Category: Lamborghini

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Lamborghini Video

Valentino Balboni talks about “his” Lamborghini

Lamborghini Gallardo Balboni video

After 40 years service for the one company the traditional gift at retirement, supposedly, is a gold watch. Lamborghini, though, do things a little bit differently. Valentino Blaboni, the company’s chief test driver for a total of four decades, was presented with his own Gallardo.

Cool, imagine getting a supercar given to you when you retire. Nice, huh. But, Lamborghini actually went one step further by making a special limited edition run of the Gallardo adorned with Balboni’s name. Just 250 have been made—its full title, Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni.

Taking the honour further the Italian manufacturer did away with the Gallardo’s all-wheel drive system and decided to send every one of the car’s 550 horsepower to the rear wheels. Now, that is some retirement present!

The above still is taken from a brief YouTube clip produced by Danish car mag Bil Magasinet. You can see that after the jump, along with more images of Balboni and his car.

In the clip Balboni talks of trying to capture the spirit of the Miura and Countach in “his” Gallardo. He seems like a great guy, as well. The video is available in 1080p, so I suggest watching in full screen with the volume turned up to eleven.

[Thanks to Paul for the tip]

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Lamborghini News

Innocence lost (Update: Freedom gained)

Lamborghini Gallardo lost to dopey hoon laws

PerthNow brings us the absurd story of a Lamborghini Gallardo impounded under WA hoon laws. It has been alleged that the car was bring driven at speeds of up to 160km/h along the Reid Highway in Balcatta, Western Australia.

Not so much absurd about this story then, until you realise the driver of the car is not the owner. The Gallardo wasn’t stolen, either. The owner of the car had left it with his mechanic who it would now appear was unable to resist temptation while taking the 520hp supercar on a test drive.

As a result the car has been locked up for 28 days and WA Police say legislation prevents the car from being released, even though the car’s owner was not involved in the alleged offence. New anti-hooning laws came into play on new year’s day and these prevent release of impounded cars impounded unless they were stolen, are a hire car, were impounded unlawfully or if the car is needed by the owner for medical emergencies.

The owner of the Lamborghini has applied to have the car released, but it seems as though he will have a fight on his hands. WA Police Minister, Rob Johnson, has explained it is incumbent on car owners to know and trust who has access to their vehicle.

If we accept this story on face value, then these anti-hoon laws are a load of crap. If Minister Johnson has any semblance of justice he will be instructing his staff to amend the relevant Act as soon as possible.

UPDATE 8 January: The Herald Sun brings good news to Dr Patrick Nugawela, owner of the impounded Lamborghini Gallardo. Minister Rob Johnson has allowed Dr Nugawela’s car to be released saying, “You can never foresee every eventuality. I’ve listened to the community … I’ve listened to the talk back (radio).” Mr Johnson continued, “At the end of the day I want the community to support these anti-hoon laws. They are meant to protect people and save lives.”

[Source: PerthNow | Thanks to Dylan for the tip]

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Lamborghini

The Gospel according to Lamborghini Miura

The Lamborghini Miura Bible

The Lamborghini Miura is one of the world’s most beautiful supercars. If, like me, you are unlikely to ever own one you can now make do with a 272 page hardback book The Lamborghini Miura Bible by Joe Sackey.

The first print run was published in November 2008, but it sold out in just a few months. The newly reprinted edition means the results of Sackey’s 20 years of research and 450 photos of the gorgeous Miura can now be yours!

More details after the jump.

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Lamborghini Oh the humanity

Lamborghini Gallardo lights my fire

Lamborghini Gallardo up in flames

First it was a Ferrari 599 GTB. Then a McLaren F1. More tragedy followed with a Ferrari Enzo. Now, Lamborghini has got in on the latest supercar fad—the in-car barbeque. What a sad and terrible sight the above image paints with the once gorgeous Gallardo reduced to a fried mess. Fortunately, the two occupants escaped unharmed. The incident happened in Peterborough, a short drive to the north of Cambridge.

If you can take it, video of the supercar in flames can be seen after the jump.

UPDATE 14 July: In the news segment of the latest episode of Top Gear [13×04] lots of burning Gallardo examples were featured. Very sad.

[Source: Top Gear & BBC]

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Audi Bentley Bugatti Lamborghini Seat Skoda Volkswagen

Autostadt counts 18 millionth visitor

Autostadt, Wolfsburg, Germany

Car enthusiast heaven, otherwise known as the Autostadt, in Wolfsburg, Germany, recently saw its 18 millionth visitor through the turnstiles. Visitor numbers are nine years ahead of schedule. The Autostadt opened its doors on 1 June 2000, with predictions of 1 million visitors per annum. A figure which, in reality, has turned out to be 2 million visitors each year.

The Volkswagen Auto Group theme park has unique pavilions for all of the marques in its stable. That’s Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Seat, Skoda and, of course, Volkswagen. Also included is general auto museum featuring notable cars from outside the VAG history books, as well.

It’s a pretty amazing place, dominated by the twin glass car towers where buyers can collect their new cars from. You can get a taste of that experience from this previous AUSmotive article. If you get the opportunity I highly recommend a visit. Volkswagen’s press release can be read after the jump, along with a few happy snaps of my own from my visit in 2006.

Further information can be read at autostadt.de and volkswagen.com.

