This is Lamborghini's evil-looking new racecar
Tue, 29 Jan 2013
Reiter Engineering has been building racing Lamborghinis since 2000, but this will be the first time it has worked in cooperation with the automaker to create a car.Other than the obvious aero changes such as the front splitter, rear diffuser and massive rear wing, the 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 FL2 also received some weight reduction, better brakes and engine cooling and, surprisingly, improved fuel consumption. The car dropped about 55 pounds compared to a standard Gallardo, and since it was designed to compete in endurance races, it was given "24-hour" brakes, although we don't actually know what changes were made.
Deliveries of the Gallardo GT3 FL2 will begin in March with a starting price of 320,000 euros, or around $430,000. Scroll down for more details about Lambo's newest racer.
Lamborghini announces commitment to GT3 program with Reiter Engineering, with new GT3 car for 2013 and 2014
Sant'Agata Bolognese, 28 January 2013. Automobili Lamborghini has announced a new GT3 motorsport program. The long-term agreement will commence with a new car for the 2013 and 2014 seasons: the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 FL2, developed by Reiter Engineering in cooperation with Lamborghini's R&D motorsport department.
Based on the new Gallardo MY13, a focus of the new GT3 FL2's development is on long-distance performance and includes '24-hour' brakes, improved engine cooling and reduced fuel consumption. The car features a highly efficient aero kit, a new front splitter, a rear carbon diffuser based on that developed for the Super Trofeo and an overall improved power to weight performance, with the GT3 FL2's weight reduced by 25kg over the previous Gallardo GT3.
The Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 FL2 by Reiter has already proven exceptionally low running costs, setting a benchmark with only € 9/km to €12/km parts rebuild costs.
The GT3 FL2 is priced at € 320,000 euro plus taxes.
Although German-based Reiter Engineering has successfully developed its own Lamborghini GT cars since 2000, securing 199 victories and 350 podium positions within GT championships since 2007, this is the first time a GT3 contender will be co-developed in direct collaboration with Lamborghini.
"We are delighted to announce a minimum five-year agreement with Reiter Engineering as our exclusive development and supply partner for Lamborghini GT3 cars, based on Reiter's strong engineering skills, passion for and understanding of the Lamborghini brand and, of course, obvious racing success," said Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. "We are committed to supporting racing in Europe and Asia in 2013 with expansion into the USA in 2014: GT3 racing, together with our highly successful mono marque Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series in Europe, Asia and this year the USA, are a clear fit with the Lamborghini brand, where we take the prowess of our super sports cars from the road to the track."
First confirmed deliveries of the new Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 FL2 to teams in Europe and Asia will commence in March 2013, participating in series including the Blancpain Endurance Series, the Asia Le Mans Series and the Italian GT3 Championship.
An expanded in-house motorsport team within Lamborghini's R&D department will oversee the GT3 race programme, under the guise of Lamborghini Squadra Corse: a department dedicated to motorsport including GT3, the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series, and a customer driving
program.
From 2013, the Squadra Corse will provide an integrated approach to Lamborghini driving experiences. A new series of 'Esperienza' events provide enthusiasts and prospects with opportunity for a first test-drive and to experience the world of Lamborghini. The Lamborghini Academies, on both track and ice, provide driver training and the initial steps towards racing. The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series provides the perfect first race experience for young and gentleman drivers, with the Lamborghini GT3 for more experienced racers wanting to compete with the Lamborghini marque worldwide.
Further information on the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 FL2 is available from: Dane Fisher, Lamborghini Squadra Corse, dane.fisher@lamborghini.com Hubert Thanbichler, Reiter Engineering, hubert.thanbichler@reiterengineering.com
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
Founded in 1963, Automobili Lamborghini is headquartered in Sant'Agata Bolognese, in Northeastern Italy, where it manufactures some of the world's most coveted super sports cars. With the introduction of the Aventador LP 700-4 in 2011 and the debut of the Urus concept SUV at the Beijing International Automobile Exhibition in 2012, Lamborghini has established yet another landmark in the history of luxury super sports cars. And with more than 120 dealerships worldwide, Automobili Lamborghini has successfully created an uninterrupted series of extreme, exclusive super sports cars that include the 350 GT, Miura, Espada, Countach, Diablo, Murciélago, Reventón Coupé, Reventón Roadster, Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupé and Spyder, and the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera and the open-top LP 570-4 Spyder Performante.
By Jeffrey N. Ross
See also: Maserati and Lamborghini pull out of Iran, Volkswagen breaks 40-year-old sales record in 2012, Watch an Aventador, Viper and LFA play the songs of their people.