FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale

One looks askance when a car-maker such as Lamborghini describes one of its cars as "extreme."

With price tags starting at $400,000 and no mention anywhere of frugality, the Volkswagen-owned Italian car-maker has pretty much always occupied the upper stratosphere of road-going cars.

But the new Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale (try saying that with a mouthful of cannelloni) stretches the limits beyond anywhere the company has gone before. Thus its description of the car as "The most extreme Gallardo ever."

What's all the fuss?

Well, the new pride of the fleet has been trimmed down with generous use of carbon fibre to weigh just 1340kg – 70kg less than the "already lean" Gallardo LP 560-4, or about the weight of a regular small car – which means it has a power-weight ratio of 3.2kg per kilowatt.

The mid-mounted, 5.2-litre V10 engine develops 419kW at 8000rpm, and 540Nm of torque at 6500rpm. It drives through Lamborghini's "robotized e-gear" six-speed transmission operated via steering wheel paddles. A 'Thrust Mode' – or launch control – treads the delicate balance between traction and grip in flat-chat standing start acceleration.

Compared with many other supercars, the Lamborghini has a distinct traction advantage with its permanent all-wheel drive system.

100km/h from a standstill comes up in just 3.4 seconds, similar to the Ferrari 458 Italia, with 200km/h appearing seven seconds later. Top speed capability is a dizzying 320km/h.

At the back is the world's biggest spoiler. It is adjustable and is able to generate three times the down force available to the Gallardo LP 560-4. The composite engine cover, removable via a quick-release system, is taken straight from the track.

The Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale's brakes are up to the task: eight-piston aluminium calipers are used at the front, with four-piston callipers at the rear. The discs measure 365mm and 356mm respectively, front and rear. Carbon-ceramic discs are optional, as are race-specific items such as a tubular roll cage, four-point safety belts and a fire extinguisher.

There's a softer side to the LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale too. It can be ordered with satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, an anti-theft system and a "lifting system that raises the front axle."

Standard colour is a new bright red titled "Rosso Mars" and there are numerous styling and contrasting devices giving the Lambo a distinct, not-to-be-ignored presence.

The gargantuan rear spoiler is painted matt black, as are the engine cover and the front air intakes. The 19-inch wheels are painted in high-gloss black, while, for the first time in a Lamborghini, the brake calipers are accented in red.

If the buyer insists, it can be ordered in two other colours: "Grigio Telesto" or "Bianco Monocerus".

Only 150 LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradales are to be built. Not so strange is that there is no mention, anywhere, of the price.