Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder unveiled at LA Auto Show

By Ben Pulman

Motor Shows

19 November 2008 23:00

This is the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder, unveiled today in Los Angeles as part of the company’s promise to reveal one new model at every major motor show. Suddenly that Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M has a homegrown rival, and we're left wondering if the Scud is really so tempting after all…

Spot on. And that means it mixes a mouth-watering prospect of a 5.2-litre V10, four-wheel drive and one of the best exhaust notes around – now aided by the removal of the roof.

That 5.2-litre V10 was new to the hard-top LP560-4 – driven by CAR in May 2008 – and now finds work in the Spyder. It produces 552bhp (560 if you measure in PS, hence the name) at 8000rpm and 398lb ft at 6500rpm.

Yet despite the bigger capacity (up from 5.0 litres in the old Gallardo) comprehensive re-engineering, and the fitment of direct injection, means fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are claimed to dip by 18 percent. Apparently that means 20.2mpg if you spec the automated e-gear transmission.

By Ben Pulman