Lambo unveils new rear-drive Spyder 18 | 11 | 2011

OK, IT'S THE WEEKEND and time to start the big lottery-win dream: so welcome to the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder.

The Italian supercar company has added another two-wheel drive Lamborghini to its Gallardo range, and the newcomer makes its appearance two years after the Valentino Balboni edition launched the 2WD concept.

It will come as no surprise that the Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder uses much the same technology as the Balboni — of course, apart from the fact it drops the drive to the front wheels — but incorporates it into a stunning open-top bodystyle.

“This is a purists model that adds another dimension of driving fun,” Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini’s suave and sophisticatingly cool president, said. “This will appeal in particular to a very special group of customers that enjoy a spirited driving style and also like to experience the sheer pleasure of open-air driving."

See more official images of the new Lambo Spyder

The car may look svelte and demure, but under the bonnet lurks a 542bhp V10 capable of catapulting the car from standstill to 62mph in 4.9secs: and where legal, it'll continue accelerating until it hits the 198mph mark.

The Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder comes with a choice of six-speed transmissions; there's a conventional manual or an e-gear, robotised manual version.

Lamborghini has still to confirm the price of the new cabrio, but it's fairly safe to assume it will be close to that of the four-wheel-drive Gallardo hard-top which currently costs £157,000.

Should your lottery come up this weekend, and you get your order in right away for the Spyder, Lamborghini confirmed you'll be amongst the first customer to take delivery in spring 2012.

Lambo boss plans more specials

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Jim McGill