This is the latest bull from Sant’Agata Bolognese, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder. As the name suggests, this latest Gallardo variant comes with a 550 hp V10 engine, and the “-2″ stands for the two driven wheels, the rear ones. So this is a mid-engined RWD beast, the topless sister of the tin top LP550-2 Valentino Balboni.

“With the Gallardo LP550-2 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. This special model with RWD is a logical expansion of our lineup of spyder models with AWD,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Lamborghini.

Lambo says that the LP550-2 Spyder is for those who “enjoys a particularly hands-on and spirited style of driving,” while assuring that the setup tuned to “ensure that the rear end remains reliable and stable at all times.” Playing angel and devil, Lambo further tells us that “controlled oversteer is not a problem, although always and only to the extent prescribed by the driver.”

Compared to the AWD Spyder, this one has a specific damper setting and adapted aerodynamics. The rear axle is fitted with a 45% locking differential. While the standard ESP program puts a priority on stability, Corsa mode allows larger drift angles and delivers a “highly intensive appreciation of the full dynamics of the LP550-2.” What colourful language!

The 1,520 kg LP550-2 does 0-100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds on to a top speed of 319 km/h, and Lambo says there’s no problem doing it (we mean top speed runs) al fresco.

Well, such is the way the world works – one eventually has to pander to the demands which scream “daily driver,” even if you happen to be making supercars. According to a report, Automobili Lamborghini is mulling over the addition of an “everyday” model to its line-up, so says its CEO, Stephan Winkelmann.

“We are going to have a third model. It has to be an everyday car. We want to have a car which is able to be used on a daily basis,” Winkelmann was quoted as saying. Of course, the company hasn’t quite firmed up yet in which segment the car will belong to, but he added that once a decision is made, it’ll take about four years to put the new bull on the road.

The report adds that Winkelmann states that Lambo isn’t planning to work with a partner on the new model, but he did also say that the company will use synergies where possible within the Volkswagen group.

In related news, the new Aventador is certainly turning out to be a brisk seller – not due until the second half of the year is it due, but it’s already sold out for the first one and a half years of its production. And, while sales haven’t quite returned to the heady levels of 2007, the company’s record year in which it sold 2,430 cars, Lambo should be well on the way to around 1,500 cars this year, a couple hundred more than in 2010.

The Geneva superstar that is the Lamborghini Aventador will have a production run of maximum 4,000 units, according to Autocar UK. This figure is quite near to that of its predecessor; Lambo made 4,099 examples of the Murcielago.

The Aventador has a full monocoque made from carbon fibre, and according to factory sources, the CF moulds that are used to construct the monocoque can be used up to 500 times before they have to be replaced. Sant’Agata has set aside eight sets of monocoque moulds for the Aventador project which adds up to 4,000 units.

The carbon monocoque saves weight, helping the new supercar tip the scales at only 1,575 kg. It is powered by a new 6.5-litre V12 has 700 hp and 690 Nm. 0-100 km/h is done in 2.9 seconds while top speed is 350 km/h. It looks every inch the poster king too, click here to revisit our story on the Aventador.

Billionaires, catch the bull while you can!

The Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 has been revealed. This Murciélago successor is set to be the new benchmark in the supercar world thanks to a new engine and gearbox combo and innovative carbon fibre monocoque construction. If you’re wondering, Aventador was the name of a bull that entered into battle in October 1993 at the Saragossa Arena, earning the ‘Trofeo de la Peña La Madroñera’ for its outstanding courage.

What’s under the dramatic skin of the Aventador is outstanding as well. There’s a completely new engine that’s ‘extremely powerful and high-revving’ but compact and lightweight at 235 kg. The 6.5-litre V12 pushes out 700 horses at 8,250 rpm, while maximum torque is 690 Nm at 5,500 rpm. Lambo says that the torque curve is ‘extremely well-rounded’ with ‘bull-like pulling power in every situation’. Acoustics is of course a main selling point as well.

Its partner in crime is the new 7-speed ISR transmission, designed for “the world’s most emotional gearshift feel”. Shift times for this single clutch ‘box are quick – 40% faster than the Gallardo’s e.gear and almost 50% less than a dual-clutch unit, says Lambo – thanks to the Independent Shifting Rod. Apparently, ISR has smaller dimensions than a manual gearbox. We’ve covered this new V12 and ISR transmission before – click here to read more.

