It's Friday night, and we're inching down Collins Avenue, a multicylinder, multiwatt, multidollar, bumper-to-bumper convoy. In this star-spangled parade of flash, the new Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder triggers more flashed headlamps and thumbs-up signals than the inevitable flock of Maybachs, Maseratis, Ferraris, and Bentleys. This car seems to collect dates faster than George Clooney at large, which is a bit surprising when you consider that the Gallardo coupe was first released back in 2003. But in Miami's extroverted environment, being able to lower the Gallardo's canvas roof--a fully automatic, twenty-second procedure--makes all the difference.
It is difficult not to be fascinated by the sheer presence and the daring proportions of this radically angular sports car, but it is downright impossible not to be thrilled by the Gallardo's aural charm. The thunder-and-lightning show begins with a twist of the ignition key--mercifully, the Italians have spared us the mushrooming nuisance of including both a key and a starter button. Even at idle, the 7-8-5-2-1-10-9-4-6-3 firing order stimulates your eardrums. The 5.0-liter V-10 needs a chainsaw-like 8000 rpm to develop 512 hp (19 hp more than last year). The maximum torque of 376 lb-ft at 4500 rpm gives the two differentials hell; fortunately, both are limited-slip designs.... Read full article