2010 Lamborghini Gallardo Review
The Lamborghini Gallardo needs no introduction. This Italian marquee is instantly identifiable as a super-sports car, and rightfully so. Consider the production output of the Gallardo since its 2003 introduction to the world: slightly over 10,000 have been produced at the Sant’Agata Bolognese plant—making it the most prolific Lamborghini to roll off the assembly line. Whereas more plebeian cars such as Toyota or Ford will see many of their models reproduced hundreds of thousands of times (in large part made by robots), Lamborghini hand-builds every single car. That fact plus the fact that very few people can afford the car sheds some light on the production numbers.
The Gallardo is available in either coupe, spyder (convertible) or in the Balboni Edition (which is the only Gallardo available with a rear-wheel drive configuration). The Gallardo comes standard with a monstrous, pavement-burning 5.0 liter V10 and can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or, optionally, a 6-speed electro hydraulic manual. The latter (dubbed E-Shift) allows for much swifter gear selections—via steering wheel-mounted paddles—and can also automatically convert to an automatic transmission. Impressive, yes?
Upon plopping down in the driver’s seat—where your buttocks will instantly be cushioned by firm, silky smooth leather—you automatically know that you “have arrived”. Upon igniting the rocket…err, engine…you get to experience an exhaust note that’s nothing short of goose-bump inspiring: a deep, throaty—yet refined—note it gives off. Of course, grabbing the H-shape gear selector is usually priority #1 and you really feel the power behind it…well, that and the accelerator. The latter can even be intimidating; lest you forget that 500+ stallions are at its beck and call.
The first time the Gallardo’s engine is punched, that’s when the real magic begins. It’ll easily take a 0-60 straightaway in a blisteringly fast 3 seconds, and the fact that its top speed is about 195 mph makes it one of Earth's fastest cars ever produced. Not bad for a baby Lambo. Additionally, the handling or the heavy coupe is very surprising. It’ll take the tight corners and other maneuvering gestures like the best of them.—thanks in part to the standard all-wheel drive system.
The following statement has to be taken into context: everything is relative (thanks Einstein). The Gallardo is the most affordable Lamborghini on the market—at a paltry $200,000. Consider the Murcielago’s price tag of $300+k and you get the point. It’s been dubbed “the baby Lamborghini” because of its more of an everyday workhorse/commuter than other supercars. Make no mistake, though—the Gallardo is still a world-class sports car. The 500+ ponies under the hood and 190+mph speed-limit perfectly validate the latter fact.
