The Italian car market is quite interesting. Unlike any other market in the world, the Italian market is filled with super and hypercar manufacturers. When looking closely, the most notorious and admired supercars originate from Italy. Whether it is Ferrari, Pagani, or Lamborghini, there is plenty to choose from for those with cushy bank accounts.
Lamborghini is not as old as most people may think. Established in 1963, Lamborghini made sure to always come up with cars that only very fortunate people could afford. Consequently, there are rules every Lamborghini owner needs to follow in order to remain part of the supercar-owner club. In the recent past, Lamborghini created the Gallardo: an entry-level supercar.
10 First Edition
The early 2000s were blessed with great European supercars. From the Ferrari F430 to the Lamborghini Murcielago, the Italians were going full-throttle. While most people were captivated by the flagship vehicles made by these companies, Lamborghini moved ahead with a smaller and less onerous supercar.
The first Gallardo definitely is not among the ugliest Italian cars ever made. In fact, it is one of the most gorgeous Lamborghinis made over the last 20 years. Produced under Audi's supervision, the Gallardo was not Lamborghini's most revered supercar. However, it ended up being the best-selling Lamborghini since 1963.
9 Beast Within
From the late '60s until 2003, there was not a single Lamborghini car that came stock with a V10. Top-line Lamborghinis come naturally with a humongous V12. There were also times when Lamborghini gave its cars a V8. However, when Lamborghini decided to try something new, it did not hold back. The more affordable Lamborghini will be equipped with an outlandish engine.
The mid-2000s saw the apparition of large engines coming out of Europe. For Lamborghini, the most sensible choice ended up being a 5.0-liter V10, rated at 493 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. In 2005, Lamborghini extracted more power out of the V10, bringing the total output to 513 hp. The high-revving motor was on the path to becoming one of Lamborghini's most popular units.
8 Comfy
Supercars are not SUVs. They are not meant to be comfortable, especially if they are special editions or track-only builds. Lamborghini really changed that starting with the Diablo. The base Diablo was fairly comfortable compared to the Countach. Things kept on improving over the years, as Lamborghini understood that its customers may spend all their time at the racetrack.
The interior of the Gallardo is logically nowhere as spacious as what could be found on a Cadillac Escalade ESV. With that said, the Gallardo comes with sportier seats that are oddly comfortable. The center console is nothing special compared to what was given to the Diablo or even the Countach. Things got spicier as the Gallardo earned the reputation of being a great supercar.
7 Show Off
While the interior of the Gallardo is quite snazzy, nothing beats cruising around in a supercar and be stared at by others. Supercar are head-turners, after all. In states where it is conventional to display wealth as a sign of success, pulling up to the valet with a convertible supercar will never fail to grab everybody's attention. Lamborghini knew that.
The Spyder was released five years after the Coupe. Besides the drop-top, the Spyder looks exactly like the Coupe. Things are slightly different underneath the hood. The 4.9-liter V10 pumps out more power than the first edition. Now rated at 513 hp at 8,000 rpm and 376 rpm at 4,250 rpm, the Spyder combines both style and power. Once the 500 hp mark has been crossed, it is fair to say that things are getting really serious.
6 Modern Art
To most car aficionados, car designers are true artists. They display their creativity and passion for the art by working tirelessly on what is dear to them. With that said, beauty is subjective. There are times when car designs are simply breathtaking. On the other hand, there have been numerous times when car designers simply could not come up with anything attractive.
At Lamborghini, designers know for a fact that there is no room for error. The Concept S is one of the coolest Lamborghini concepts everyone forgot about. In an effort to bring back spirits of the past, Lamborghini adopted the old-school roadster style. With two different cockpits and a windshield that is as useful as a heater in the Sahara, the Lamborghini Concept S nicely combines elements of the past with the modern designs.
5 Five-0
As outlaws now have access to some of the fastest cars in the world thanks to money generated illegally, it has become harder for law enforcement to keep up with them. For example, the Dodge Hellcat is a huge hit among people that are up to no good. The reason behind this attraction is the fact that the Hellcat can easily outrun regular patrol cars.
Back in 2007, Lamborghini donated a handful of Gallardo LP560-4 to the Italian police. Originally introduced to combat road violations and transport organs in a timely manner, the Gallardo LP560-4 was the most sensible choice. The City of London in the United Kingdom and Panama both introduced the Gallardo to their respective police forces.
4 Lightweight
Each and every car made by Lamborghini at some point ended up on a racetrack. Lamborghinis are usually in championships that are not very popular in America. While gearheads may not diligently follow GT3 or GT1 racing, the street-legal versions of these cars are worth a look.
Based on the LP570-4, the Super Trofeo is the beast one would expect to see on a lucky day at Laguna Seca. A quick look at the race version of the LP570-4 will let any car fan know that the Super Trofeo means business. Equipped with the same high-revving 5.2-liter V10 found on the LP-570-4, this race-ready Gallardo goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds thanks to its 562 hp. This special edition inherited a plethora of performance parts, such as the 10-position aerodynamic wing.
3 All About The Benjamins
Whenever a Lamborghini zooms by on the freeway, most gearheads wish they could trade in their 2015 Acura TLX for something far more exhilarating. Unfortunately, Lamborghinis are out of reach for more than 90% of car fans. The wealthiest car enthusiasts may have the financial capacity to purchase one or more supercars, but they may not have the right connections to get their hands on the holy grail.
The LP570-4 Squadra Corse is one of the awesome Lamborghinis gearheads would remortgage the house for. As a matter of fact, not a single street-legal Gallardo comes close to this rare bull. With only 50 units ever made and only 15 made for the American market, this racetrack-ready machine valued at roughly $200,000 is not made for the average supercar owner.
2 Wow Effect
Cars that only Fortune 100 CEOs can afford are obviously not made for the masses. While the following may sound egregious, the average Lamborghini Gallardo is a car for the masses. The same principle applies to the base Murcielago. When companies such as Lamborghini came out with a special edition, they tried to attract the top 1% of potential supercar owners.
The Squadra Corse unsurprisingly comes with the 5.2-liter V10 found on all second generation Gallardos. What most gearheads are unaware of is that the same unit is found on the Audi S8 D3. Still rated at 562 and 398 lb-ft of torque, the engine is in this case just a glimpse into the Squadra Corse's true potential. The supercar was made for one and one thing only: tear up the track.
1 Track Ready
From the very first Lamborghini released in 1963, it was clear that the Italian automaker was not looking to manufacture boring everyday cars. As a result, Lamborghini provided its customers with sports cars that were externally and internally appealing. From the wheels, to the engine, to the interior, Lamborghini made sure that every aspect of its cars would attract the right enthusiasts.
The Lamborghini Gallardo rocks an elegant interior. When it comes to sport-oriented Gallardos, the leather seats gave way to bucket seats covered in alcantara. Whether it is the Squadra Corse, the Super Trofeo, or the Superleggera Nero Nemesis, specialty Gallardos are not for the faint of heart. Given the fact that they were all produced in limited numbers, they are likely to increase in value in the future.