Seriously sexah: the Gallardo Spider

Newswheel staff :: 14 September 2005 :: Filed under Cabriolet, Mid / rear engine sportscar, Roadster, Lamborghini, Lamborghini Gallardo Spider, Europe & UK, Trade shows, US,

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Lambo launches damned-desirable drop-top

No surprises, just more raw appeal than you can shake a sexpot at from Lamborghini’s Gallardo Spider, launched at the Frankfurt show today. As expected from prototype mules seen testing in recent months, the production car is less extreme than the Concept S revealed back in February, trading the showcar’s twin-cowl arrangement for a conventional folding roof. But in our eyes, that’s a very good thing – the Concept S was the sort of old school chestwig chariot that the well-funded, Audi-owned Lamborghini of today needn’t flirt with.

So, the final car is a much more practical and professional proposition – the conventional canvas folding roof is a neat job and is claimed to stow away in just 20 seconds. Of course, that’s no less than we’ve come to expect from Lambo’s painfully talented design chief, Belgian Luc Donckerwolke. For sure, the Gallardo driving experience may be a little too consistent and sanitised for some tastes. But for pure road presence, its taut modern lines thoroughly spank the chintzy, fussy Ferrari F430.

As for the new car’s powerplant, it benefits from the mildly upgraded 5-litre V10 that will find its way into all 2006 model-year Gallardos. At 512bhp, it’s 20bhp up on the existing 492bhp lump. Headline performance numbers are 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds and a top whack of 195 with the roof up, and four clicks slower with it down - not that many owners will make a habit of hitting 190 al fresco. Euro sales start Spring 2006, prices have yet to be set but expect a fairly hefty premium over the hard top Gallardo. Sorry Granny, but it’s off to the glue factory for you - we simply must have a Gallardo Spider, and you’ll fetch a penny or two.