The Lamborghini Gallardo unveiled at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, marked a significant milestone for the brand, as it was the first production vehicle to feature a V10 engine. Since its launch, the Gallardo has become an unprecedented commercial success for Lamborghini, setting sales records and winning the hearts of supercar lovers.
The name Gallardo comes from one of the oldest and most famous breeds of fighting bulls in Spain, paying homage to the bullfighting tradition that has been an important part of Lamborghini's identity.
Hollow
for a smaller Lamborghini
The founder of the Italian brand, Ferruccio Lamborghini, had already perceived that there was a market for a 'smaller' Lamborghini that offered a more accessible price and lower running costs.
In the 1970s he spearheaded the development of the Urraco, which later evolved in the 1980s to become the Jalpa. These earlier models also reflected Lamborghini's vision of offering a more affordable supercar without compromising the brand's signature emotion and performance.
With the success of the Gallardo, Lamborghini demonstrated its ability to produce compelling and exciting supercars that could also be made more accessible to a broader segment of car enthusiasts. Since then, Lamborghini has continued to expand its model range and maintain its position as one of the world's leading manufacturers of supercars.
Now in its 20th anniversary, the Lamborghini Gallardo remains an icon in Lamborghini's history and a reminder of the passion and innovation that have driven the brand since its inception.
In 1987 Lamborghini began development of the L140 project, specifically to create a more compact Lamborghini. Over the years various prototypes were developed and various technical solutions explored, including initially a V8 engine and later a V10 engine.
Start
again from scratch
In 1998, after deep reflection, it was decided to start over from scratch, based solely on the concept, overall dimensions, and the idea of a ten-cylinder engine: something never before fitted to a Lamborghini road car.
The brand new engine was the result of the work of engineer Massimo Ceccarani, who, after more than ten years in the company, took over as Technical Director, and Maurizio Reggiani, then responsible for engine development and design in the Technical Office.
The engine installed in the first Lamborghini Gallardo was a V90 DOHC 5-liter 10-cylinder 4-valve, delivering 500 hp. Rather than the classic choice of a V72, a 90-degree angle was favored to limit engine height, thus gaining advantages in vehicle layout (i.e. lower bonnet and better rear visibility) and lowering the center of gravity to improve dynamics.
Regular firing intervals (ensuring engine smoothness) were achieved by adopting 'connecting rods' with an 18-degree offset. The dry sump lubrication system not only guarantees perfect lubrication even under extreme dynamic conditions but also allows the center of gravity to be lowered even further.
Lamborghini
Gallardo: technological prodigy
Thus, the first V10 was a state-of-the-art engine: 5 liters with dry sump lubrication, double overhead camshaft for each cylinder bank, with variable valve timing (4 valves per cylinder) and chain timing.
The 6-speed gearbox was equipped with state-of-the-art double and triple cone synchronizers with an optimized coupling and control system and was located behind the engine, while all-wheel drive used the proven VT system.
A robotic sequential system (the Lamborghini e-gear, offered as an optional extra on this version) was also developed, keeping the basic mechanics of the gearbox unchanged.
The
all-aluminum structural chassis was based on extruded parts welded to cast
connecting elements. On this chassis, the external parts of the body were
assembled with differentiated systems (rivets, screws, or welding), depending on
the function of the part. Other external hanging parts (such as the bumpers)
were made of thermoplastic material and were bolted together.
A robotic sequential system (the Lamborghini e-gear, offered as an optional extra on this version) was also developed, keeping the basic mechanics of the gearbox unchanged.
The all-aluminum structural chassis was based on extruded parts welded to cast connecting elements. On this chassis, the external parts of the body were assembled with differentiated systems (rivets, screws, or welding), depending on the function of the part. Other external hanging parts (such as the bumpers) were made of thermoplastic material and were bolted together.
Giugiaro
Design
The design project began in the year 2000 from an initial proposal by Italdesign-Giugiaro, later optimized and concluded by the newly created Lamborghini Centro Stile led by Luc Donckerwolke.
The Lamborghini Gallardo's dimensions and performance targets gave it a compact athleticism. The reduced wheelbase and overhangs of the vehicle gave it a more dynamic look. A key part of the iconic Gallardo design, which was also featured in the Murciélago introduced in 2001, was the strong aeronautical influence, seen in the forward cab integrated into the vehicle's body.
However, what really made the Lamborghini Gallardo stand out when it came on the market was its performance combined with driveability, reliability, and everyday practicality, to the point that it could be used comfortably as a vehicle for everyday use.
Lamborghini
Gallardo: donated to the Police
In May 2004, the Gallardos started the initiative to 'donate' cars to the Italian Police: the cars were used for special purposes, such as the transport of organs or life-saving medicines.
In 2005, two years after the launch of the coupé version, Lamborghini presented the Gallardo Spyder at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It also introduced important innovations in terms of engine, transmission, and performance. Its 4,961 cc 10-cylinder engine now delivered a power of 520 PS (382 kW) at 8,000 rpm.
In 2007, the year in which the production of the 'baby Lambo' exceeded 5,000 units since its introduction, the Gallardo Superleggera was presented in Geneva. The new model, thanks to the power increase of 10 CV and the weight reduction of 100 kg, was even more dynamic, reaching a weight/power ratio of only 2.5 kg/CV.
At the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008, the LP 560-4, the renewed version of the Gallardo, was presented; 20 kg lighter, equipped with a 5.2-liter V10 engine and 560 hp maximum power, with a stratified direct injection system.
A very
special limited series
In 2009, with 9,000 units produced, Lamborghini introduced the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni. Only 250 units were manufactured, with 550 CV and rear-wheel drive. In response to numerous customer requests, the Gallardo LP 550-2 was then produced as a production model (2010) and as a Spyder version (2011).
In March 2010, the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera was unveiled in Geneva; more dynamic, lighter, more powerful, and even more attractive. Introduced with the aim of continuing the success of the 2007 version of the same name, the weight of the LP 570-4 has been reduced by 70 kg compared to the previous Superleggera, with a 570 PS (419 kW) engine and a weight/power ratio reduced to 2.35 kg/PS.
In 2012, two versions of the updated model were presented at the Paris Motor Show. These variants were even more daring and extreme: the new Gallardo LP 560-4 and Gallardo LP 570-4 Edizione Tecnica, which represented yet another stylistic evolution of the first Lamborghini V10 model.
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