An iconic Italian sports car comes to an end.
For years, Lamborghini sat in the shadows of its rival, Ferrari. The Italian automaker was producing only about 250 cars per year during its first 40 years. After some ownership drama, the brand changed hands and eventually ended up under German control. But, this proved to be a good thing for automotive enthusiasts as it revitalized the brand with the Murciélago and the incredibly successful Gallardo.
The Murciélago may have been the flagship car for the revitalized brand, but it was the Gallardo that proved to be the real home run. The 250 units-per-year production numbers suddenly skyrocketed and the brand began to pump out about 2,000 cars every 12 months.
The Lamborghini Gallardo was a technologically-advanced, more-livable supercar from the Italian automaker. It had a potent naturally-aspirated V-10, lightweight aluminum space frame, and e-gear robotized sequential gearbox, paired up with all-wheel drive.
The story of success began in 2003 during Lamborghini’s 40th anniversary at the Geneva Motor Show. The new model was introduced with its array of exciting features that unleashed a bull in the automotive world. The new supercar sold like crazy compared to the cars that the company was producing throughout its history. In 2008, a second-generation was unveiled that did a bit more than update the supercar and put it at the forefront of its segment. The success of the Gallardo helped spawn a large number of model variants ranging from the topless Spyder to the LP 570-4 Superleggera, LP 570-4 Spyder Performante, Valentino Balboni limited edition, Super Trofeo Stradale, and the Gallardo Squadra Corse.
In all, a total of 32 different variants were produced. Lamborghini even started a one-make racing series called the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo, using the Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo as its centerpiece. Even the Italian State Police employed a Gallardo for high-speed chases.
The importance of the Lamborghini Gallardo cannot be downplayed. Volkswagen’s ownership may have saved the brand from the brink, but it was the Gallardo that brought in the revenue. Since the company was founded in 1963, it has produced about 30,000 cars – 14,022 of which were Gallardos. It was a supercar that did more than go fast on the road. It helped save a brand, create jobs, and allow a company to create new technology for the entire automotive industry.
The last Lamborghini Gallardo rolled off the production line in Sant’Agata Bolognese. It is a Gallardo LP 570-4 in Rosso Mars and was sold to a private collector. It marks the end of a ten-year run for a car that changed a brand.
Source: Lamborghini
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