynamic efficiency. The enlarged and clearly accentuated cooling intakes meet the demands of augmented engine power thus increasing the air circulation vital to a vehicle this powerful. The spoiler, positioned low between the air intakes, improves the aerodynamic equilibrium at high speeds. At a speed of more than 120 km/h, the spoiler extends to increase downforce on the rear axle. It acts in association with the specially formed underbody which directs the airstream under the car.

Spaceframe construction, pioneered for high-volume production by Audi (which owns Lamborghini) in the early 1990s, keeps the weight of the LP560-4 to 1,410 kgs, 20 kgs lighter than last year’s model. Spaceframe construction is essentially a frame onto which body panels are attached and while reducing weight, it is also torsionally stiff and very safe.

The engine is a completely new development from the original Lamborghini V10. It has a 5204 cc displacement which, at 8000 rpm, delivers 560 bhp. Maximum torque is 540 Nm at 6500 rpm. Factory claims are acceleration of 3.7 seconds from 0-100 km/h  and a maximum speed of 325 km/h, figures which are half a second quicker in acceleration and faster. In fact, using the ‘Thrust Mode’ (a launch control system), the acceleration time was brought as low as 3.4 seconds.

It’s a sign of the times that even a supercar manufacturer is sensitive to environment issues and gives attention to reducing fuel consumption. 4.8 kms/litre (13.6 mpg) on average is claimed for the LP560-4 in urban driving conditions extending to a combined figure of 7.3 kms/litre (21 mpg). Depending on how much of the 560 bhp the driver chooses to use, that consumption could take him or her about 500 kms on a full tank of high-octane petrol. Carbon dioxide emissions have also been cut by 18% for the new engine.

The engine is unusually wide for a V10, with a cylinder angle of 90 degrees. A definite advantage of this construction is the low centre of gravity (CG). The reduction of the CG also comes from the dry sump layout of the lubrication system which also guarantees the reliability of the oil supply even during extreme lateral acceleration and on the race track.

The new V10 uses direct fuel-injection system as an innovative way to optimize performance results in part-load conditions. The direct injection boosts the extremely efficient ‘full load’ performance of the V10, reduces its knock sensitivity and thus enables the very high compression ratio of 12.5:1. The cylinder heads have been optimized to deliver a very quick gas exchange and the variable valve control system on all four camshafts improves the charge efficiency across the entire engine speed range.

The engine is mounted longitudinally (north-south) ahead of the rear axle so it sits in an optimum position for weight distribution to be ideal: 45% front, 57% rear. Proud of their engine, the designers have a transparent section on the engine cover so passersby can see it.

With so much power and torque, permanent 4-wheel drive is extremely valuable to get it all onto the road.  The driver of  the LP560-4 gets the 4WD Viscous Traction (VT) system, with the ‘4’ in the model name as a reminder. Lamborghini already introduced this system with the Diablo VT in 1993 – and for good reason: four actuated wheels achieve more grip than two and permit acceleration earlier in the curve exit.

The protagonist in the transmission is the central viscous-coupling which requires no electronic control. In this special Lamborghini configuration, the driving torque is distributed between front and rear – generally with a 30:70 front-to-rear ratio and, within milliseconds, adapts to even the slightest variations in road conditions. A mechanical differential on the rear axle provides up to 45% limited slip and an electronic differential lock at the front complete the 4WD system.

Changing gears in the LP560-4 is one of the most exciting experiences a driver can have and every effort has been made to enhance this experience. The driver can change gears manually through the exact ‘gate’ guides of the 6-speed gearbox via the short gearstick or use the e.gear’s paddle-shift system located behind the steering wheel (Lamborghini surveys show the latter to be preferred by most of its customers).

The robotized e.gear transmission has been completely redesigned and improved in all aspects. The complete system has not only been reduced in weight, but the time employed to change gears has also been reduced by 40% in “CORSA” mode. The driver may choose between five different driving and changing programs: in addition to the ‘normal’ mode, the Gallardo LP560-4 offers a SPORT program with its even more rapid gear changing times.

The CORSA program directs the engine to optimum acceleration. It permits a greater slip angle and also allows - with maximum safety - the full dynamism of the LP560-4 to be enjoyed even on a race track. The THRUST mode ensures maximum acceleration from neutral while the angle of the throttle valve and the clutch are here optimally adjusted to one another.

Of course, there will be times when the driver just prefers to enjoy the drive and let the transmission do all the work and so there is the AUTOMATIC mode also provided.

The new suspension is said to improve the car’s handling, driving comfort and  directional stability at high speeds. The aluminium double wishbones have newly-designed kinematics while the springs and shock absorbers have been retuned.

The rear axle now has an additional track rod which further improves the excellent control of this supercar. New elements are the rubber-metal bearings, highly technical parts, which improve the special Lamborghini driving dynamics with well chosen material combinations and cleverly defined assembly.

The steering rack works with relatively little assisted steering support, thus bonding the driver closely to the road. This in turn provides the driver with an intense experience of power and impulse. The steering unit has its own cooling system for the power steering fluid.

The LP560-4 uses 235/35ZR19  in front and 295/30ZR19 at the rear, the tyres being specially-developed Pirelli P-Zero. These are said to have a particularly low roll resistance which also keeps tyre wear at a minimum without any reduction in performance quality.

The possibilities and different combinations available in the Individualization Program ‘Ad Personam’ are ‘almost inexhaustible’. Ad Personam offers a host of options to allow customers the ability to give their car an imprint of their own style with respect to the interior and exterior trim. A new highlight in the program are the following three exclusive matt colors: Nero Nemesis (matt black), Bianco Canopus (matt white), Marrone Apus (matt brown). The new matt colors underline the clearly defined and purist precision of the Lamborghini design.

This is not the car you ask ‘how much?’ because if you have to, you can’t afford it! But according to Amir Hamzah, a director of Lamborghini Kuala Lumpur, the LP560-4 is priced at around RM2 million – and that’s without insurance and roadtax. Three Malaysians have ordered the car, he revealed.

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