Click for enlarged image
Here are the full details of the rear wheel drive Gallardo we saw earlier this week. The new rear wheel drive version of the Gallardo will be limited to 250 units only, and has been christened the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni. Now you probably get what LP 550-2 means – 550 PS and 2 driven wheels, but what about the VB?
Valentino Balboni is actually a test driver who has helped shape many legends such as the Lamborghini Miura from the 60s to the current Gallardo and Murcielago. He was hired personally by Lamborghini’s founder in 1967 but he is retired now after 40 years with Lamborghini. Feedback from Balboni guides Lamborghini engineers to finetune their car to become a car with qualities that Balboni refers to as “the precision of a race car with the reliability of a good friend”.
The LP550-2 is not a mere regular Gallardo with the all-wheel drive system removed. The car now weighs 1,380kg dry and goes from 0 to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds, thanks to its 550 PS 5.2 litre V10. Various settings like springs, dampers, stabilisers, aerodynamics and even the tyres had to be modified for rear wheel drive. The 45% LSD rear axle was also redeveloped, and the e-gear automated manual transmission has also been recalibrated. The ESP’s CORSA (race) program now permits greater drift angles, something that you really must have with rear wheel drive!
Look after the jump for the previously showcased 4 photos.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
Drift Car bebeh…let go!
hahaha..sure djan and tsuchiya will get their hands on this mean machine. owh the white centre console looks so contrast..not nice..
luckily its only 250 units, not big volume productions…..
the absence of the brilliant 4wd system has really spoiled this gallardo……
Damn… Gotta have this car!
mitlanevo said,
July 1, 2009 @ 11:02 am
luckily its only 250 units, not big volume productions…..
the absence of the brilliant 4wd system has really spoiled this gallardo……
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I wouldn't say spoiled. It would just be a different beast. Probably done up for homologation rules for GT3.
Which only means one thing. The street homologated R8 GT3 must also be also around the corner.
I've seen a documentary featuring VB fine tuning all Lambo cars sent by owners to him. He has the best job of driving Lambo's then asking engineers to do few tweekings to suit his liking.
Luckily this VB is refering to the legendary Lambo test driver. If it means 'Victoria Beckham' then really there will be no use/value at all…
mitlanevo said,
July 1, 2009 @ 11:02 am
luckily its only 250 units, not big volume productions…..
the absence of the brilliant 4wd system has really spoiled this gallardo……
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Bro, U really dont understand the beauty of RWD and how irritating the 4WD system in lambo.
Some 4WD car build their 4WD sys to immitate RWD….and the did well. And the result id a more civilized safe & intelligent RWD and no more thrill, the system took over the control and not you. No more relationship between driver-machine-track. No point to me
I remember watching Rides on TV where the journalist have a thrill experience with Valentino Balboni in Murcielago. He is definately an experienced driver. He take away 2 cars in front of him head to head with a long trailer. Wow! I used to do that on my late father's Iswara and dare not to do it again (maybe when only I drive a lamborghini).
ahhh……lamborghini back to their root….how i missed lamborghini RWD…this will revive the old Countach RWD feeling. AWD are too civilize.
if AWD are too civilised, many cars are dead by now….
GTR, Audi's Quattro, Evo, Impreza etc etc…..
remove the AWD system of Gallardo is like stepping backwards on a great achievement…..
second tat……AWD are too civilised, some tryin to be fake RWD