Featured in this article is the 2008 Lamborghinin Gallardo Superleggera.
The Lamborghini Gallardo is a high-performance super car built in Italy. The Gallardo Superleggera is the higher priced model. On the outside, the Gallardo, built in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, benefits from outstanding Italian design. This car simply looks exotic and flamboyant at any angle. It’s an Italian Super Car. It’s super fast and has a hefty price tag to go along with it.
The Gallardo Models
The Lamborghini Gallardo is available in three models. There is a base two-door coupe, a Superleggera and a Spyder convertible.
The car has an aluminum body and space frame allowing it a better power to weight ratio. These powerful cars have employ a 520 hp (some sources say 530 HP) 5.0-liter V-10 along with a six-speed manual transmission (optional is a sequential “E-gear” transmission). The Gallardo is an all-wheel drive automobile and comes with several standard safety features such as airbags, antilock brakes, traction control, and an electronic stability system.
The three models of the 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo are the Coupe ($186,250) and Spyder ($217,000) versions. The Superleggera ($222,800) comes only as a coupe. Options for the Superleggera include a stationary rear wing instead of the standard articulated wing that rises and falls with the speed of the car. Also on the options list are eight-piston carbon disc brakes ($10,000), as well as a window net, fire extinguisher, and a bar for competition seat belts. The six-speed manual transmission is a no-cost option.
The Gallardo Superleggera
It was exceedingly clear from the beginning that the Gallardo Superleggera was something special. A light weight Lamborghini that showed a race pedigree. In Italian the term ‘superleggera” means “superlight”.
As you can imagine, the lighter weight (126 lbs less) Superleggera is very quick and amazingly fast. It holds to the road so well that you’ll likely work the tires only on a racing circuit. In addition, the Superleggera has terrific braking capability. The acceleration performance is truly exhilarating and at full speed in the Sport mode the E-gear changes gears like a race driver striving to cross the finish line with a win.
By the same token the Superleggera in it’s automatic or normal manual modes shifts very smoothly and functions very well at low speeds. It’s been said that the Gallardo Superleggera is not as easily street driven as a Porsche 911 Turbo but it’s not a Dodge Viper either.
Superleggera Performance
The low and wide Gallardo Superleggera is comfortable to drive. This is the case whether you’re in heavy traffic or cruising at low speed.
To drive the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera is to drive one of the most exciting, powerful and capable sports cars in the world today. Lamborghini claims Zero to 60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, and a top speed just under 200 miles per hour. Some reports claim the Superleggera can attain 210 MPH.
Also note that race Gallardo Twin Turbo conversions can juice the horsepower up to the 700 range on normal fuel and above 1,000 on racing fuel.
Only about 350 of these cars were available worldwide, making them instant collector’s items.
2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera Specifications
As mentioned above, the car comes with a powerful 520 hp 5.0-liter aluminum V-10 engine. Some claims are that the engine puts out 530 HP. Some reports put the horsepower at precisely 523.
If you’re looking for low fuel consumption this is not the automobile for you. The Lamborghini Gallardo will get you about 9.5 miles per gallon in the city and about 19 miles per gallon on the highway.
Transmission is a six speed manual. The six-speed e-gear automated manual is a no-cost option to the six-speed manual.
Front and rear brakes are ventilated discs.
Dimension for the 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera include an overall length of 169.3 inches, a wheelbase of 100.8 inches, a width of 74.8 inches and a height of 45.9 inches. This is a low car. Ground clearance is 5.1 inches. These are the same dimensions of all 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo models.
The lighter weight of the Superleggera has a lot to do with the carbon fiber used for the engine cover, the rear diffuser, the underbody cover, the exterior mirrors, the rear spoiler, the side sills. Even so the Superleggera still sports a curb weight of 3,434 lbs, not entirely lightweight by some standards. Another interesting fact is that the Gallardo Superleggera was known to run an impressive 8.72 seconds in the quarter mile at 169 mph. Impressive might be an understatement.
Lamborghini Gallardo production ended in 2013. Total production of the Gallardo model was 14,022 units. The Lamborghini Gallardo, first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, was the most-built Lamborghini and it ranks among the most successful super sports cars. It’s an interesting fact that during the first forty years of of Automobili Lamborghini production averaged about 250 cars per year. During the ten years of Gallardo production the yearly average as about 1,400 units.
Even more amazing is almost half of all 30,000 Lamborghinis built since the company was first founded in 1963, are Gallardos
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Lamborghini Gallardo Values
Lamborghinin’s are certainly not cars for every collector. As of this writing you may come across used Gallardo Superleggeras in the $150,000 to $170,000 range. Used Gallardo Spyders might be priced in the $100,000 to $130,000 range.
(Article and photos copyright 2014 AutoMuseumOnline)