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The Gallardo is Lamborghini’s two-seat mid-engine V10-powered sports car that joined the Lamborghini line as a 2004 model and in just two years became the top-selling Lamborghini model of all time. Gallardo production topped 3000 in November 2005, surpassing the Lamborghini Diablo as the most produced Lamborghini model of which a total of 2903 were produced over a ten year period. By 2008 more than 7000 Gallardos have left the Sant’Agata Bolognese production plant since the model was launched in 2003

More Power, More Torque, More FunWhat's under the window sure isn't the same thing as before. The Gallardo's naturally aspirated V-10 has been bored to 5.2 liters (up from 5.0) and fitted with a direct-injection system, enabling a high, nosebleed-inducing compression ratio of 12.5:1, resulting in a significant spike in output to 552 horsepower at 8000 rpm (from 512) and 398 pound-feet of torque (from 376). Lamborghini stresses that this is not the same V-10 found in certain Audi models (such as the RS6 wagon), stating that it has a unique block and heads, as well as its own direct-injection system co-developed with Bosch.

The first twist of the key (Lamborghini hasn't yet embraced the starter-button thing) floods the cabin with an engine note that is sharp and clear. And unlike the Audi R8, with which the LP560-4 shares a few structural bits but no powertrain components, the Lambo is loud. Deliciously loud. As loud as legally possible. And thus, perfect.

Pull back on the e-gear's right shift "paddle" (it actually looks more like a hook fixed to the steering column), and after a split second of clutch uptake, the LP560-4 starts forward. The Gallardo has never been unruly, and it's still not. But there is some serious — serious — power behind that right pedal, and the farther one dips into it, the more it returns controlled and thrilling acceleration. Within only a few feet, we know one thing for sure: This is a fast car.
Prepare for TakeoffFor 2009, Lamborghini continues to offer a launch mode (Lambo calls it "thrust" mode) that optimally matches throttle and clutch characteristics for max acceleration. Here, it's easy: (1) Engage first gear, (2) select the Corsa mode for the transmission, (3) disengage the traction control with a dash toggle, (4) mash the throttle and brakes until the tach reads about five grand, and (5) release the brake pedal.
Nothing happens for a nanosecond as the gear engages, but then the coupe rockets forward as if a truckload of TNT had exploded 10 feet from the rear bumper. Fun? Well, sort of. In spite of what is undoubtedly our best acceleration stunt, it sounds like it hurts the car. So we only do it once — okay, twice — fearing that we might spend the balance of our time with the Lambo in limp-home mode. Street starts, however, are a different story. After slowly rolling into an intersection in Vegas, we just hammer it; we break all four wheels loose for a second in a straight line — and then simply catapult forward, squealing and grinning like schoolboys who have just stolen the keys to Dad's, well, Lamborghini. This doesn't seem to hurt the car. But we know we are going straight to hell anyway.

For what it's worth, Lamborghini claims the LP560-4 is capable of charging from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, which is quick. But we've driven many 3.7-second cars, and the LP560-4 feels a lot quicker. The last Gallardo Superleggera we tested weighed less than the LP560-4 and could hit 60 in 3.5 seconds. And that was with 40 fewer horsepower and 22 fewer pound-feet of torque. We can't wait to strap our test equipment to the LP560-4 and see just how far off Lambo's claims are. Ditto the quoted 202-mph top speed, which is up from 196.