By LAWRENCE TAN
Speculation over a rear-wheel drive Lamborghini has finally
been ended yesterday when Sant’Agata Bolognese announced the Lamborghini
Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni, named in honor of and as a fitting tribute
to its long-serving test driver of more than 40 years.
Though now officially retired, Lamborghini says Balboni was
instrumental in the conception of this sole rear-wheel drive model in the
Lamborghini stable.
Balboni has after all tested every prototype, and most of
the Prancing Bulls that rolled out of Sant’Agata since 1973, including the
legendary Lamborghini Miura of the 60s to the current Gallardos and Murciélagos.
Its press
statements read: “The LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni was conceived in line with his own thinking,
and it meets many customers’ requests for a model with a unique
character, which offers a very special kind of active driving fun”.
With transmission shifted to the rear axle, the LP 550-2
sheds a significant amount of weight compared to its brethren, the Gallardo LP
560-4 and LP 560-4 Spyder.
As its numerical nomenclature suggests, there’s a de-tuning
of sorts made to the 5.2 liter V10 engine, which now produces 550 hp. But
that’s still good enough for a 0-62 mph burst in 3.9 seconds, just two seconds
more than the LP 560-4. Top speed is capped at 199 mph.
To differentiate this Gallardo, Lamborghini has inked a
white and gold stripe that runs the length of the sportscar, taking cues from
classic sports cars from the ‘70s. This classic look continues in the interiors
with a white center console and white stripes running down the black leather
seats.
There are eight color trims to choose from, paired with new
Scorpius wheels with a choice of black, orange or yellow brake callipers.
Carbon ceramic brakes and an e-gear transmission come as additional options.
Lamborghini has planned a production run of 250 for this
special LP
550-2 Valentino Balboni, and each of course bears the signature of its honoree
below the left side window.
Lamborghini