Designed to redefine its segment as the best high performance sports car and driving behaviour that fits its driver in every situation. The Gallardo is the synthesis of a true sports car that can be used on an every day basis. While matching these two apparently conflicting objectives, the guideline for Lamborghini engineers has been to fulfil the necessary comfort requirements without any compromise in the performances expected of a true Lamborghini car.

The choices for engine, transmission, space frame and body, suspensions, brakes and electronics are then all in line with such an objective. The result is a compact (length 4.3 m) 2-seater high performance car (maximum speed well over 300 km/h), that can be driven with pleasure both on race tracks and on long distance journeys on country and city roads.

The layout has been conceived to reach the high performance targets, on the basis of the sports-oriented concept for which Lamborghini is well known. 

The basic characteristics of such a layout are:

- mid-rear mounted engine, with the gearbox behind the engine 
- permanent four-wheel drive system 
- independent double wishbone suspension system 
- aluminium space frame 
- low centre gravity 
- weight distribution 42% front, 58% rear 
- two front mounted water radiators and one side mounted oil cooler 
- wheelbase 2.560 m, front track 1.622 m, rear track 1.592 m 
- total length 4.300 m, width 1.900 m, height 1.165 

Particular attention was paid to achieve the correct weight distribution, true to Lamborghini’s engineering tradition. In fact, the chosen weight distribution is the optimal for a sports car, with advantages for traction, braking and handling. 

The lowering of the centre of gravity has also been a fundamental guideline, which also lead to the engineering decisions for engine and transmission layout.