VIDEO: Valentino Balboni introduces his namesake Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni - Click above for a high-res image gallery
If you've spent any time behind the wheel of a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, the notion of a more sporting version is pretty close to absurd. Of course, we're not Valentino Balboni, the man who's logged more miles behind the wheel of more Lamborghinis than any other human being in the history of Earth. While we'd be thrilled to one day break his record, we probably won't. Balboni has served as Lambo's test driver since 1967, and in 1973 began sitting behind the wheel of all the prototypes, including the Diablo, Murcielago and Gallardo. Few cars have left Sant'Agata without Balboni's stamp of approval, so when a new bull appears, "conceived in line with [Balboni's] own thinking," you can be assured it will be special. How special was up for debate -- until we watched the video of Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-2 Valentino Balboni in action. Not to give anything away, but wow. And while on some level we know it's just slick corporate propaganda, on another, Balboni really does seem honored by the fast car with his name on the left window. Also, be sure not to miss the Estoque Easter egg. Lambo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni video is embedded after the jump. Go there now.
[Source: Automotive Addicts]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
andre lavoie 7:56PM (8/01/2009)
but why detune the engine? why not just drop the four wheel drive?
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fixitfixitstop 8:31PM (8/01/2009)
*obligatory knee-jerk comment about Obama being Communist* (sic)
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EU_reader 8:37PM (8/01/2009)
Imagine if his name were just about anything ELSE than Valentino Balboni.
It would have been a different marketing meeting at Lamborghini HQ
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EU_reader 10:53PM (8/01/2009)
By which I mean that he has an exeptionally cool sounding name for a special edition :)
It just screams italian cool :)
Tang 9:01PM (8/01/2009)
Can't wait for the Max Venturi version!
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Venom 9:59PM (8/01/2009)
Pretty much one of the coolest jobs ever.
You can see he is really touched and happy to have the car named after him.
This is definitely the Gallardo to own.
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Tom 10:10PM (8/01/2009)
Was the Estoque just the dark, blurry car in the background of the photoshoot room? Not much of an Easter egg.
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BosGav 11:58AM (8/03/2009)
That's all I saw.
If anyone else saw more, please quote the minute:second time of the shot in the YouTube video thank you very much!
Farris 10:09PM (8/01/2009)
Another week, another special edition Lambo. *snore*
:D
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EU_reader 10:41PM (8/01/2009)
Uhm, that's Bugatti Veyron you're referring to, not Lambo
Farris 11:07PM (8/01/2009)
Either or. There are still a crap load of special versions of both of them.
Doesn't mean I don't want them. God what I would do for a Lamborghini...
arturo 10:18PM (8/01/2009)
cant wait to see this head to head with the new 458 Italia. I wonder who would sell more cars during this times!!! for some reason I am leaning towards the Italia 458. I am still debating weather Italia is a proper name since Italia is widely used everywhere, clothing, shoes etc etc.
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Matt (that likes ford) 11:23PM (8/01/2009)
Wow, tail-happiest Gallardo I've ever seen.....
So much respect for such a dignified man.
By the way I found the Estoque, it looks ready to see some pavement!
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feeboo 1:24AM (8/02/2009)
the fastest monument on earth would be the enzo ferrari(there may be something faster but i can't think of it personally). but i'm not trying to take away from balboni's well-deserved honour. not that he really made the miura or countach usable cars but lamborghini constantly got better and their latest cars are true gems.
i think my favourite balboni moment was when he made jeremy clarkson sick in one of his yearly specials when he whipped him around in a diablo. jeremy looked like he was about to blow chunks and all i could do was watch the huge grin on valentino's face.
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jacflash 8:08AM (8/02/2009)
Ah, Valentino's a Gianni-come-lately. I want to see the Bob Wallace edition Murcie -- with 800 hp, RWD only, stripped, lightweight, and with insanely bad ergonomics -- but gorgeous, and a blast to drive when it runs...
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Biomech 12:33PM (8/02/2009)
What a humble man, he truly deserves it. Nice guy, nice car!
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Will 2:14PM (8/02/2009)
Valentino Balboni is all that is man.
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artso06 4:24PM (8/02/2009)
Wish more men and women would get the congratulations for hard earned work like this. Thumbs up to Lambo for showing respect to a very humble man.
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irmoroam 7:37PM (8/02/2009)
Valentino Balboni is the real "World's Most Interesting Man"
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scoobycarolan 10:03AM (8/03/2009)
Its humid in my office. That must have been a drop of dew in the corner of my eye.
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