Reports circulating the automotive webdom suggest that the new version of the Gallardo which Lamborghini will be unveiling next week in Geneva will be called the LP560-4. Whereas previous reports indicated a LP550 nameplate, the LP560-4 designation draws on the new car's reported metric power rating of 560 PS – equivalent to 552hp – with the 4 designating the four-wheel-drive system. This latter addition is not present on previous Lamborghini model nomenclature, including the Murcielago, whose second iteration was similarly named LP640, without the additional 4 despite the traction at all wheels. (We wonder if Lamborghini decided to forgo the 550 numerology because arch-rival Ferrari used it on a contemporary model.) Meanwhile, AutoWeek reports that the new Gallardo's engine is more closely related to that of the Audi RS6: a more durable 5.2-liter V10 with FSI direct-injection, replacing the outgoing Gallardo's 5-liter unit.
The revised nomenclature comes from quotes attributed to Lambo chief Stephan Winkelmann, and accompanies the conceptual rendering you see above, although neither appears on the company's press site. Whatever the banner under which the new Gallardo will drive, it not only itself helps Lamborghini directly live up to its promise of a new model at each major auto show, but opens to the door to new future variants, which are likely to include a new Spyder and possibly a new Superleggera. We'll continue to keep our eyes and ears open.
[Source: tuningsnews.net via World Car Fans]
Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept
Spy Shots: Production Audi TT Clubsport Quattro
Chevy Camaro getting early unveil at Indy in September
James Garner recovering from mild stroke
VIDEO: God's ringtone is a V10-powered Audi R8
First Drive: 2009 Ford Escapes, more of almost everything
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang
Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans
_thumbnail.jpg "Lamborghini Reventon unboxed in Las Vegas")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aetius @ Feb 27th 2008 10:18AM
Italian exotics shouldn't have numbers after their names!
SPG @ Feb 27th 2008 10:25AM
At least I can't see "LP560-4" being mentioned in any club songs.
Jason @ Feb 27th 2008 10:27AM
you'll be surprised
V @ Feb 27th 2008 10:28AM
By naming the updated version the Gallardo LP560-4, this report suggests that Lambo wants people to know that the regular Gallardo has AWD.
This opens the door for Lambo to release a SLIGHTLY more affordable Gallardo V8 with RWD, which won't have the number 4.
Either way, a more powerful Gallardo LP560-4 with AWD and a slightly more affordable Gallardo with RWD sound great!
John @ Feb 27th 2008 10:35AM
I was thinking the same thing, only the skeptic in me doubts that the RWD-only version would be more affordable.
I'm thinking more like, RWD-only, track-day special edition (a more focused Superleggera), that would undoubtedly carry a premium. Think GT2 to Porsche's 911 Turbo.
Yubastard @ Feb 27th 2008 10:42AM
and how much affordable would it be? half? which is $100,000? at least it would need 450HP
tankd0g @ Feb 27th 2008 10:56AM
I bet it wouldn't be cheaper once you insure it :)
tankd0g @ Feb 27th 2008 10:55AM
"-4" Most redundant thing, ever.
Spaceweasel @ Feb 27th 2008 10:57AM
Exotic cars need exotic names. LP560-4 is not nearly as evocative as Gallardo. Just as 512TR can't hold a candle to Testarossa. It's just a number and letter soup. Don't make me decode your exotics name - give me a poetic whiff of far off lands and a dream of slicing through the corner over the cliffs of someplace I've only read about.
The worst of it is that the numbers seem to lock the car down to a certain time. Five years from now when every exotic car worth it's salt is sporting 750 horses under the hood, do you really want to pull up in something with 2/3 the bragging rights?
Jay @ Feb 27th 2008 11:00AM
jeez o' man, and I thought LP640 didn't really roll off the tongue...
Mobius_1 @ Feb 27th 2008 11:09AM
Whatever happened to all the cool Lambo names? Leave the prefixes and numbers to the Germans, Italian cars need provocative names with beautiful sounds (Quattroporte, GranTurismo, Gallardo, Murcielago... etc etc)
Cypher09 @ Feb 27th 2008 11:13AM
Figures the Germans take over and the exotic names go out the window.
HeyHuub @ Feb 27th 2008 11:35AM
Like the Lambo 350GT, Miura P400,Urraco P300, Countach LP500 or 5000QV?
Lambo's always have had numbers since the very first 350GT.
BAMF @ Feb 27th 2008 5:08PM
haha, owned
Luke Kobilan @ Feb 27th 2008 7:59PM
I see that the 560 is pretty close to the Audi RS6's engine. I am eagerly awaiting more pictures and specs. I hope they make a NERA edition of this one too.
montoym @ Feb 27th 2008 8:58PM
The RS6 is rated at 580HP and is a biturbo 5.2L V-10. The engines in the S6 and S8 however, are N/A 5.2L FSI V-10's sporting 435 and 450HP.
Being that the Gallardo is not turbo, isn't the engine more realted to the S-Cars rather than the RS-Cars?
Regardless, it's quite impressive to get that much power out of an N/A street engine of that size and especially such a big jump from what the S6 and S8 get powerwise.