Lamborghini has taken the wraps off of what is essentially a Spyder (Convertible) version of the Valentino Balboni LP550-2 at this year’s LA Auto Show. The exclusive rear-wheel-drive setup and power-folding top make it one-of-a-kind.

The new Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 engine pumping 542 horsepower (550 PS – metric bhp) and 398 pound-feet of torque. Power is directed to the rear wheels through a 6-speed e-gear transmission. With this setup, the LP550-2 Spyder will max out at 198 mph and run 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds.

Interestingly enough, the last rear-wheel-drive convertible Lamborghini, the Diablo SV Roadster, was back in 1998. Look for the Lamborghini LP550-2 Spyder to hit showroom floors just before Summer of 2012.

2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder Press Release

Automobili Lamborghini is expanding the most successful model line ever built under the sign of the bull with a very special car – the new Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder combines the open spyder body style with purist rear Wheel Drive. This version brings together that stunning level of open-air driving fun that can come only from a super sports car with a folding roof and an unbelievably agile and spontaneous handling.

“With the Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder, we are expanding the Lamborghini lineup with a purist model that adds yet another dimension of driving fun. This will appeal in particular to a very special group of customers that enjoy a spirited driving style and also like to experience the sheer pleasure of open-air driving,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “This special model with rear-wheel drive is a logical expansion of our lineup of spyder models with all-wheel drive.”

The most important technical characteristics of the Lamborghini LP 550-2 Spyder are already recognizable from the model designation – LP stands for Longitudinale/Posteriore, for the mid-engine built longitudinally in front of the rear axle. 550 refers to the power output in hp, and the 2 stands for the drive to the rear wheels. At Lamborghini, the word spyder means the ultimate synthesis of a fascinating, powerfully expressive super sports car design, the ultimate open-air thrill and sheer pleasure for all the senses.

A driving experience of the highest precision

The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder with rear-wheel drive is the perfect fit for the kind of sports car driver that enjoys a particularly hands-on and spirited style of driving. The setup is laid out to ensure that the rear end remains reliable and stable at all times, while the front axle steers with the highest level of precision and limits movement to an absolute minimum.

Thanks to the supremely powerful V10 engine, controlled oversteer is not a problem, although always and only to the extent prescribed by the driver. Its easy-to-control road manners and the ESP assistant system developed for these vehicles make the Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder an outstandingly safe sports car to drive.

Further developed chassis, drive system and engine

In order to shape this unique character of driving fun and safety, the engineers in Sant’Agata Bolognese carried out extensive modifications to the Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder, developing it specifically for these new characteristics. Not only was drive concentrated on the rear axle, the vehicle was also completely retuned in all its dynamic details. This Includes a specific dampers setting. The aerodynamics were also adapted to account for the change in the distribution of forces.

The vehicle show out its goods with a rear axle with the 45-percent locking differential, and the adoption of the e-gear transmission. All completed with a fine adaptation of the ESP stability control system. While the standard program puts a priority on stability, the CORSA program allows larger drift angles and delivers a highly intensive appreciation of the full dynamics of the LP 550-2. All the excellent characteristics of the Gallardo chassis are fully retained – its pleasing bodyroll comfort, as well as its excellent directional stability at high speed.

Outstanding performance is guaranteed

The heart of the Gallardo – the 5.2-liter ten-cylinder – was also retuned and its characteristics optimized for rear-wheel drive, delivering that perfect and breathtaking synthesis of high-revving pleasure, pulling power, exuberant temperament and powerful melody in all keys. In the LP 550-2 Spyder, the compact and lightweight power unit delivers 405 kW (550 hp). Thanks to systematic Lamborghini lightweight design and an extremely low dry weight of just 1,520 kilograms, phenomenal performance is guaranteed – the LP 550-2 catapults itself from zero to 100 km/h in just 4,2 seconds. And its top speed of 319km/h guarantees it a place among the ultimate super sports cars. The soft-top of the Gallardo Spyder is designed for unlimited top-speed enjoyment both open and closed.

Careful individualization of the lineup

With the Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder, Lamborghini is expanding its most successful model line of all time (to-date a total of nearly 11.800 have been built in Sant’Agata Bolognese) with a stunning variant that continues the successful individualization of its lineup. This includes the LP 560-4 Spyder, as well as the ultra-high-performance Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante, which boasts an even further weight reduction through carbon-fiber lightweight engineering. The latest version among the coupe variants is the Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale – the road-going version of the race car featured in the world’s fastest single-brand racing series.

Source: Lamborghini

Lately Lamborghini has been known for introducing several “one-off” versions of their beasts. It does not stop with just a normal Murcielago or an every-day run-of-the-mill Gallardo. No, they take it up a few notches. BAAM!… here is yet another notch, in a different direction… the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 driven by Valentino Balboni… A Documercial Video. Enjoy the video after the jump.

Check out our brandnew film for Lamborghini featuring Valentino Balboni, the world’s most famous testdriver and the Gallardo special edition, especially made for him and presented by him.

The fastest monument ever built.

The new Gallardo LP 550-2 “Valentino Balboni”.

