The all-new Gallardo could also be admired in Brussels...  

Moving from one success to another, Lamborghini is also making its mark in Europe’s capital. It inaugurated a new showroom on April 10 this year on the Leuvensesteenweg or Chaussée de Louvain 373 in Sint-Stevens-Woluwe, close to Zaventem and the airport.

Entering the showroom, one finds back the typical corporate style and « ambiente » of the thoroughbred marque. Not suprisingly, as one knows that the room is fitted to Lamborghini’s exact and distinctive corporate standards.

Strengthening its brand identity

Stephan Winkelmann, the CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, stated at the inauguration that the showroom environment and the received service is as much part of the Lamborghini experience and pleasure of ownership as the car itself.

Indeed, this « ambiente » and impeccable service is an important aspect of communicating the marque to new audiences, and thus constantly increases Lamborghini’s international brand recognition and its aspirational and market value, according to Stephan Winkelmann.

The investment in the new showroom demonstrates amply the commitment of the marque in Belgium and Luxemburg, as stated by Serge Henkens, the General Manager of Lamborghini Brussels. As one knows, Lamborghini Brussels, being a division of s.a. D’Ieteren n.v., has been an official partner of Automobili Lamborghini since November 2001.

Belgian premiere : the Gallardo Coupé LP560-4

The opening of the showroom was also an excellent occasion to unveil the breathtaking Gallardo Coupé which was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show. The car is very important, as it replaces the original Gallardo Coupé, which was introduced in 2003 and which was the most succesful Lamborghini model of all times. Not less than some 7100 Gallardo’s had left the Sant’Agata Bolognese production plant over the years. But the new car has obviously the mettle to take the success of the first Gallardo even further. « The dynamics are simply breathtaking and its design sets new standards » according to proud CEO Stephan Winkelmann.

The throbbing heart of the Gallardo Coupé LP560-4 is a new 5.2 litre V10 engine with an output of some 560 PS or 412 kW at 8000 rpm. The new car got 40 HP stronger and 20 kilos lighter, resulting in a power to weight ratio of 2.5 kilograms per HP. Not surprisingly, the LP560-4 accelerates - or should we say catapults - from 0 to 100 km in a mere 3.7 seconds. To reach 200 km costs only 11.8 seconds, and the top speed is 325 km/h.

A « greener » thoroughbred.

Of course the new Gallardo sets in with the tune of the times, and despite delivering more power, the engine runs a lot cleaner thanks to the stratified direct fuel injection, or « Iniezione Diretta Stratificata », as the works officially calls it. Co2 emissions have been reduced by a staggering 18 percent.

The engineers in the Sant’Agata-based Technical Department have also improved traction, handling and stability at high speeds. The redesigned four-wheel drive transmission, the new suspension and the optimised aerodynamics make it a super sports car which is also at home on the race-track.

But the car is also surprisingly suited to long-distance driving is has outstanding driveability, so all drivers feel soon at home behind the wheel.

Stark Lamborghini elegance

A Lamborghini’s elegance is that of stark, purist strength. This DNA of the Lamborghini brand is being continuously developed by the Centro Stile in every new car. Thus the Gallardo LP560-4 displays the precise lines and clean surface edges in its distinctly minimalist design. Ornaments or embellishments of any form are alien to it.

Of course, the omnipresent LED-fashion has not escaped the Lamborgini stylists. The new headlights have a characteristic ‘daytime’ running light integrated beneath the Bi-Xenon lamps: 15 diodes (LED) have been positioned in a Y structure. The same motif appears again in the rear tail-lights.

The designers in Sant’Agata have demonstrated distinct attention to detail; the elaborate aluminium cap for petrol and motor oil are testimony to this, as is the rear camera which has been integrated in a small fin in the independent rear spoiler as well as the finely-crafted grille in the exhaust pipes.

Luxurious individuality

Despite its low exterior height, the Gallardo LP560-4 posesses a quite spacious interior. There is space behind the seats for luggage which complements the 110 litre front trunk.

The wide middle accommodates the standard Lamborghini multimedia system as well as the air conditioning which can be regulated on both the driver’s and passenger’s sides. Between both of these elements lies a newly designed module consisting of classically elegant flip switches. We liked very much this « classic » touch so typical of our thorougbred cars decades ago. Seven round instruments in the cockpit with a new graphic provide the driver with essential engine data and a multifunctional display between the speedometer and rev counter provides the driver with the essential information.

Lamborghini cars have always been characterized by the excellent quality of workmanship. This quality is also felt in the Gallardo LP560-4. An array of different colours and stitching (also in contrasting colours) are available for the leather interior. The Gallardo can also ne had with a further choice of leather and Alcantara® interiors as well as Carbon Fibre Packages. Here, elements such as the air-conditioning surrounds, the control panel, the handbrake handle and the gear-stick surrounds are available in carbon fibre.

Furthermore, the individualisation program, Ad Personam, enables the customer to create any combination of colour and trim, thus creating a highly personalised vehicle. After all, the new Lamborghini should perfectly reflect the owner’s lifestyle.

We just show you some photos here, and will come back on different aspects of this supercar in further articles, where we concentrate on the engine, suspension, etc, as an illustration of the present « state of the art » construction and design of today’s supercars.

Hans Knol ten Bensel

The interior of the Gallardo shows state of the art elegance and unveils excellent workmanship...