Lambo calls time on Gallardo 26 | 11 | 2013
THE FINAL LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO has rolled off the production line at the Italian supercar's Sant'Agata Bolognese factory.
The final model was a Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante and marks the end of a 10-year production run. A total of 14,022 Gallardos have been built, by far most of any model in Lamborghini's history.
Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2003 to mark Lamborghini's 40th anniversary, the model marked a change in the company's philosophy, increasing the average number of models produced per year from 250 to around 2000.
After enjoying the success of the original Gallardo supercar, the model was joined by a Gallardo Spyder in 2005, and another variant in the form of the Gallardo Superlegerra in 2007. The Superlegerra reduced the weight of the original Gallardo through its use of carbonfibre, while also increasing power from the V10 engine to 523bhp.
In 2008, Lamborghini introduced the second generation of Gallardo. The new car came with refreshed styling and a new direct-injection V10 engine with 552bhp.
Related: Lambo unveils Veneno Roadster
A second-generation Gallardo Spyder was also introduced in the same year, alongside a refreshed Superlegerra in 2010 which increased power yet again to 562bhp. A new Spyder Performante version was also introduced with 570bhp.
Two rear-wheel-drive variants of the Gallardo, the Valentino Balboni edition and the 550-2 Spyder were also introduced.
The two final editions of the Gallardo, the Super Trofeo Stradale and the Gallardo Squadra Corse, bought the Gallardo's 32-variant history to a close.
The Squadra Corse weighs just 1340kg, 70kg less than the standard Gallardo. Lamborghini says the model can accelerate to 62mph in 3.4 seconds, and get to 124mph in 10.4 seconds. The car has a top speed of 199mph.
Overall, the Gallardo has been sold in 45 countries and has been seen in multiple motorsport disciplines, becoming one of the most successful models for Lamborghini in its history.
The company is understood to be already working on a replacement for the Gallardo. Believed to be called Carbrera, is due to go on sale in the second half of next year.
Already spotted testing at the Nurburgring, the new Lambo shares some of its underpinnings with the Audi R8 replacement, which is due in 2015. It's believed the Carbrera will have close to 600bhp from the latest version of Lamborghini's 5.2-litre V10.
Related: Lambo shows 221mph Veneno
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Jim McGill