Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni (2009)

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 01 July 2009 10:00 Lamborghini has unveiled the limited edition Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni, a new entry-level model, and its first rear-wheel drive supercar since the Diablo. The Italian supercar company has long promised that all its cars will resolutely remain four-wheel drive, but it’s building the two-wheel drive LP550-2 (hence the name) to celebrate its legendary test driver Valentino Balboni. Just 250 will be built.

2015 Honda Civic Type R previewed ahead of Geneva

The 2015 Honda Civic Type R Concept (pictured) previewed ahead of a Geneva debut The next Honda Civic Type R isn’t due to arrive until 2015, but Honda are taking a Type R Concept to the Geneva Motor Show next month and are previewing that with a design sketch of the new Type R (above). The Type R at Geneva will be a concept – and as such subject to some slightly OTT elements – but if the production Type R is anywhere near as dramatic as this concept it will look more like a track car set loose on the streets than a road car. A comically big back wing blends in to the Type R’s rear lights, the Type R’s wide track is incorporated with huge wheelarches, there’s a big diffuser in the back bumper and two sets of twin exhaust tail pipes.

U.S. safety officials deny airbag exemption for the Pagani Huayra

U.S. safety officials have shot down Italian supercar maker Pagani's request that the Huayra coupe be exempted from needing advanced airbags--a move that means Pagani can't legally sell the car in the States. Safety rules require that all new cars sold in the United States be equipped with airbags that can automatically adjust deployment force based on the height and weight of the seat occupant.