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Lamborghini Motor Shows

MIMS 2009 – Lamborghini

Lamborghini at the Melbourne International Motor Show 2009

The Lamborghini display was small in comparison to most others, but, of course, it was one of the most spectacular. The Gallardo is probably the most stuning looking supercar on the market today, and the drop top LP560-4 Spyder version has lost nothing in translation.

There was also a Murcielago on display reminding us just how brutal the Lambo badge can be.

Tucked away, almost sadly, in a corner near the Toyota stand was a Lamborghini Miura. This, in my mind, is the quintessential solution to how supercar should look. Indeed, if I was the deisgner at Bertone responsible for the Miura I think I’d have resigned on completion of the project. Other cars may look as good, but there aren’t any better. A real shame to have it hidden away out of view. Cars like this deserve much better.

See the pics after the jump to see the topless Gallardo, or read this earlier entry for more information.

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Lamborghini Random wallpapers

Random wallpapers: Lamborghini Miura SV

Lamborghini Miura SV

They say a picture says a thousand words. The Lamborghini Miura is beautiful. Nothing more need be said. Best to let the images do the talking (click on each image to load the wallpaper sized 2000x1320px versions).

You can see a Miura for yourself on the Historic Tribute display at the Melbourne International Motor Show (27 February–9 March).

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Lamborghini Motor Shows

Gallardo LP560-4 drops its top down under

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder

The Lamborghini stand at the 75th Melbourne International Motor Show, which starts next week, is going to be a good one. Making its Australian debut will be the Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder. The Gallardo is one of the finest looking supercars money can currently buy, if not the finest. And in soft top form it is just divine. That being the case, then, the sound from its 5.2 litre V10 is like divine intervention. It truly is a message from God!

With a lighter transmission, a reworked V10 engine, new suspension and updated all-wheel-drive system the LP560-4 Spyder can sprint to 100km/h in just four seconds flat. It has a top speed of 324km/h, and to keep Bob Brown happy, has dropped its fuel consumption by 18 per cent and reduced its CO2 emissions to boot.

Joining the Spyder on the Lambo stand will be the Gallardo coupé and the Murcielago LP640. The motor show’s Historic Tribute display will show off supercar royalty in the form of a 1960s Miura. I’m not sure the profile of any supercar has bettered the classic lines of this work of absolute perfection.

If you’re heading to show, make sure you check out the best Sant’Agata has to offer. I doubt you will be disappointed.

More pics after the jump. To download the press document from the 2008 LA Auto Show, including full specs; right click, save as HERE (100kb PDF).

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Lamborghini

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster – the sound of tyranny

This video, featuring a lurid orange Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster, is not new. Indeed, the car itself is not especially new, either. However, the clip is very well produced and makes epic viewing. If you haven’t seen the clip before, turn your speakers up to eleven, and enjoy the sound of tyranny!

Source: motivemag.com

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Fifth Gear Lamborghini Video

Ice ice baby

If you had the keys to a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 and access to an ice track, what would you do? Thought so.

Here’s a clip from series 15 of Fifth Gear with Tiff Needell at the wheel showing us how it is done. Apart from all the fun and shenanigans that Tiff gets up to, the clip also gives a great example of how modern day traction control and ESP systems work. Amazing stuff!

Almost as much fun as taking a 911 around a snow-covered Nürburgring.

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Lamborghini News

Runout of the bulls

Lamborghini OC - Stealer of the year!

Lamborghini OC in the United States was the country’s largest Lambo dealer, and counted A-list celebs among its clientele, until it closed down suddenly last November. The cause was thought to be the financial crisis, but new court documents seem to uncover the real story. Okay, so it may not be news to anyone that some car “stealers” have shady reputations. But these guys took the “stealer” label just a bit too seriously.

The cowboys at Lamborghini OC are alleged to have been knocking out deals that were too good to be true. Indeed, the deals were so good they sold over 50 cars in just 8 days. The proceeds came to around US$12M. That’s some runout sale!

There was just one problem, the cars which had been sold by the dealer were originally financed by Volkswagen Credit, and, you guessed it, they’ve not seen one cent of that $12,000,000. Understandably, they’re a bit upset with the current situation and are suing the owners of the dealership, the Keuylian family.

Turns out the Keuylians appear quite adept at not paying bills, with the East-West Bank wondering where their US$3M in loan repayments have gone. Also in their repertoire is exchanging cash for cars, whereby they take the car, but forget to pay the cash. Nice work if you can get it, I suppose. But it all catches up with you in the end, even if you are driving a Lamborghini.

The Volkswagen Credit case is scheduled for hearing on 22 January.

Source: OCregister

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Lamborghini

Telegraph.co.uk – Lamborghini legends

Lamborghini Miura

A short and sweet entry here, a collection of Lamborghini images I stumbled across at the Telegraph.co.uk website. See them now! Which one is your favourite?

The car featured above—the Lamborghini Miura—is one of the most stunning sports car designs of all time. Just 746 Miuras were made between 1966 and 1972. Powered by a V12, of course, the Miura weighed in at around 980 kilograms. The Miura’s V12 was revised over the years, but at first release was producing almost 260kW (345bhp). Despite a retro 40th anniversary concept in 2006, they just don’t make cars like this any more. Although, that’s not always a bad thing, haha!