Lamborghini LP570-4 Superleggera

SPECIFICATIONS

1. In the LP570-4 Superleggera a 5.2L V10 engine makes 562-hp at 8000 and 398 ft-lbs of torque at 6500. 2. Weighing 154-lbs less than the standard production Gallardo, it tips the scales at just 3,015 lbs. 3. Acceleration is listed at 3.4 seconds to 62-mph and a top speed of 202-mph. 4. The Super-G will set you back $242,695 – a $34,700 premium over the LP560-4.

PREVIEW

In Monterey for the lead-up to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and with hundreds, literally hundreds, of high-priced Italian exotics in town, you really need something special to stand out. And that’s just what I’m doing, cruising slowly through tourist-packed Cannery Row before heading out to burn premium octane at a far more rapid pace on California’s pacific coast highway in the newest Lamborghini, the LP570-4 Superleggera – painted bright yellow no less.

There’s absolutely no denying this is an Italian exotic of the highest lineage. Sitting an almost immeasurably low distance from the ground, it’s wide, angular and looks about as terrifying as A real bull that’s lost a few rounds to a matador.

Accentuating the characteristics of this Lambo are dark painted lower trim items like the Reventon-inspired front bumper and rear diffuser – with matching blacked-out quad exhaust pipes. Exposed high-gloss carbon fiber is used for the side mirrors and for the thin side skirts, while a large black spoiler out back takes inspiration from the Gallardo Super Trofeo racing series cars.

A final note on the exterior of the car is the absolutely stunning set of lightweight forged aluminum 19-inch wheels that save a total of 28.6 lbs compared to the rollers on the LP560-4.

INTERIOR

Slide into the cavernous cockpit, push the ignition button the Superleggera’s 5.2-liter V10 howls to life at a volume that’s equally as conspicuous as its design. Pulling out of the Cannery Row hotel where Lambo has set up base I’m thankful for the air ride suspension on the front axle that allows the pricey bodywork to be raised two-inches to avoid any scrapes. A mathematically precise angle is still required to get out onto the street, but I manage to avoid scaring the metallic yellow piece of Italian artwork. Initially offered on Murciélago models, this convenience feature has tricked down to the Gallardos and we just can’t figure out why more high-end sports cars don’t offer it.

When in its default position (achieved manually by pressing the button again or automatically by exceeding a pre-set speed), the Superleggera sits just off the ground. By comparison, a Corvette feels like a crossover.

By comparison, the stripped-down F430 Scuderia isn’t nearly so harsh. Current Lambo owners looking for the next great thing from Sant'Agata Bolognese, aren’t likely to care however, with the Super-G an exaggeration of all things Lambo.The suspension is seriously stiff and with the carbon panels, minimalist carbon fiber racing-style seats and Alcantara-coated steering wheel it feels appropriate. There’s a sensation from behind the wheel that you’re piloting a raw and powerful racecar on the street. And with what this thing’s capable of, who’s going to argue with you?

UNDER THE HOOD

Lay into the throttle and all 562-hp (a 10-hp bump over the standard LP560 model) rockets you forward in a way that no V8 can. Even at partial throttle it’s more than excessive.

Lambo officially rates the car at 3.4 seconds to 62 mph, but stats like that are irrelevant. The Gallardo shines at higher speeds and revs freely well beyond where you might expect a V10 to. Full power comes on at 8000 rpm, with 500 rpm more available before redline. At first it's easy to shift early out of habit, thinking there can’t possible be more to each gear. But there is, as you wind the V10 out, your greedy appetite for speed rewarded with blistering acceleration and a sound that can only be described as awesome.

Even on this hard-core Gallardo, Lamborghini has retained the three-stage E-Gear transmission with a fully automatic mode. In addition there’s a Sport mode (your ideal default for fun), while a Corsa mode is also available extending the threshold of the stability control system while further optimizing the shift times. When activated, Corsa mode also allows you to access the car’s launch control program in order to hit that low three-second 0-60 mph time.