This new limited edition Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni marks a return to rear-wheel drive for the first time since the Diablo. It didn’t happen with the Murcielago LP 670-4 SV, but it’s happening now with the Gallardo. Just 250 units of the car will be built in honour of the retiring chief test driver, Valentino Balboni, who has been with the company for over 42 years.

The LP 550-2 suggests that it produces about 10 bhp less than the LP 560-4, but interestingly, it’s also 120 kg lighter. Lamborghini suggest a 0-96 kph time of just 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 320 kph.

These numbers are little slower than the LP560-4, but don’t suggest that it’s any less exhilarating a drive. In fact, given that it was designed conceived with inputs from Balboni itself, it’s probably going to be the most fun Lambo in production today.

For this, Lamborghini has relocated the transmission to the rear axle, resulting in a 43-57% front-rear weight distribution to maximise controlled oversteer. New springs, dampers, stabilisers, tyres and even the aerodynamics were also adjusted to help change the power flow.

A 45% limited slip diff was redeveloped for the rear-axle and adjustments were made to the ESP system. The CORSA program allows the LP550-2 to stretch it’s power-sliding legs a bit more than the standard program.

In the weeks leading up to the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the rumor mill was spinning at full speed at the prospect of a new high-performance, rear-wheel drive Lamborghini supercar. Instead, we got the Estoque four-door sedan concept. However, the failure of Lamborghini to deliver pure driving performance at the Paris show doesn’t necessarily mean Lamborghini has given up on the idea.

According to AutoTelegraaf, at least two high-performance two-wheel drive Lamborghinis are on the way. The first will surface in 2009 and will be based on the company’s new Gallardo. To reflect its two-wheel drive layout, the new model will be called the LP560-2, but will also sport the Superleggera– Italian for ‘superlight’ – nameplate. This is a divergence from the current Gallardo Superleggera, which does with Lamborghini’s all-wheel drive system.

Although the new Gallardo Superleggera will be down two drive wheels, it promises to up the car’s performance quotient. In tandem with an expected power bump, the Superleggera’s even lighter curb weight should mean a marked improvement in all categories of performance.

Following the release of the LP560-2, Lamborghini is planning on launching a two-wheel drive version of its Murcielago. Following the Gallardo’s new naming scheme, the new Murci will be dubbed the LP640-2. The new model won’t dawn the Superleggera nameplate, but it could wear the SV badge in production. The LP640-2 would shed at least 220 pounds compared to its all-wheel drive counterpart.

No official word from Lamborghini on when we can expect to two new supercars, but a concept version of the Murcielago could appear at March’s Geneva Motor Show.

With the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder, Lamborghini has created a driving experience like absolutely no other – fascinating design, breathtaking performance and extreme handling characteristics come together with all the sensual intensity and open-air pleasure that only a soft top super sports car can deliver.

The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 has been on the market since early 2008, as the successor to the most successful Lamborghini of all time – since 2003, more than 8,500 models bearing the Gallardo name have left the production facility in Sant’Agata Bolognese. “The LP 560-4 is the next step in a huge success story,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “With the Spyder, we are now unveiling a car that is, quite simply, a new dimension in the latest Gallardo range. It is an entirely new model, whilst building on the substantial technical and design attributes of the Gallardo LP560-4 production strategy. The new Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder is a simply breathtaking automobile – and utterly unparalleled in its commitment to extreme motoring.”

In its new generation, the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder represents more than ever before automotive passion in its purest form. As in the Coupe, its enormous power is delivered by the new 5.2 litre V10 with an output of 560 hp at 8,000 rpm. The increase in 40 hp over its predecessor, as well as the 44 pound (20 kilogram) reduction in vehicle weight, improves the power-to-weight ratio to 6.10 pounds (2.77 kg) per hp, thus improving performance even further.

The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder takes only 4.0 seconds to sprint from 0 to 62 mph, reaching 124mph in only 13.1 seconds and going on to a top speed of 201mph. The new driveline, featuring the ‘Iniezione Diretta Stratificata’ direct fuel injection system also makes for impressive efficiency. Despite the considerable increase in performance, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced by a staggering 18 percent.

The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 has been named the ultimate Performance Car of The Year 2008 in CAR magazine’s annual test.

In the November issue of CAR, on sale now, the judges put the competitors through their paces on both road and track. The Gallardo LP 560-4 beat contenders in its supercar group including the Porsche 911 GT2, Aston Martin DBS and Mercedes-Benz CLK Black. It then went on to win the overall competition against finalists from seven other categories, including challengers such as the Nissan GT-R, Mitsubishi Evo 360 and MINI John Cooper Works.

“The CAR test is unique among such awards in that it focuses more on emotion than science. The magazine bases its decision on the way cars stir the soul rather than simply how fast they are or how well they handle. All the finalists are good performers, but only one outshone the others to deliver on everything it promises,“ said CAR editor Phil McNamara.

“The Gallardo LP 560-4 is a special car to see, to drive and, we bet, to own and that’s why it’s our Performance Car of The Year,” was CAR magazine’s final judgement.“

The Gallardo LP 560-4 was unveiled earlier this year as Lamborghini’s replacement for its original Gallardo, of which approximately 7100 models have been delivered since its first launch in 2003.

