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Las Vegas, Nevada — As a fusion of Italian design and performance philosophy with German engineering prowess, recent Lamborghinis have been an interesting case study. Our recent comparison of the Superleggera and the Gallardo Spyder was, for the most part, positive ("Evil Twins," April 2008). An understeering nature and numb steering feel were the only detriments to otherwise great packages.
With the new LP560-4, however, it's a whole different story. Aside from the obvious external changes such as the redesigned front and rear ends, the revisions to the suspension geometry, powertrain and availability of carbon-ceramic brakes make for a significantly fiercer Gallardo.
Starting from the inside out, the LP560-4 features a heavily revised 5.2-liter 90-degree V-10 engine. Featuring direct fuel injection (called Iniezione Diretta Stratificata), the LP560's powerplant not only makes more power (552 bhp at 8000 rpm and 398 lb.-ft. of torque at 6500 rpm, versus 522 bhp and 376 lb.-ft. for the Superleggera), it also uses less fuel and thus produces less carbon dioxide, 327 g/km versus 400 g/km. The direct injection system was jointly developed by Bosch and Lamborghini, and the LP560-4 is one of the few supercars to feature the technology. The best part? The new engine weighs approximately 45 lb. less than the previous unit.
Getting the power to the ground is an all-new transmission and revised all-wheel-drive system. Through material selection and a new shifting system, Lamborghini was able to drop 28.2 lb. from the transmission alone. The new e.gear transmission features a drum-type shift selector — the sort commonly found in motorcycles and other sequential gearbox systems (Formula 1 and World Rally Championship cars) — that requires fewer actuators, which greatly simplifies operation.
The new e.gear setup also reduces shift time by up to 40 percent and variable shift modes give the driver control of shift firmness. The center differential uses a viscous coupling and maintains a steady-state 30-percent front, 70-percent rear power split. An electric lock-up front differential and a mechanical limited-slip rear unit allow the car to pull hard out of corners.
The cockpit section of the LP560's all-aluminum chassis remains unchanged, but the front and rear substructures have been completely redesigned. Suspension pickups, as well as the components themselves, have been changed to better suit the aggressive nature of the new car. Dual aluminum wishbones are found at all corners of the car, and a new track rod for the rear axle keeps the rear spindles lined up where they're supposed to be.
Enhanced by Pirelli P Zero tires custom-made for the LP560, handling is much more impressive now with less understeer as well as sharper feel through the steering wheel. With the stability program set to Corsa, you can get power-on oversteer at a touch of your right foot. Shifting is harder-hitting and more aggressive, with wonderfully throaty sounds coming out of the dual exhaust on downshift blips.
Like previous Gallardos, the interior of the LP is well executed with an Audi-sourced DVD-based navigation system and climate controls. Materials are first-rate and if the standard setup is not to your liking, Lamborghini's custom program, Ad Personam, can make sure you drive off with a totally customized vehicle. So how much should the perfect fusion of passion and technology cost? Base price starts at $201,000.
ROADandTRACK.com --- First Drives - First Drive: 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 (8/2008)
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