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December 20, 2024
Join us for a look around two generations of Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera with just £40 between them.
Superleggera is one of those words that reminds us that just about anything can sound fancy in Italian. The Jaguar F-Type Superlight wouldn't have much of a ring to it, would it? In fact, it’s probably best we don’t talk about Jaguar right now, so back to the subject at hand — Lamborghini.
The Gallardo, aka ‘the baby Lambo’ as it was known back when it was launched in 2003 after decades of big V12s, transformed the popularity of the brand with a fresh new offering priced at a smidge under £100,000 with the standard six-speed manual transmission — ah, those were the days!
Four years later, the baby bull grew its horns with the hardcore, stripped-back Superleggera to raise its fists to the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, with a modest power increase to 530hp alongside a 100kg weight saving. After just a year in production and 618 units worldwide, the Gallardo was facelifted to become the LP560, then, in 2010, the Superleggera was reborn with the LP570-4 Superleggera, continuing the ethos and upping power to, you guessed it, 570hp.
The two generations are very similar to look at and sit in, they’re both V10-powered with four-wheel drive and six-speed E-Gear transmissions, but the even-firing 5.0-litre V10 in the Gen 1 car offers a unique tone, more of a high-pitched wail, compared to the hard-edged bark of the odd-firing 5.2-litre V10 in the LP570.
Really, it’s a matter of preference whether you want the rarity of the original and that distinctive sound or the added refinements and more modern styling of the LP570, and we noticed one of each generation has gone up for sale this week with just £40 to separate them, so the choice is yours!
Gallardo Superleggera
2007 (07) | 27,900 Miles | £124,990
Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
The original Superleggera is something Adam has lusted after for years, and this colour, Grigio Telesto, seems to be synonymous with them. This car has full carbon fibre interior and exterior packages, covered with full-body PPF. It has ceramic brakes, a roll cage and race harnesses which are nice as these really do feel like a hardcore car with all the Alcantara, carbon fibre and bucket seats which only slide backwards and forwards.
Handily, it has the front lifting system, but perhaps the most exciting feature didn’t come from Sant'Agata Bolognese — a Larini Clubsport exhaust system with sport cats. Can you even imagine the sound this thing makes?!
2012 (12) | 20,290 Miles | £124,950
Our friends at TOP 555 call this the best example they have seen, also coming with the carbon fibre package, lifting system and carbon racing seats (with regular belts this time). Just like the Gen 1, it also has full-body PPF, and would you believe it, it also has a Larini switchable exhaust system! The original exhaust system is also available, but anyone who changes it back would get a suspicious look from me.
The mileage is lower and of course, this is a newer car, although the Gen 1 is the original Superleggera, so it’s a tough choice. I think they both represent mega value given how special and rare they are, especially when you look at equivalent Porsches and Ferraris, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the WhatsApp community!
