For all the hype surrounding the new Aventador LP 700-4, you might have forgotten that Lamborghini still builds the Gallardo supercar. There is now yet another variant of the Gallardo, baptized LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale and unveiled to the public at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The car’s suffix succinctly explains its purpose: Super Trofeo refers to the one-make European racing series featuring the Lamborghini Gallardo, while Stradale is Italian for road. This car, then, is a road-going Gallardo inspired by the Super Trofeo race cars.
Lamborghini says the 5.2-liter V-10 seen in this road car is almost identical to that used in the racer. It produces 562 hp at 8000 rpm and 398 lb-ft of torque at 6500 rpm. A six-speed e-gear automated manual transmission is standard, as is the Gallardo’s all-wheel-drive system. The transmission’s “Thrust Mode” raises engine revs to 5000 rpm for rapid standing-start launches. As to performance benchmarks, Lamborghini claims the Super Trofeo Stradale will reach 62 mph in 3.4 seconds, 124 mph in 10.4 seconds, and accomplish a top speed of 198.8 mph.
Outside is a body heavily inspired by the Super Trofeo racing cars. The Super Trofeo Stradale comes standard in a new Rosso Mars red paint that pays homage to early Italian race cars; Grigio Telese (gray) and Bianco Monocerus (white) are also available. The rear wing, engine cover, and front air intakes are all a contrasting matte black. The large carbon-fiber rear wing is identical to that of the race car, and produces three times more downforce than the spoiler on the regular Gallardo LP 560-4. Polished carbon fiber is employed for the side skirts, rear diffuser, mirror housings, and engine cover; the latter is fully removable thanks to special quick-release clamps.
Red and black dominate the Lamborghini’s cabin, with Rosso Mars-colored Alcantara used for the lower dashboard and seats, and black Alcantara covering the dash top and center console. The door panels, seats, and center console are made from carbon fiber as standard. Optionally, the parking-brake lever, door handles, glove-box handle, and other interior trim can be made from the lightweight material.
Using so much lightweight carbon fiber means the Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale weighs just 2954 pounds, a claimed 154 pounds lighter than the Gallardo LP 560-4. The lightweight, gloss-black 19-inch wheels apparently shave 28.6 pounds versus those on a standard Gallardo, and even the wheel bearings and bolts are made from titanium to shave a few more grams.
In keeping with its race-car roots, the Super Trofeo Stradale wears sticky Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires and massive brake discs measuring 14.4 inches front, 14.0 inches rear. Upgrading to carbon-ceramic brakes bumps up front disc diameter to 15.0 inches.
Buyers selecting options for the Lamborghini can go either for racy or convenient add-ons. The list includes a roll cage, four-point safety harnesses, and a fire extinguisher, as well as creature comforts like a navigation system, Bluetooth phone connection, security alarm, and a system to raise the front suspension for traversing driveways or speed bumps.
If this car sounds familiar, it’s because Lamborghini used essentially the same formula to craft the Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera and the Gallardo LP 570-4 Blancpain Edition. The three cars employ the same weight-saving strategy and 5.2-liter V-10, albeit with different visual designs. Even so, the Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale will be seriously special: Lamborghini plans to build just 150 copies.