Autoblog

Remember Lamborghini's pledge to attend each major auto show with a new product? Pretty ambitious, but by and large the exotic Italian carmaker has lived up to its promise. In unveiling the LP560-4, the revised version of the Gallardo, Lamborghini opened up a whole new range of possibilities, and we're expecting new Spyder and possibly Superleggera models to follow at coming shows.

The former is likely to be the first to make its debut. While modifying a vehicle – especially one with such dynamic excellence as the Gallardo – to drop its top is a time-consuming affair, remember that the outgoing Gallardo on which the LP560-4 is based had its own Spyder version, so we wouldn't expect too long a development period. Still, the Paris show in October could be a bit soon, so we might have to wait a while longer to see the new Spyder. In the meantime, we've got a very...different video of the new Gallardo LP560-4 after the jump, just because we like you that much.

[Source: AutoGespot via World Car Fans]

UPDATE 1: Hi-res photo gallery added after the jump!


Today, Hamann sent out word of its latest creation: a tuned version of the highly desirable Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. Hamann's visual upgrades enhance the musclebound "baby" Lambo's form by giving it a racier look while reportedly providing real aerodynamic benefits. The new front spoiler and side skirts are complemented in back by either a new 3-piece rear spoiler or a race-inspired rear wing.

Performance-wise, Hamann offers two different exhaust upgrades, and can also reprogram the car's ECU to kick peak output up to 520 horsepower. Slowing down a car with that much juice takes a little extra effort, so bigger brakes with 8-piston calipers up front and 6-pots in back can be fitted to make exiting lightspeed a little easier. Naturally, the wheels can be upgraded, too. We favor the turbofan look in the picture above, but the black rims pictured after the jump look just fine as well.

Finally, the most important upgrade Hamann bestows upon the Gallardo is, ironically, the conversion to "Lambo" doors. In a week-long process, the stock doors are modified to open butterfly-style. In the case of the Gallardo, it's actually fitting.

(Hi-res photo gallery after the jump)

[Source: Hamann]

Volkswagen subsidiary Automobili Lamborghini is carving out a bigger niche in the exotic car market now that it's under the wing of VW's Audi brand. The automaker has seen sales in the first half of 2006 jump 45 percent, from 655 to 952 units, on strong sales of its new Gallardo Spyder, expansion of its dealer network, and a growing international market for exotic automobiles. Sales in the key U.S. market are up 68 percent so far this year.

CEO Stephan Winkelmann confidently predicted that 2006 will set a new sales record for the company, with both the Gallardo Spyder and the Murcielago LP640 models sporting 12 month backlogs.

The company has expanded into new markets in Asia and Eastern Europe, as it increased its worldwide dealer network 35 percent in the first six months of 2006. Winkelmann is shooting for 100 dealers by year-end.

[Source: Italiaspeed]