Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder: First Look

Motoring Channel Staff - 15/9/2005

Two years after the launch of the Coupé version of the Gallardo, Automobili Lamborghini presented the new Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Gallardo Spyder is not just an open-top version of the Coupé, but is a completely new model. It has an attractive new design and a unique system for opening and closing the fabric roof that utilises the engine compartment to store the folded roof.

The Lamborghini Centro Stile and engineers from the Research and Development team have worked in close partnership to develop this new design and to bring these clean and sharp lines on the road.

The original design vision for the Gallardo was created in the year 2000 and this vision continues with the "open" version.

The dimensions of the Gallardo, combined with its competitive performance targets, ensure the car has an athletic compactness. The long wheelbase complemented by short overhangs dynamise its appearance. The Gallardo Spyder features typical and unique mono-volume proportions, which integrate the Lamborghini design attributes of purism, athleticism and sharpness.

The cab-forward cockpit is integrated in the body by a strongly-slanted front screen and tensed pillars. The complex surfacing is intersected by crisp graphics and its detailing, which is orientated towards optimum cooling, evokes a strong aeronautical influence in its proportions and formal language.

Roof: The roof raising/lowering system of the Gallardo Spyder is based on an electronic control system with electrohydraulic actuators and comprises the following elements:

hood made from black fabric
electronic control system, integrated in the car's CAN-BUS network, controlling the movement of the roof
electric pump
engine bonnet (that also functions as a hood cover) made from carbon fibre
six hydraulic cylinders (four to operate the hood and two to operate the bonnet)
two electric actuators (one to lock the catch at the front of the roof and one to release the bonnet catch)
electric motor to raise and lower the rear window

The roof raising/lowering mechanism is extremely simple to operate by way of two push-buttons on the centre of the dashboard. And the whole operation takes just over 20 seconds.

The rear screen moves automatically while the roof is being opened or closed. This automatically-controlled movement always returns the screen to the raised position. The driver can also choose to have the screen in the lowered position (also with the roof raised) by pressing the appropriate button on the dashboard. There is also a "service function" that positions the roof so as to allow access to the engine.

Great care has been taken over the structural design of the new Gallardo Spyder, which of course complies fully with all the relevant safety standards. The space frame has been reinforced in the area of the sills and the A pillars have been strengthened with the adoption of an automatic Roll Over protection system (comprising two "pop-ups") integrated with the air bag system.

The new Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder features a number of important modifications to the original engine and transmission from the Coupé. The 10-cylinder 4961cc (5.0-litre) propulsion unit now develops 382kW (520hp) @ 8000rpm.

The 6-speed gearbox now has lower ratios (1st gear is 27% lower, 2nd gear is 13%, 3rd / 4th / 5th gears are all 6% lower, while 6th gear is 3.5% lower), which create a more dynamic performance. The steering is also more direct and precise and the suspension has been recalibrated. The upgrades in performance are believed to be in response to Ferrari's V8-powered F430 Spider.

Like the other models in the range, the Gallardo Spyder also benefits from aluminium bodywork and features permanent four-wheel drive.

And finally, its performance figures: the Gallardo Spyder - which complies with EURO 4 homologation standards - reaches a top speed of 314km/h with the roof up and 307 km/h with the roof down, accelerating from 0 to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds.

There is also a range of optional equipment that makes the Gallardo Spyder even more exclusive, including:

Video camera on the rear spoiler (available also on the Coupé version)
New colour/perforated leather combinations for the dashboard, seats and door trim
Contrast colour stitching

Other optional equipment (also on the Coupé version) includes:

Choice of colour and leather and/or Alcantara combinations
Anti-theft system, heated mirrors, onboard computer, protective cover, coming home function, e-gear, set of two suitcases, lifting system, navigation system, coloured Lamborghini logo on wheel rims, rear spoiler, smokers' version
Various packages to customise the car: leather package, carbon fibre package, branding package, winter package, travel set and sports set-up
Silver Callisto wheels
Heated electric seats
Coloured brake calipers