Power is laid down on the tarmac via permanent all-wheel drive. A self-blocking rear differential together with a front differential electronically controlled by ESP contribute to dynamic handling. The Drive Select Mode System lets the driver choose vehicle characteristics (engine, transmission, differential, steering and dynamic control) from three settings – Strada (road), Sport and Corsa (track). Pushrod spring and damper suspension inspired by F1 and carbon ceramic brakes are in each corner.

The Aventador has a full monocoque made from carbon fibre, meaning that the entire occupant cell, with tub and roof, is one single physical component. This benefits rigidity, handling and safety. The entire CF monocoque weighs only 147.5 kg. Together with the front and rear aluminium frames, it weighs only 229.5 kg and torsional stiffness is an amazing 35,000 Nm per degree.

With all these weight trimming, Lambo’s new hero tips the scales at only 1,575 kg, which is really impressive. So with 700 horses pulling the weight of a Camry 2.0 plus me in it, 0-100 km/h acceleration is done in just 2.9 seconds. Push on and you’ll reach 350 km/h. Lambo points out that while performance and power is up by 8%, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are down by around 20% from the Murciélago.

The 4.78 m long, 2.26 m wide and 1.136 m tall (or rather short) Aventador continues the tradition introduced by the Countach by having upward opening doors. For more flash, opt for the transparent engine bonnet to show off that work of art, which we bet most buyers will.

The cabin is dominated by that high and wide centre tunnel, which has a red switch cover to enclose the start button. Switch aside, it looks very Audi. The instruments are presented on a TFT-LCD screen, while a second screen is dedicated to the standard-fit multimedia and navigation system. The cockpit looks quite technical for a Lamborghini.

Gallery after the jump.
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Singapore, which has a big appetite for exotic cars, now has its own special edition Lamborghini. Called the ‘Singapore Limited Edition’, only 10 examples of this Gallardo will be made exclusively for our neigbours.

Melvin Goh, MD of Lamborghini Singapore started discussions with Sant’Agata in July 2010 and it took around three months before the car, which also commemorates Lamborghini Singapore’s 10th anniversary this year, was finalised. The dealership pledged to donate S$20,000 from the sale of each limited edition unit to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF) for less fortunate students.

Available in two colours – white or black – one can tell the Singapore Limited Edition cars by red stripes on their profile. The island state’s most famous symbol, the Merlion, appears on the 5.2-litre V10 powered supercar as part of a special logo. There’s also an interior plaque. This bull has 550 hp and 540 Nm of torque, and is capable of doing the century sprint in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 320 km/h.

This is the new Lamborghini Gallardo Bicolore, which will come in two models – an LP 560-4 Bicolore for the European and Asia Pacific markets as well as an LP 550-2 for the American market. Interesting that they’re offering the four wheel drive version to the world while America gets the rear wheel drive edition?

Like its name implies, the special edition Gallardo Bicolore basically offers a two-tone finish with a matching interior – which is a roof finished in Noctis Black combined with a choice of 5 colors, one of them being the orange you see here.

The 5 colors are Giallo Midas, Arancio Borealis, Grigio Telesto, Bianco Monocerus and Blu Caelum. The interior also gets Noctis Black on the e-gear transmission bezel, while the leather stitching matches the exterior colour.

Look after the jump for a full gallery of the orange Bicolore.
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Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante, what a mouthful! Essentially, this LA show star is a lightweight, higher performance version of the Gallardo Spyder. Based on the LP 560-4 Spyder, Performante is the topless equivalent of the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera.

The “570″ in the name denotes the higher horsepower count, which is 10 stallions more than in the 560. This rise is attributed to a “new dedicated engine management strategy”. Lambo’s 5.2-litre direct injection V10 engine pushes the Performante from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds on to a top speed of 324 km/h. Drive goes to all wheels (30:70 ratio) via a six-speed e-gear transmission with shift paddles.

Carbonfibre parts are responsible for around 40% of the 65 kg saved over the standard Spyder. The large panel covering the soft top and engine, rear spoiler, sills, diffuser, parts of the underbody panel and wing mirror casings are crafted from CF.

Inside, Lambo used CF for the centre tunnel cover, door panels and the gear lever surround, but the biggest savings are from the shells of the sport seats. Alcantara is lighter than leather, and it’s used on the seats. The super light 19-inch wheels are identical to those on the Superleggera. With titanium bearings and bolts, they save 13 kg. The Performante still comes with air con and electric windows, though.

The result? 1,485 kg. Other changes include a reprofiled front bumper that optimises cooling and improves downforce on the front axle. Mods to the underbody, new sill elements and a redesigned diffuser also help to achieve better aerodynamics.

Gallery after the jump.
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