PRESS RELEASE

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni – Driving fun with absolute precision

He has long been revered as one of the many legends surrounding the world’s most uncompromising sports car brand – Valentino Balboni, a remarkable test driver with his own personal cult status. Automobili Lamborghini now presents a model in his honour and bearing his name – the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni.

The latest version of the Gallardo, Lamborghini’s most successful model of all time – overall, more than 9,000 units of the model range have already been produced – boasts not only its own distinctive design and exclusive equipment, but its technology is unique too, as indicated by the model badge: the 550 stands for the power output in hp and the 2 is for rear wheel drive.

For several decades, Valentino Balboni has had a distinct influence on the character of the super sports car bearing the sign of the bull. With his fine-tuning and testing work, he has helped to shape many automotive legends, from the Lamborghini Miura of the 60s through to the current Gallardo and Murciélago models. Balboni was hired in 1967 by company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini himself. From early on, it was evident that the young Balboni had a special feel for cars, that most sensitive of all instincts that connects to the ‘life blood’ of an automobile and defines the soul of a test driver.

“A Lamborghini must always combine the precision of a race car with the reliability of a good friend,” says Balboni. Since 1973, he has sat at the wheel of every prototype built by the brand, and even most production cars have passed through his hands before being delivered to their customers. This has turned Balboni into one of the most important representatives of the brand, with an outstanding reputation and status among the brand’s fans and customers worldwide.

Limited to 250 units

After over 40 years with Lamborghini, Balboni is now officially retired. Yet, Valentino Balboni continues to travel to many countries around the world as an ambassador of the brand.
The special exclusivity of the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni is guaranteed – it is limited to 250 units.

Light-footed yet extremely safe

With this latest version of the Gallardo, Lamborghini is honouring its long-standing test driver in a very special way. The LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni was conceived in line with his own thinking, and it meets many customers’ requests for a model with a unique character, which offers a very special kind of active driving fun. The Balboni model is the only current Lamborghini that delivers its power to the road via its rear wheels alone.

Rear wheel drive has a special appeal to those sports car drivers who enjoy a particular driving style. Thanks to the eminently powerful V10 driveline, controlled oversteer is no problem – naturally always to the extent defined by the driver – because refined road manners and perfectly tuned assistance systems mean that the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni is an exceptionally safe sports car to drive.

Driving fun with unique character

In order to shape this unique character that combines driving fun and safety, the engineers at Sant’Agata Bolognese have incorporated extensive modifications into the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni. It was not simply a question of moving the transmission to the rear axle, the vehicle had to be adjusted and tuned in every element of its driving dynamics. This includes springs, dampers, stabilisers and even the tyres. The aerodynamics were also adjusted to take account of the change to the power flow.

The rear axle differential, with a 45 percent limited slip, was also redeveloped, as was the calibration of the e-gear transmission. One significant point was the adjustments made to the ESP system. While the standard program is focused on high stability, the CORSA program permits greater drift angles, thus enabling drivers to enjoy the dynamics of the LP 550-2 to their full extent.

Outstanding performance is guaranteed

Adjustments have also been made to the very heart of the Gallardo, the 5.2 litre ten-cylinder: the perfect synthesis of hi-revving pleasure, pulling power, a constantly exuberant temperament and a powerful symphony played in all keys. In the Valentino Balboni, the compact and lightweight power unit generates 405 kW (550 hp). At a dry weight of only 1,380 kilograms, this guarantees outstanding performance: the LP 550-2 is catapulted from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62mph) in a breathtaking 3.9 seconds, while the top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph) guarantees its place among the ultimate in super sports cars.

Powerful elegance in its distinctive design

The Valentino Balboni is not only unique in terms of its technology: its design and equipment reinforce its exclusivity. Its classic sporting character is emphasised by a colour strip in white and gold running from the front panel over the roof and parts of the engine cover all the way to the rear spoiler, with inspiration from the classic sports cars from the ’70s. This colour treatment underscores the powerful elegance of the Gallardo and emphasises the unique Lamborghini design DNA. The Special Edition is available in eight colours, from Bianco Monocerus through to Verde Ithaca, or Arancio Borealis to Nero Noctis. The Scorpius wheels retain their dark grey finish, while the brake callipers come in black, orange or yellow, depending on the exterior paint finish.

Classic sporting look for the interior, too

The characteristic colour combination is repeated in the interior. The basic colour of the full leather upholstery is black. Both seats, however, feature the colour strip in white. The centre console is completely upholstered in Polar white leather to create a powerful accent. A badge below the left side window bears the signature of Valentino Balboni and the production number of the car.

The exclusivity of the Valentino Balboni is augmented further by its extensive equipment. Alongside several new leather features in the interior, there is also the transparent engine cover, the rear view camera, the navigation system with Bluetooth and the lifting system for the front axle that makes it easier to drive over obstacles. In addition to the extensive standard equipment, a list of further options is available including e-gear transmission and carbon ceramic brakes.

Suggested retail price – without taxes
Europe:
162.000 €

UK:
137.900 £

USA:
219.800 $