Stephan Winkelmann, the President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, introduced the locally based sportscar maker's range on Thursday at the Bologna Motor Show. In fact - with their factory just down the road in Sant'Agata - this couldn't be anymore of a 'home' show for the Audi-owned brand, who are located in Hall 16 along with the other VAG specialist marques: Bentley and SEAT.

The big news Winkelmann announced was that 55-year-old Walter Maria de'Silva, the 'Head of Design Audi Group', will additionally assume responsibility for Lamborghini design, replacing Luc Donkerwolke (who styled the Muricelago, Gallardo and Gallardo Spyder), the Belgian having recently switch within the Audi Group to take up the vacant position of design chief at the SEAT brand. "It's extraordinary that such a multiple-award winning Italian car designer will now personally pen the shapes of forthcoming Lamborghini models," said a clearly delighted Winkelmann, of de'Silva, who is a previous boss of Alfa Romeo design. "Participating in the construction of such extraordinary machines is a dream. Lamborghini is a dream," he added.

For their home Italian market, Automobili Lamborghini are showing three new models which were first unveiled at the Frankfurt IAA in September: the Gallardo Spyder takes centre stage, flanked by its sister model, the Gallardo SE and the larger V12-powered Murcielago, presented here in 'Model Year 2006' format. These were the cars that Winkelmann presented during yesterday's press conference. He went on to emphasis Lamborghini's Italian nature and celebrate the sales success that the brand is now achieving after the significant investment pumped in by Audi begins to pay off. In fact the Gallardo has now notched up 3,000 deliveries, making it the Raging Bull's most produced model ever.

With the Gallardo Spyder, Lamborghini aim to expand their already successful model range in a logical fashion. The newcomer is undoubtedly a Lamborghini, designed around raw speed, power and masculinity. As Lamborghini aim to improve their market share, their bold image in developing countries is certainly becoming noticeable against other Italian supercar manufacturers. Representing their second soft top alongside the Murcièlago Roadster, the Gallardo Spyder has an electro-hydraulic push-button operated soft top.
 

Despite being much less radical than the Murcièlago Roadster, the Gallardo Spyder builds on the beautiful lines of the coupé model, and has been very well received by the press. Unlike the 493 bhp Gallardo coupe, the Spyder is fitted with a 522 bhp version of the V10 engine. This engine is also fitted in the Gallardo SE, and will also be delivered with the Concept S.

The Lamborghini Gallardo SE (Special Edition) is being limited to just 250 units, and in Frankfurt Winkelmann confirmed that the entire production run had sold out prior to its unveiling. It is characterised by two-tone body paint, an even more sporty interior and many technical improvements. The basis for the Special Edition is the extreme and uncompromising Lamborghini Gallardo. The Lamborghini Gallardo SE is equipped with permanent four wheel drive, a six-speed speed gearbox, aluminum space frame, ESP and ASR, ABS, ABD, air conditioning, as well as two front and two side airbags. The color range consists of six alternatives: two grey shades, Grigio Altair and Grigio Proteus, as well as Balloon White (white), Giallo Midas (yellow), Arancio Borealis (orange) and Verde Ithaca (green). The roof, engine bonnet, front and rear spoiler as well as the two side mirrors are painted in Nero Noctis (black), making them stand out against the body color. The rear lights are slightly tinted. The newly designed “Callisto” rims give an extra touch to the overall appearance, which is complemented by the colored brake calipers (available in grey or yellow). The interior design reflects the two-tone concept by having all piping and stitching matching the exterior body color of the car. The Lamborghini shield is embossed on the headrest of the driver and passenger seats.