1989 Replica / Kit Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2016 Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder First Drive

Convertibles get a bad rap when it comes to performance cars. Once, a lack of a roof meant extra performance. Now it means added weight and loss of structural rigidity. This stigma even applies to supercars, maybe more so. In the case of Lamborghini, the Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder is the "lifestyle" version. Which is silly, but doesn't diminish the appeal. Essentially, the Spyder is a Huracan with a fabric roof. Same 602-horsepower V10 inches behind the cabin, same hybrid aluminum-and-carbon-fiber construction, and same all-wheel-drive (though updated across the line for 2016). The performance compromise is a mere one mile per hour drop in top speed, and two-tenths of a second slower claimed 0-62 mph time of 3.4 seconds. (We suspect this is generously slow, to protect the egos of coupe owners). All told, the Spyder adds about 220 pounds in curb weight versus the coupe (Italian "dry" weight numbers are notoriously optimistic, so take the 3,650-pound Spyder claim with a grain of salt). The aerodynamic management on the Spyder is so good that the 201-mph top speed is valid with both the top up and retracted. In detail, the conversion in making the Huracan convertible is extensive. The roof itself is three layers of fabric, with a middle rubberized ply to cut down on interior noise. The design brief was to maintain the Huracan's hexagons-gone-wild theme with the top up and down. Spend 17 seconds waiting for the fully automatic top to lower, and the shape retains the coupe's motif. Part of the top's electronic ballet is a pair of flaps that extend out to preserve the shape of the B-pillar. Those flaps also feature narrow slits that smooth the wind along the side of the car, reducing turbulence near the driver's and passenger's ears. Additional side deflectors keep more wind away from your head. And with the top down the rear window's maximum height is restricted to prevent it from catching air. The aerodynamic management on the Spyder is so good that the 201-mph top speed is valid with both the top up and retracted. Suck on that, coupe aficionados. The Huracan's performance is so ridiculous that few can explore the margin between the two bodystyles. In any case, we didn't get much chance to stretch the Huracan's legs on our press drive in Miami, due a torrential downpour and the fact that South Florida is a terrible place for driving. Maybe that's where the "lifestyle" portion comes in, because Miami is a fantastic town for flaunting wealth.

Lambo to mark founder's birth with limited-run supercar in Geneva

Lamborghini has something special planned for the Geneva Motor Show in March. That much we knew already, but now new details have come to light. They look rather promising, if you're into the whole limited-edition supercar thing. Contrary to prior expectations, Sant'Agata's latest won't be a one-off concept like the Egoista or the Aventador J, but will be produced in a limited run of 20 examples. In that respect it looks poised to follow in the footsteps of the Veneno and Sesto Elemento. The model is tipped to be called the Centenario, and will be presented on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini's birth. The tractor mogul turned supercar-maker was born on April 28, 1916, and died on February 20, 1993, at the age of 76, leaving behind him quite a legacy – and a company that has changed hands more times than an aging baseball player. According to Auto Express, which spoke with Lambo CEO Stephan Winkelmann recently about the project, the Centanario (or whatever it's ultimately called) will wear much more subtle bodywork than extreme creations like the Veneno. That could appear more in line with the styling of the Asterion concept showcased last year in Paris. It may also feature some manner of hybrid powertrain, but will likely adopt the 6.5-liter V12 from the Aventador in some state of tune.

Lamborghini Gallardo production ends on No. 14,022

The Lamborghini Gallardo made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2003, after Volkswagen Group's Audi bought the Italian automaker. With a V10 engine, all-wheel drive and relatively high production numbers for a Lamborghini (about 2,000 per year), it easily became the the company's best-selling car. Ten years later, Gallardo production has ended to make room for a new super sportscar that has been seen testing and is widely referred to as the Cabrera (Lamborghini hasn't officially said what it will be called).
The last Gallardo to roll off the assembly line was a LP 570-4 Spyder Performante in Rosso Mars (Mars Red). It's No. 14,022 and will be going to a private collector. In the first four decades of Lamborghini's existence, before the Gallardo was released the year of the company's 40th anniversary, the automaker built an average of 250 cars per year. Do the math and you'll realize that almost half of the roughly 30,000 Lamborghinis built since 1963 are Gallardos.
The Gallardo was continually improved over the years, resulting in ever higher horsepower, direct-injected engines, rear-wheel-drive models and the open-top Spyder, such as the Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder we tested in 2012.