Leading automotive coating specialist Zircotec has been selected by Automobili Lamborghini to supply a new thermal barrier for its one million Euro Reventón car. Zircotec’s plasma-sprayed Diamond Black coating is applied to the exhaust and inhibits heat transfer from the tailpipe protecting heat sensitive components from damage.

“Lamborghini needed a durable solution that protected the composite bodywork and components at the rear of the car,” says Zircotec’s sales manager Peter Whyman. “Paint finishes were unable to meet the stringent quality and durability requirements set by Lamborghini. Our coating is plasma-sprayed, in effect welding it to the base material, making it more resilient during heat cycling, life testing and abrasion tests. Together with the new black finish, Zircotec was able to deliver not only a highly durable coating but one that satisfied the requirements of Lamborghini’s Styling Department”. “The Zircotec coating was the only coating that satisfied all our requirements,” adds Luca Meschiari, Head of Exhausts at Lamborghini. “It is durable and offers significantly better performance than any other solution we have seen.”

Lamborghini is the first application for the Diamond Black surface, for which a patent has been applied for. “Up until now, black was only available using high temperature paints,” continues Whyman. “Only using paint is less durable and is therefore not appropriate for OEM applications. We developed this finish as part of an increasing range of individual coatings that can be adjusted to the application and customer requirements. It provides an extremely hard and durable surface that is highly resistant to vibration, mechanical damage and thermal shock.”

As packaging restrictions increase, together with a requirement to reduce weight, the Zircotec coating offers OEMs a robust, easily packaged solution that can dramatically inhibit the transfer of heat from exhausts, turbos and catalysts, protecting heat sensitive components. Proven in Formula One and World Rally, Lamborghini joins other prestige vehicle manufacturers and top level motorsport competitors to benefit from a technology that was originally developed for the nuclear industry. “The technology allows OEMs to quickly resolve heat management, even on existing platforms.”

Zircotec’s zirconia-based ceramics have a thermal efficiency of less than 1.7 W/m K, so provide an excellent thermal barrier. When applied to an exhaust system, the Zircotec coating inhibits the radiation of heat from the surface of the material, holding the heat inside. The coating can also be applied to other metal components including heat shields.

Former Editor in Chief of Modify, a French magazine about luxury tuned cars, Jeremie Paret has several years of experience in car tuning. He developed his interest for cars when he was only 15 years old. From this day, his passion and knowledge did not cease to expand. After graduating with a BTS (French diploma) in Mechanical and Conception, he started his journalist career and worked for “Modify” magazine, for which he became Editor in Chief just after 6 months. He, then, quit after two years to create “International Automotive Business”, a French car company, and started to share his love for vehicles by providing his services to offer the opportunity for people to have a car which will be in accordance with their tastes. This new company owns the trademark Jeremie Paret and offers to its customers to tune their car by a brand new way, with the best quality and the best expertise possible. Each car Jeremie Paret builds is unique, numbered and tuned in France (IAB takes charge of the transport of the cars). Moreover, a complete suite of services is offered for each customer like a private weblog to allow them to follow their cars tuning progress. Each car is made via the Virtual Tuning process before being made in real to allow the customer to see how will look his car. Each car tuned by Jeremie Paret comes with a certificate of authenticity, a photo book using professional photographers and a luxury keychain with the cars number engraved on it. International Automotive Business decided to only work with the best tuners of France, thats why the consultant and official tuner from Auto-Moto – the first TV show about cars in France – works with Jeremie Paret.

The first project of Jeremie Paret is this Lamborghini Gallardo LP560, with Asanti Diamond wheels and pink brakes. It has carbon fiber side skirts, a front bumper with a Reventon style and a carbon fiber lip, and a bigger rear diffuser. The door handle is in carbon fiber too. The interior is fully customizable, with luxury leather/alcantara seats and parts and an Alpine/Focal In Car Entertainment system.

Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera (2007-)

Engine: 10 cylinders 90º V

Displacement: 4961 ccm

Horsepower: 530 @ 8000 rpm

Maximum speed: 315 km/h

Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 3,8 s

Weight: 1360 kg

LxWxH (cm): 430 x 190 x 117

Design: Centro Stile Lamborghini

Lamborghini Gallardo Nera (2006-)

Engine: 10 cylinders 90º V

Displacement: 4961 ccm

Horsepower: 520 @ 8000 rpm

Maximum speed: 315 km/h

Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 4,0 s

Weight: 1430 kg

LxWxH (cm): 430 x 190 x 117

Design: Centro Stile Lamborghini (based on an ItalDesign/Giugiaro concept)

Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder (2005-)

Engine: 10 cylinders 90º V

Displacement: 4961 ccm

Horsepower: 520 @ 8000 rpm

Maximum speed: 314 km/h

Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 4,3 s

Weight: 1570 kg

LxWxH (cm): 430 x 190 x 118

Design: Centro Stile Lamborghini

Lamborghini Gallardo SE (2005-2006)

Engine: 10 cylinders 90º V

Displacement: 4961 ccm

Horsepower: 500 @ 7800 rpm

Maximum speed: 315 km/h

Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 4,0 s

Weight: 1430 kg

LxWxH (cm): 430 x 190 x 117

Design: Centro Stile Lamborghini