CarBrandLogos archive · Lamborghini · 2003

LamborghiniGallardo

The smaller, cheaper V10 that sold more than every previous Lamborghini combined.

The story

A defining chapter in Lamborghini history.

Explore the ideas, engineering and context that shaped the Lamborghini Gallardo, then continue into its specifications and place in the marque's lineage.

Auto patrulla Lamborghini de la Policía Nacional de Panamá

Origins

Lamborghini had tried a second, smaller model before. The Urraco, Silhouette and Jalpa of the 1970s and 80s were all under-developed and under-funded, and none of them sold in useful numbers. The Gallardo, launched in 2003 with Audi's engineering resources behind it, finally made the idea work.

Auto patrulla Lamborghini de la Policía Nacional de Panamá · AnelGTR · CC BY-SA 3.0

2010-2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 coupe 01

Design and engineering

It was built around an aluminium spaceframe using Audi's space frame expertise, with a 5.0-litre V10 mounted longitudinally behind the cabin and all-wheel drive as standard. The V10 was new, developed within the group, and gave the car an engine note distinct from both the V12 above it and the V8s of its competitors. Fabrizio Giugiaro at Italdesign produced the initial design and Luc Donckerwolke finalised it, arriving at a compact wedge that looked like a Lamborghini without imitating the Murcielago.

2010-2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 coupe 01 · OSX · Public domain

2006 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder E-Gear - Flickr - The Car Spy

In production

Critically, it was usable. Reviewers who had spent decades noting that Lamborghinis were exciting but difficult found a car with decent visibility, a workable driving position, Audi switchgear and the reliability to be driven regularly. That is what turned it into a genuine rival to the Ferrari F430 rather than an alternative to it.

2006 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder E-Gear - Flickr - The Car Spy · The Car Spy · CC BY 2.0

Legacy

A facelift in 2008 brought a 5.2-litre engine, direct injection and the LP 560-4 designation, alongside a growing list of variants including the rear-driven Balboni and LP 550-2, the lightweight Superleggera, the Spyder and several limited editions. More than 14,000 were built by the time production ended in 2013, comfortably more than every Lamborghini made before it put together. The Huracan continued the line.

At a glance

The facts that define it.

Produced

2003–2013

Engine

5.0&nbsp

Body

2-door coupé

Technical specification

The Gallardo, in detail.

Production: 2003–2013
Class: Sports car (S)
Body style: 2-door coupé; 2-door convertible (Spyder)
Layout: Longitudinal engine; Longitudinal, Mid-engine, four-wheel-drive layout; mid-engine, all-wheel-drive (Gallardo 5.0, LP 560-4 & LP 570-4) ; Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout; Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive (LP 55
Engine: 5.0 L Lamborghini V10; Lamborghini even firing V10 engine; V10 (pre-facelift) ; 5.2 L Lamborghini CEH odd firing V10 (facelift)
Transmission: 6-speed Graziano manual; 6-speed e-gear Graziano automated manual
Designer: Fabrizio Giugiaro at Italdesign (initial design) ; Luc Donckerwolke (final design) ; Walter de Silva (facelift)
Assembly: Italy: Sant'Agata Bolognese
Manufacturer: Lamborghini