Lamborghini Gallardo production ends

The last Gallardo, a Rosso Mars (red) LP 570-4 Spyder Performante, was built on November 25, and will go to a private collector.

As Lamborghini celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2013, this year also marks the tenth anniversary for the Gallardo, which debuted at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show.

Since that debut, the Gallardo has been, by far, the most successful model that Lamborghini has produced, with 14,022 examples built, accounting for almost half of all Lamborghini car production since 1963. Those numbers also make the Gallardo one of the most successful super sports cars from any manufacturer.

The Gallardo has also been largely responsible for increasing Lamborghini production from an average of only 250 units per year, to over 2,000 per year, on average, for the past decade.


Gallardo- a brief history
With a name taken from the bloodline of fighting bulls bred in the 18th Century, the original Gallardo from 2003 featured a lightweight aluminium spaceframe construction, naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V10 engine producing 500hp, robotized 'e-gear' sequential transmission and all-wheel-drive.

The Gallardo Spyder was added to the range in 2005, followed by the Superleggera lightweight version, equipped with numerous carbon fibre components, in 2007.

The second-generation Gallardo arrived in 2008, with a redesigned front and rear, and an increase in power, to 560hp, to create the LP 560-4. An upgraded Spyder appeared in the same year, carrying the same mechanical and cosmetic upgrades as the coupe.

The lightweight version's turn for an upgrade came in 2010, with the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera upping power from 530hp in the original to 570hp. An open-top Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante also joined the range that year.

Further options came in the form of the rear-wheel-drive only LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni limited edition (named for Lamborghini's long-serving test driver) and the LP 550-2 Spyder.

Super Trofeo Stardale and Gallardo Squadra Corse models have also been produced, with both inspired by Lamborghini's competition activities in the single-make Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo racing series in Europe.

Arguably the most potent of the 32 Gallardo variants produced, the LP 570-4 Squadra Corse boasts a dry weight of 1340 kg, 70 less than the LP 560-4, with carbon ceramic brakes, a stunning power-to-weight ratio (2.35 kilograms per hp), 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, and a top speed of 320 km/h.

A decade of production saw the Gallardo sold in 45 countries, and a number of regional special editions added, designed to appeal to specific markets, including Singapore, Malaysia, China and India. Regardless of region, customers could also have their Gallardo individually tailored to suit their own preferences via Lamborghini's ''Ad Personam'' program.

Finally, several special 'Gallardo Polizia Stradale' have also been built for the Italian State Police. With blue lights, special paintwork and dedicated equipment, two of these are still in service.

The closing of the Gallardo chapter doesn't mean the end of the 'entry level' Lamborghini. Plans are well in advance for a new model, tipped to be called 'Cabrera,' which expected to debut in the next 12 - 14 months.ad