Two years after the launch of the Coupé version of the Gallardo, Automobili Lamborghini introduced the new Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder at the Frankfurt Motor Show on 12th September.

The Gallardo Spyder is not just an open-top version of the Coupé, but is a completely new model.  It has an attractive new design and a unique system for opening and closing the fabric roof that utilises the engine compartment to store the folded roof. The Lamborghini Centro Stile and engineers from the Research and Development team have worked in close partnership to develop this new design and to bring these clean and sharp lines on the road.

Design

The original design vision for the Gallardo was created in the year 2000 and this vision continues with the 'open' version. The dimensions of the Gallardo, combined with its competitive performance targets, ensure the car has an athletic compactness. The long wheelbase complemented by short overhangs dynamise its appearance. The Gallardo Spyder features typical and unique mono-volume proportions, which integrate the Lamborghini design attributes of purism, athleticism and sharpness. The cab-forward cockpit is integrated in the body by a strongly-slanted front screen and tensed pillars.  The complex surfacing is intersected by crisp graphics and its detailing, which is orientated towards optimum cooling, evokes a strong aeronautical influence in its proportions and formal language.

Roof

The roof raising/lowering system of the Gallardo Spyder is based on an electronic control system with electrohydraulic actuators and comprises the following elements: hood made from black fabric; electronic control system, integrated in the car’s CAN-BUS network, that controls the movement of the roof; electric pump; engine bonnet (that also functions as a hood cover) made from carbon fibre; six hydraulic cylinders (four to operate the hood and two to operate the bonnet); two electric actuators (one to lock the catch at the front of the roof and one to release the bonnet catch); electric motor to raise and lower the rear window.

The roof raising/lowering mechanism is extremely simple to operate by way of two push-buttons on the centre of the dashboard. And the whole operation takes just over 20 seconds. The rear screen moves automatically while the roof is being opened or closed. This automatically-controlled movement always returns the screen to the raised position. The driver can also choose to have the screen in the lowered position (also with the roof raised) by pressing the appropriate button on the dashboard. There is also a 'service function' that positions the roof so as to allow access to the engine.

Great care has been taken over the structural design of the new Gallardo Spyder, which of course complies fully with all the relevant safety standards. The space frame has been reinforced in the area of the sills and the A pillars have been strengthened with the adoption of an automatic Roll Over protection system (comprising two “pop-ups") integrated with the air bag system.
 

All these solutions, which place Lamborghini at the very forefront of open top car design, were driven by the need to present to the public a true spyder characterised by a pure design.

Engine and Performance

The new Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder features a number of important modifications to the original engine and transmission from the Coupé. The 10-cylinder 4961 cc propulsion unit now develops 520 hp (382 kW) at 8,000 rpm. The six-speed gearbox now has lower ratios (1st gear is 27% lower, 2nd gear is 13%, 3rd, 4th and 5th gears are all 6% lower, while 6th gear is 3.5% lower), which create a more dynamic performance. The steering is also more direct and precise and the suspension has been recalibrated. Like the other models in the range, the Gallardo Spyder also benefits from aluminium bodywork and features permanent four-wheel drive. And finally, its performance figures: the Gallardo Spyder - which complies with EURO 4 homologation standards - reaches a top speed of 314 km/h with the roof up and 307 km/h with the roof down, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds.

Equipment

Amongst its standard equipment the following items are particularly worthy of mention: power steering fluid cooler (for sports use); automatic door locking at speeds of over 15 km/h; and Lamborghini Multimedia System as standard (not available for Japan).

There are also new body colours available.  In addition to those current range of Gallardo colours, the new Gallardo Spyder is also available in the two special colours: Celeste Phoebe (light blue) and Verde Picus (green). There are also new colours also for the leather interiors: Marrone Janus (brown) as the main colour, Bianco Polar (white) as a contrast colour, and carpets in Marrone Janus (brown), Rosso Centaurus (red) or Arancio Leonis (orange).

There is also a range of optional equipment that makes the Gallardo Spyder even more exclusive, including: video camera on the rear spoiler (available also on the Coupé version); new colour/perforated leather combinations for the dashboard, seats and door trim; and .contrast colour stitching. Other optional equipment includes: a choice of colour and leather and/or Alcantara combinations; anti-theft system, heated mirrors, onboard computer, protective cover, “coming home” function, e-gear, set of two suitcases, lifting system, navigation system, coloured Lamborghini logo on wheel rims, rear spoiler, smokers’ version; various packages to customise the car: leather package, carbon fibre package, branding package, winter package, travel set and sports set-up; silver Callisto wheels; heated electric seats; and coloured brake calipers.