Lamborghini Launched the new Gallardo recently. Touted as a Ferrari basher the Gallardo will compete directly with the F360 Modena. As the story goes, once Ferrucio Lamborghini, a self made millionaire went to Enzo Ferrari with a complaint that his Ferrari wasn't performing well. Enzo dismissed him asking him to go back to building tractors which is what Lamborghini did in those days, somewhere in the 60 I believe. What Ferrucio did was to get back and collect the best engineers he could find in Italy and set out to build a car that would rival the Ferrari. Four decades later, it seems, he has succeded. Expect a price tag of about 125,000 dollars. But the price is right for a V-10 car producing in excess of 500 BHP (that is about a 100 more than the F360 Modena). Maximum torque of 510 Nm and 0 to 100 Km/ph in just 4.1 seconds and a top speed of about 309 km/hr.

Type : V-10 90 degree, 18 degree crankpin offset, light-alloy block, mid mounted (longitudal), permantent four-wheel drive with viscous traction system

Distribution : Dual overhead camshafts

Main bearings : n.a.

Cyl. Capacity : 4961 cc

Bore & stroke : 82.5 x 92.8 mm

Intake system : Variable geometry

Valve gear : Chain driven, intake and exhaust continuously variable valve timing, electronically controlled.

Compr. ratio : 11.0:1

Max. power : 500 bhp (367 kW) at 7800 rpm

Max. torque : 510 Nm at 4500 rpm

Cooling system: Two water radiators + gearbox oil cooler + engine oil cooler

Emission contr.: Catalytic converters with lambda sensors

Engine management : Lamborghini L.I.E., with individual static ignition, multipoint sequential fuel injection, drive-by-wire system, OBD system

Plugs : n.a.

Electr. system : 12 V

Alternator : n.a.

Fuel type : Unleaded 95 R.O.N.

Fuel cons. : n.a.

Lubrication : Dry sump

Top speed : 309 Km/h (192 Mph)

0 - 100 Km/h : 4.2 sec

Type : Lamborghini six-speed + reverse manual all-synchromesh

Optional : Robotized sequential E-gear system with actuation by paddles on the steering column

Clutch : Double plate

Disc diameter : 215 mm

Structure : Structural alumnium space frame, based on aluminium extruded parts welded to aluminium caster joint elements

Body : Aluminium with thermoplastic 'hang on' parts

Suspension : Double wishbones front and rear suspension, anti-roll bar, anti-dive and anti-squat 'self adjusting' FSD dampers

ESP : Full ESP system with ABS, ASR and ABD

Brakes : All wheel ventilated discs, power vacuum, aluminium alloy calipers : 8 cylinders front caliper and 4 cylinders rear caliper

Front : 365 x 34 mm

Rear : 335 x 32 mm

Steering type : Power-assisted rack and pinion, n.a. turns lock to lock

Turning circle : 11.5 m

Front tyre size : 235/35 ZR 19

Rear tyre size : 295/30 ZR 19

Type : Pirelli P ZERO 'ROSSO' with asymmetric unidirectional tread

Front rim size : 8.5 x 19 inch

Rear rim size : 11x19 inch

Type : Monoblock alloy wheels

Mirrors : External mirror with electrical closing and heating system, internal mirror with anti-blinding system

Rear Spoiler : Electronically controlled

Airbags : Front 'dual stage' driver and passenger airbags, side 'head-thorax' airbags

Wheelbase : 2560 mm (100.7 in)

Overall length : 4300 mm (169.3 in)

Overall width : 1900 mm (74.8 in)

Overall height : 1165 mm (45.9 in)

Front track : 1622 mm (63.9 in)

Rear track : 1592 mm (62.7 in)

Ground clear. : n.a.

Front overhang : n.a.

Rear overhang : n.a.

Weight : 1430 kg

Distribution : 42/58 % front / rear

Fuel : 90 Lt

Engine oil : 10 Lt.

Cooling system : 20 Lt.

Luggage : n.a.

Price : US MSRP estimated at $ 165,000 to $ 170,000

Lamborghini Gallardo designed by : ItalDesign - Giugiaro concept further developed by the Lamborghini Centro Stile.

Gallardo built by : Automobili Lamborghini SpA.

Other models : Miura | Countach | Diablo | Murcielago