Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, An Extra 40 Bhp From Enlarged DI Engine

Lamborghini keeps improving the stunning Gallardo supercar, without changing the basic style, but now comes the most powerful version yet: the Lamborghini GallardoLP560-4, which is more powerful than the lightweight Superleggera.

The key to the performance is the adoption of the new 5.2 liter V-10 engine used already to generate 572 bhp in twin-turbo form to propel Audi's heavy RS 6 quattro Avant. The lightweight Gallardo does not need twin turbos to make it very exciting to drive, and the progressive roar of that V-10 as it races to 8,000 rpm – 8,500 rpm if you must – is much more in keeping with a supercar.

Longitudinale Posteriore and 560 PS (552 bhp)

Nor is the GallardoLP560-4 just about power. Well, to start with it is about a name: LP stands for Longitudinale Posteriore, or rear-mounted in-line, meaning that this is the classic supercar mid-engined layout. The power output is indicated by the 560 (PS), and the -4 indicates four-wheel drive. In other words, the new name spells out what the car is.

Minor changes at the design style

Although looking just like any Gallardo, close inspection shows that the frontal air intakes are larger and brought forward slightly, while there is a spoiler between them. To make the car look different, without disturbing that stunning and elegant shape, there are daytime running lamps below the headlamps, which are shaped in a 'Y', a shape also found in the new rear lamps.

As the car whistles past, you will not just note the red Ys, but also a rather different looking rear end, with a more pronounced diffuser, which is said to operate 31 per cent more efficiently than the previous one.

Also revised is the interior, which can be trimmed in leather or Alcantara, the seats offering superb lateral support as before There is a new graphic display to give the driver information about the engine.

Stunning direct injection engine

All the fire and fury of the new V-10 engine comes from the slightly larger capacity of 5.2 liters and the adoption of direct injection, pioneered in Europe by the VW Group, of which Lamborghini is a part. Developed from the 5. 0 liter unit, direct injection increases power output while improving fuel consumption – in this case by a whopping 18 per cent on the European test cycle.

DI engines are more efficient because the fuel can be injected precisely where required in the cylinder, instead of relying on the air flow to get it there. The biggest gain comes at part-load, when a tumble valve in the air intake keeps the air flowing rapidly; the valve is out of the way at higher loads.

Improved efficiency also comes from the high compression ratio of 12.5:1, which is 1.0-1.5 ratios higher than is normal on high performance port injection engines, and the use of variable inlet and exhaust valve timing.

This is an ultra-modern lightweight engine, with the cylinders bored directly into the high-silicon block. It also has dry sump lubrication.

40 bhp more than previous Gallardo

This masterpiece produces 552 bhp at 8,000 rpm, with maximum torque of 398 lb ft (540 Nm)at 6,500 rpm, which is about 40 bhp more than the Gallardo, and 20 bhp more than the Superleggera.

The engine is coupled either to a manual six-speed box or an improved version of the E-gear, which provides shifts 40 per cent faster than before in Corsa mode, which is the sportiest. You can also use plain Sport, and Lamborghini calls its automated optimized start 'Thrust' because it will thrust your forward to 100 mph and more just as fast as is possible for the supercar to go!

Four-wheel drive, biased to the rear

Of course, there is a four-wheel drive system, set up to send 30 per cent of the torque to the front weights normally, and 70 per cent to the rear front to rear. To keep the power getting to the road, a 45 per cent rear limited slip differential is fitted, and an electronic differential lock at the front.

This gives the handling pretty neutral handling, but with power over steer available. The weight distribution is about ideal at 43 per cent on the front, and 57 per cent on the rear.

This excellent power train is installed in the well-tried aluminum frame consisting of extrusions and castings, and which carries the latest version of the Lamborghini double wishbone suspension.

At the rear there is now an extra link each side to control toe-in angle, which works in conjunction with the wishbones.

Large tires on 19-inch wheels provide plenty of grip, the front tires being 235/35 ZR 19, and the rear ones 295/30 ZR 19. Brakes are also plenty big enough to stop the beast, with 14.37 inch front and 14. 0 inch diameter discs as standard, unusually, with 8-pot front and 4-pot rear calipers.

There is an option of carbon-ceramic discs; in this case, there are more normal six-pot and four-pot calipers, operating on 15-inch front and 14-inch rear discs.

What about the weight? Well, Lamborghini says that the Lamborghini GallardoLP560-4 is 44 lb (20 kg) lighter than the previous Gallardo, but still quite a bit heavier than the Superleggera, which lives up to its name.

Still, a bigger engine and less weight is progress, especially when fuel consumption is improved as well. It all adds up to a great supercar.