Thursday 5 July 2012

The History of the Lamborghini Gallardo

Back in 2003, Lamborghini has started to produce their most successful supercar ever, the Gallardo. After 8 years of production, over 12.000 Gallardos came out the Sant'Agata Bolognese factory making it the most-produced Lamborghini ever. Over the years Lamborghini made a 2nd generation and several editions, but what impresses more is how much marketing and work has put Lamborghini to develop and sell so many countless limited editions, let's take a look below to a quick view to all the kind of road production Gallardo they have made in chronological order:

The beginning: the 2004 Gallardo



 In late 2004 Lamborghini gave two special Gallardos to the Polizia, used to patrol the highways and to transport human organs.

In 2005 they introduced the 1st limited edition called Gallardo SE, just 250 units have been made, it came with a black roof and side mirrors, two tone interior (matching the colour of the car), standard sat nav and rear camera.



In 2006, the Gallardo had a restyling by adding 20hp (520hp in total), a louder exhaust with valves, new steering rack, improved suspension, 1st and 5th gear have been lowered.

2006 is time to make the Gallardo roofless
In late 2006 they introduced another special edition called Gallardo Nera, just 185 units have been made, it came black with matte black highlights, black wheels and a two tone white/black interior.
In 2007 arrived the hardcore version called Superleggera, 100kg lighter and with 10hp more than the Gallardo. They planned 350 units but the production stopped just after 172 units, a flop for Lamborghini.

 In 2007 to celebrate the victory of the italian football team of the world football championship, Lamborghini Padova made a unique Gallardo Italia, featuring the tricolour on the roof and a special alcantara blue interior.

2008 is time for the 2nd generation and improved version called Gallardo LP560-4 with a new 5.2 V10 engine that produces 560hp.


Later that year, the LP560-4 Spyder.

 In late 2008 the old Gallardo Polizia has been retired and replaced by two new LP560-4 Polizia for the same use.

In 2009 Lamborghini dedicates a car to its former chief test driver and it's called LP550-2 Valentino Balboni. It features a strip on the car and RWD system, it has 550hp and it's 30kg lighter. Just 250 units made.
In 2010 comes the LP570-4 Superleggera, 70kg lighter and with 10hp more than the LP560-4. This time it's not a limited edition.

 In late 2010 they introduced the LP570-4 Spyder Performante, the Superleggera version to the LP560-4 Spyder.

The last limited edition in 2010 is the LP570-4 Blancpain Edition. It features elements taken from the SuperTrofeo racecar, carbon ceramic brakes, yellow calipers and alcantara interior. It's 70kg lighter than the LP570-4 and limited to 12 units.

In 2011 comes the Bicolore edition available for the LP560-4 and LP550-2 with a two tone paintjob.


Later that year they introduced the LP550-2 Tricolore, it basicly features the italian tricolour on the car and in the driver's seat. Only 150 units have been produced, probably the most pointless edition ever.
Yet in that year, the Singapore Limited Edition was introduced: it's an LP550-2 with elements taken from the LP570-4 with also a red strip. Just 10 units made and available only in Singapore, indeed it's made to celebrate the 10th year of Lambo in this market.

Once again in 2011 they present another car, the most extreme Gallardo called SuperTrofeo Stradale, it's an LP570-4 that features elements from the SuperTrofeo racecar, it's 30kg lighter than the LP570-4 Superleggera. Just 150 units made.
In late 2011 they presented the LP560-4 Noctis, available just for China and Hong Kong and available with dark grey/silver or dark blue/silver body colours.
3 years after the LP560-4 Spyder comes the LP550-2 Spyder, its RWD version.

Let's start 2012 with a limited edition called Malaysia Limited Edition. Limited to just 20 units in Malaysia, it's basicly an LP550-2 with elements taken from the LP570-4 such as the front/back bumper.
In 2012 the LP560-4 Oro Elios was introduced, it features Oro Elios paintjob and red brake calipers.
At the same time of the Oro Elios, Lamborghini has introduced the BiancoRosso edition, it's available only in Japan and it celebrates the 45th anniversary of the brand in the country. It comes in white paintjob with red highlights that represents the colours of the japanese flag, limited to just 10 units.
Actually it's the lastest edition made (who knows how many others they will produce..), it's called HK20 and it's made to celebrate the 20th anniversary with their Hong Kong importer. Just 8 units will be produced. It's an LP550-2 and features matte gold wheels, gold " Spyder Perfomante " stripes and red E-Gear paddles.

