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Lamborghini unveils the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni

07/01/2009, 11:43 AM

By Drew Johnson

Following an earlier image leak, Lamborghini has officially unveiled the Gallardo LP550-2. Technically dubbed the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni, the latest super car from Sant’Agata Bolognese is intended to commemorate Valentino Balboni, a 42 year veteran of the Italian automaker.


Since 1973, Balboni has tested nearly every Lamborghini that has rolled off the factory floor. Balboni used that driving expertise to help create the LP550-2, which promises buyers a “special kind of active driving fun”.

Based on the Gallardo LP560-4, the LP550-2 receives a slightly de-tuned version of Lamborghini’s 5.2L V10, producing 550 horsepower. The LP-550-2 also nixes the LP560-4’s all-wheel drive system and e-Gear transmission — although e-Gear is optional — resulting in a 66 pound weight saving.

According to Lamborghini, the LP550-2 can make the sprint from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 199 mph.

Production will be capped at 250 units. Prices for the the LP550-2 will start at $219,800.

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07/01, 11:53 AM

posted by:

Dante_JoseCuervo

Hmmm, while I do appreciate them paying homage to their test driver, but do they have to make such a big deal out of a RWD car? Maybe it’s just me though. Love lambos though, beautiful cars.

07/01, 12:08 PM

posted by:

Krayzie Joe

Is there such thing as an ugly Lambo?

07/01, 12:15 PM

posted by:

zfenderguy

Hope Balboni gets a free one for his garage. Talk about one of the luckiest people in the world to do that for a job.

07/01, 12:17 PM

posted by:

Need more oil for GM

Vette wannabe

07/01, 12:18 PM

posted by:

Need more oil for GM

ZR-1 will kill this POS.

GM. An American Revolution

07/01, 12:32 PM

posted by:

Krayzie Joe

I cant believe people would even compare a Vette to a Lambo. The Vette is a fast car. The Lambo is a fast work of art…

07/01, 12:44 PM

posted by:

Veda

Stripped down faster version of the Gallardo? I thought that’s the R8’s job… a Lambo is to be admired not abused on the race track or street drag races.

07/01, 12:50 PM

posted by:

spadedjuggla

veda your an idiot. then you go spend 200,000+ on a car just to drive it around all slow when its a SPORTS CAR. plus lambos aren’t all that great and yeah you can compare a REAL sports car to a wannabe. ZR-1 will destroy it

07/01, 1:06 PM

posted by:

e46Ne90

how many more iterations can vw come up with in lambo, bentley, bugatti? lets take fwd-based all wheel drive vw platforms, modify it and make it into audis, bentleys, lambos, bugattis. when will there ever be a proper rear wheel drive based all wheel drive platform from audi, lambo, bentley, and bugatti? because charging 200k + on all these fwd based vehicles are getting retarded

07/01, 1:07 PM

posted by:

Stix

So they’ve officially stopped selling the Murcielago, but they’re still going on with the Gallardo? What will they release next?

It definitely doesn’t look ugly, but it doesn’t really stand out much. Go figure.

07/01, 1:44 PM

posted by:

Rafa LL

Never seen so many idiot comments in a single round, but, as NMOFGM commented twice, I guess Sh¡t attracts sh¡t.

NMOFGM: You’re awesome because you make idiotic comments to see how we laugh, purposeful.

Veda: R8’s job? Are you kidding right?

spadedjuggla: ZR-1 is no match for this, it’s completely different, ZR-1 is just a ‘ring racer, this can be whatever you want it to be.

If you’re not mentioned here, I agree with you.

07/01, 1:46 PM

posted by:

zeegone

First off, freaking SWEET.

This is going to be very interesting, the Murcielago is a much more expensive car but I have seen vids on GTBoard.com where it actually get’s outran by a Gallardo LP-560 which keeps turning out to impress me more and more with its speed and dynamics. This thing will also outhandle the Murci no problem. With less weight and no e-gear there’s no telling how hard it will pull the LP640 now.

A ZR1 is a very sweet car but I would easily take the Lambo over it. Chevy needs to first upgrade the interior…………heavily. Vettes are cool and all but Lamborghinis are infinitely cooler, always. The sounds they produce are worth the price of admission alone.

07/01, 1:50 PM

posted by:

Stix

I wanna see how the Valentino Balboni performs against the Murcielago LP670 Super Veloce.

Go watch the new season of Top Gear, that new (and sadly last) Murcielago sounds pretty effing sweet.

07/01, 2:46 PM

posted by:

KarLoveBoy88

Its a rear drive Lambo. This thing is going to own the ZR-1 and kick its ass while eating its lunch. Cant wait to see how this thing fairs out.

07/01, 3:12 PM

posted by:

Sgt Pepper

EVERYBODY wants top bash the ZR1 BUT if you had to pick a car that you could drive and not have to worry about calling a tow truck ID say its Corvette. The Lambo is a rich prick toy. “who cares what maintenance cost” Is a dumb way to -OH wait you dont have to be smart to be rich.

07/01, 3:29 PM

posted by:

leftwingagenda

the lamborghini supertwinkie, coming to an exclusive hostess dealership near you…that said, i kinda like the look…

07/01, 5:05 PM

posted by:

Dante_JoseCuervo

NMOFGM

-you always give me a good laugh.

A lambo isn’t really competing with the ZR1. The ZR1 is a good car, there’s no doubt about that. But when I can walk up to one without worrying about touching the squishy cheap plastic rear end (which is a plus for anyone you back into :) ) then I don’t care. The C6 with the performance package is a beast of a car. The ZR1 was really only competing with porsche and the GT-R. Anything else is just there to be an exotic car.

07/01, 5:16 PM

posted by:

F50

The Corvette ZR1 does outperform the Lamborghini almost in pretty much every way. but the Lamborghini is high class, and is more of a showoff car. while the ZR1 is a performance car.

07/01, 5:41 PM

posted by:

zeegone

Rolex vs Timex. Both do the same, one costs substantially more and will always impress substantially more. It’s just a matter of what you got in the bank and what your tastes are. Lamborghinis are also made ten times better then used to be so it be hard to argue it wouldn’t hold up better either then the bad-ass vette.

F50, I do agree with you but I think the Lambo is both kinds of cars. It’s certainly not a non-performance car by any means and the ZR1 victories would be marginal anyway.

07/01, 9:51 PM

posted by:

Pazzo Canguri

Balboni is an icon in italy and a great driver but no offence to him i will still prefer my beast to be all wheel drive. But i would LOVE IT in this colour scheme..looks insane..
But alas dream on he says, $219,000 US = roughly $680,000 + Australian dollars…..so noooo chance baby….well until i win the lotto, if god likes me… :)

 
 
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