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20

10 Lamborghini

Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni Automobili Lamborghini SpA, Via Modena, 12, 40019 Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy; www.lamborghini.com

0−60 mph at

a g

la

nc

e

3.5 sec0−¼ mile

11.5 secTop speed

est 199 mphSkidpad

0.95gSlalom

72.5 mph

Test notes: acceLerationdisable eSP and rev the engine to 3500 rpm. Let the clutch out smoothly, but quickly, while apply-ing as much throttle as possible. expect slight wheelspin. Be mindful of the rev limiter and shift appropriately.

Test notes: brakingThe Balboni’s pedal is stiff but linear, and re-sponsive to modulation...ideal traits for a mid-engine sports car. The chassis is stable under aBS and in transitions, plus it understeers mildly during trail-braking.

Test notes: handLingThe 550-2’s staggered tire widths produce mild understeer, which makes for stable transitions in the slalom, together with moderate body roll. The front end also doesn’t bind in tight turns , thanks to the Balboni’s rear-drive architecture.

Pricing

List price $219,800Price as tested $255,295Price as tested incl std equip. (am/Fm/cd, naviga-tion with rearview camera, leather surfaces/roof/pillars, Bluetooth, dual-zone auto. climate cntrl, cruise cntrl, keyless entry; pwr windows, mirrors & door locks), carbon ceramic Brakes ($15,600), carbon engine bay trim ($4235), Int carbon Pkg I ($4150), heated power seats ($3630), Light Pkg ($1815), anti-theft ($665), perf. leather steering wheel ($650), Travel Pkg ($650), dest charge & gas-guzzler tax ($4100).

general data

Curb weight est 3210 lbTest weight est 3380 lbWeight dist(with driver) , f/r %

est 715 lb est 945 lb

43% 57%

est 755 lb est 965 lb

Wheelbase 100.8 in.Track, f/r 64.3 in./62.9 in.Length 171.1 in.Width 74.8 in.Height 45.9 in.Ground clearance 5.5 in.Trunk space 3.9 cu ft

accommodations

Seating capacity 2Head room: 35.0 in.Seat width: 2 x 17.0 in.Leg room 45.0 in.Seatback adjustment 30 degSeat travel 8.0 in.

instrumentation

210-mph speedometer, 10,000-rpm tachometer, coolant temp, fuel level

safetyaBS, dual front* & side airbags, traction & yaw control, TPmS*, front seatbelt pretensioners,

front seatbelt force limiters*Government mandated.

warranty

Basic warranty 3 years/unlimited milesPowertrain 3 years/unlimited milesRust-through 3 years/unlimited miles

engineType/layout aluminum block & heads,

v-10/longitudinal

Valvetrain dohc 4-valve/cyl, variable timing, chain drive

Displacement 318 cu in./5204 ccBore x stroke 3.33 x 3.65 in./

84.5 x 92.8 mm

Compression ratio 12.5:1Horsepower (DIN) 550 bhp @ 8000 rpmBhp/liter 105.7Torque 398 lb-ft @ 6500 rpmRedline/limiter 8500/8250 rpmFuel injection directRecommended fuel premium

drivetrainTransmission: 6-speed manualGear Ratio Overall ratio (Rpm) Mph1st 3.31:1 13.44:1 (8250) 472nd 2.05:1 8.32:1 (8250) 763rd 1.46:1 5.93:1 (8250) 1064th 1.14:1 4.63:1 (8250) 1365th 0.94:1 3.82:1 (8250) 1656th 078:1 3.17:1 est (8250) 199

Final drive ratio 4.06:1Engine rpm @ 60 mph in top gear 2500

chassis & body

Layout mid engine/rear driveBody/frame aluminumBrakes Front: 15.0-in. carbon-ceramic,

drilled, floating & vented discs/6-piston fixed calipers

Rear: 14.0-in. carbon-ceramic, drilled, floating & vented discs/4-piston fixed calipers

Assist type vacuum, aBSWheels Front: cast alloy, 19 x 8½

Rear: cast alloy, 19 x 11Tires Pirelli P Zero

Front: 235/35ZR-19 91YRear: 295/30ZR-19 100Y

Spare tire puncture kitSteering rack & pinion,

power assist

Steering ratio 12.0:1Steering-wheel diameter 14.1 in.Turns, lock to lock 2.8Turning circle 37.7 ftSuspension

Front: upper & lower a-arms, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar

Rear: upper & lower a-arms, coil springs,

tube shocks, anti-roll bar

acceleration

Time to distance seconds0–100 ft 2.50–500 ft 6.40–900 ft 9.10–1320 ft (¼ mile) ■ 11.5 @ 126.7 mph

Time to speed, sec

0–120 mph 10.50–110 mph 9.00–100 mph 7.50–90 mph 6.40–80 mph 5.40–70 mph 4.20–60 mph 3.50–50 mph 2.80–40 mph 1.90–30 mph 1.40–20 mph 0.90–10 mph 0.2

braking

Minimum stopping distanceFrom 60 mph 115 ftFrom 80 mph 200 ftTotal swept area 768 sq in.Swept area/ton 478 sq in.

handling

Lateral acceleration* 0.95gBalance mild understeerSlalom speed** 72.5 mphBalance mild understeerLateral seat support very good*200-ft skidpad; **700-ft slalom, 100-ft spacing.

fuel economy

Our driving est 13.0 mpgEPA city/highway 12/20 mpgCruise range est 310 milesFuel capacity 23.8 gal.

interior noise

Idle in neutral 55 dBaMaximum in 1st gear 84 dBaConstant 50 mph 72 dBaConstant 70 mph 76 dBa

test conditions

Temperature 79˚ FHumidity 45.5%Elevation 350 ftWind lightLocation Irvine, california

the official Fuel partner of road & trackenrichedgasolines

RT1109_RTlamgal_r1.indd 41 9/3/09 2:34:38 PM