Post has been updated with the Gallardo LP550-2 GZ8 Limited Edition, limited to 8 units. On the outside it shows orange Callisto wheels, SuperTrofeo and engine bonnet wing, LP570-4 side stripes style, a new front bumper. The interior doesn't look much different from a standard LP560-4, except for the stitchings that reminds you that you're driving a limited edition

During the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini has showed up the facelift of the 2013my of the Lamborghini LP560-4, and features a new (controversial) front and back bumper.

 In Paris they've showed up also the LP570-4 Superleggera Edizione Tecnica (available also for the Spyder Performante), this edition features standard carbon ceramic brakes and rear wing, and 3 different exclusive paintjobs with the contrast of orange highlights.

In June, 2013 Lamborghini has shown yet another edition dedicated to the Indian market, the Gallardo LP550-2 India Serie Speciale. Limited to 6 units, it features a different stripe than the standard Balboni in order to make the Indian flag and also, the car can be ordered just in orange, white or green.. wonder why?

In September, 2013 Lamborghini comes to the Frankfurt Motor Show with the Gallardo LP570-4 Squadra Corse, basicly it's a SuperTrofeo Stradale with the front and back bumpers of the restyled Gallardo, an interesting option is the new set of Pirelli P Zero Corsa Trofeo R sports tires.

At the end of November, here comes the end of an era. A Rosso Mars LP570-4 Spyder Performance is the last Gallardo to roll out the production line. By the start of the making of their most successful model, Lamborghini has produced 14022 Gallardos!

15 comments:

  1. Complimenti per la magnifica descrizione. Preciso e chiaro come sempre.

    E tanti complimenti alla Lamborghini per avere tanta pazienza nel marketing.

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  2. Indeed I never knew there was this much different versions of the Gallardo.
    All though there's much limited editions, my favourite has always been the original LP560-4.

    Marchettino, which one you prefer the most? RWD Balbino or?

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  3. Grazie Tommaso! ;)

    Kinnu, my fav is certainly the old Superleggera, it's the less successful edition but I think it's the best ever made.

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    1. Marco, for the LP570-4 , it says it has 30hp more than the lp-560... isnt it 10hp more than the LP560-4?

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    2. Yeah that's true, post has been modified, thanks! ;)

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  4. Personally I absolutely adore Lamborghini and thank You Marchettino for this sum-up. I would pick the Singapore Edition:D

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  5. If I could choose any of these it would be the LP550-2 Valentino Balboni!

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  6. MafiaMan(Roko Jurjevic)6 July 2012 at 01:58

    Thank you for gathering them up for us

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  7. So, suma summarum:
    28 editions plus 2 police, and we have the most sold Lambo ever :)
    Great job Marco... Tell me, do you know something about that 29., Indonesia edition or is that just rumor? Thanks!

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  8. Thank you Marco for the list! My top 3 Favorite are 1) Original LP560-4 2) Squadra Corse 3) 1st gen. plain Gallardo

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  9. Great pictures, thanks for the share.

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  10. Great pictures, thanks for the share.

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  11. Good morning, Thank you for the information, I just purchased the 2009 serial number 001 lp560-4 from a person who I dont think had any idea what he owned. I know it will be worth a pretty penny to someone at some point. I know for now I will just enjoy it
    Do you think it will affect the resale value on the car being number 1 in 2009

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  12. Hi Marco,
    did Lamborghini produce a very late model LP 560-4 with the controversial rear bumper and the squadra corse front bumper?
    I ask this as they sell in their Lamborghini parts catalogue the FLII front and rear bumper upgrade for the LP series and I have made this upgrade to my 2011 LP560-4.
    cheers,
    lamboperth

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