Gallardo gets ripped and stripped

Lamborghini's Gallardo isn't a car exactly crying out for a performance upgrade, but the Sant'Agata (Italy) based marque has done exactly that with its V10-powered sportster.

The raging bull is set to unveil the Gallardo Superleggera (meaning Super-light) at the Geneva motor show tomorrow, and the low-volume model boasts an appreciable performance boost over the 'cooking' model.

For starters, the Superleggera loses the equivalent of two fat blokes in the kerb weight department while gaining an extra 7kW. This adds up to a claimed 0-100km/h dash in 3.8sec -- 0.4sec quicker than the standard car, according to Lamborghini.

Peak power of 389kW arrives at a dizzying 8000rpm, yet maximum torque of 510Nm is on tap earlier in the piece -- at 4250rpm, instead of 4500rpm for the stocker. The added grunt is relayed to the tarmac via Pirelli P-Zero Corsa rubber, which is wrapped around new-design 19-inch alloys.

The substantial reduction in girth -- kerb weight is down from 1520 to 1330kg -- was reaped via the extensive usage of carbon-fibre and magnesium, in lieu of steel.

It's a 'stripper' in the true sense, as the Superleggera makes do without electrically adjustable seats, satnav/stereo system, doorskins and armrests -- but at least it still has air-conditioning. What's more, the inner door panels are made of carbon-fibre, as are the door mirrors, the bonnet cover and the extended side sills.

Visually, the lightened version is easily distinguishable from the base-model Gallardo, thanks to a massive wing and prominent rear diffuser… Not to mention the 'Superleggera' decals on the flanks.

And if you think this car's metallic grey bodywork is a little too understated for your tastes, you can always have it in black, orange or yellow.

Inside, there are lightweight racing seats, four-point harnesses, a fire extinguisher and a metal cross brace behind the seats.

It's believed around 350 Superleggeras will be built over the next couple of years, taking the fight to the Ferrari's F430 imminent Challenge Stradale, due next year.

Euro sources suggest the Superleggera will command a 20 per cent premium over the standard Gallardo, which indicates a starting price around $480K.

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