In 2009, Lamborghini unveiled a new hero for the supercar-loving hoon: the rear-wheel-drive Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni Edition, named in honour of the company’s test driver.
A year later, the ‘regular’ LP550-2 appeared on the scene, arriving as the ‘entry-level’ option in the Gallardo range. Now, that same rear-wheel-drive layout has been gifted to the Gallardo Spyder.
Unveiled at this week’s LA Auto Show, the Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder features the same 405 kW 5.2-litre V10 engine that motivates the hardtop version, matched to six-speed manual and e-gear automatic transmissions.
As with the Coupe, the LP550-2 Spyder gains rear-wheel-drive specific damper modifications and aerodynamics. Weighing in at 1 520 kg, the Spyder is a smidge slower than the 1 380 kg hardtop. It’s not a huge difference: 4.2 seconds versus 3.9 seconds.
“With the Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder, we are expanding the Lamborghini lineup with a purist model that adds yet another dimension of driving fun,” Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann said. “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.”
Watch this space for news of a South African debut.
