Driver Review
Lamborghini. LP560-4. This seems to be pretty much the ultimate supercar for some people. And this one, almost brand new, in gleaming white - a real "poster car" - has been the car we've had most comments about while it sat on the drive, poised waiting to devour miles of tarmac.
I'd had a couple of varying experiences with Lamborghinis before - a burnt-out clutch in a Gallardo soft-top, stalling at every traffic light in a Murciélago (MOST embarrassing), but this one was something quite special. The lines of the coupé hard-top. The menacing angular looks. The V10 powerplant exposed by the glass cover. The huge dual twin exhausts. And then, the aggressive bark as you turn the ignition. Quite an experience.
At that point, for a moment, things go a bit surreal - the exhaust valves close, and the bark turns back to a purr. From the inside, as you pull away at low revs, there is the distinct sound of sewing machine (reminiscent of the Porsche Cayman S at low speed). You can actually drive the Gallardo at this noise level just like you'd drive a town runabout car - actually far less conspicuously audio-wise than most other supercars (although the looks prevent any form of subtlety in reality) - but just squeeze the right pedal a little bit more and everything changes. The valves open, the noise erupts and the surge of 560 bhp propels you virtually into hyperspace. From inside, the noise isn't quite as frightening as it is in the Gallardo Spyders, because there is obviously some car between you and that V10, but the intensity of the acceleration is out-of-this-world. Even with the extra power (560 compared to 510 bhp), I found I was more confident with this than with the Spyders - maybe because the car felt more assured on the road with the tauter chassis, maybe because I felt more enclosed because of the hard-top, or maybe just because I've now had much more experience with multiple-hundred-horsepower cars since we first experienced these Italian machines! The handling is fairly spectacular - the car holds the road really well, although in sport mode you have to be a little bit careful - even a gear-change on a slight curve can induce a slight twitch of the rear-end. Compared to another 500+ bhp car, the Aston Martin DBS, I would say I prefer the handling of the DBS - it is more lively, sliding at the merest hint of provocation, but gives you more of a feeling of being in control.
Driving round an open stretch of motorway at 70 mph with this car really just idling, nowhere near its power band, I came to the conclusion that this car wasn't really built for British roads and British driving laws. This car needs an unrestricted Autobahn or a track - although a stretch of twisty but good visibility country road is a good place to exercise at least some of this car's ability.
So is this the perfect supercar? Well not quite actually, despite its fantastic looks. The paddle-shift gearbox is smooth but still slightly detaches the driver from the powertrain, particularly on the way down through the gears - if you get it right you get a pleasing automatic blip on the throttle, but often it isn't as satisfying as you would want it to be. Inside, the car is well-finished, but still feels more like an Audi (except for the Italian wording on the dials) than an exotic supercar - the Ferraris and Astons seem to do better there. But there are minor quibbles - if you want complete lack-of-sublety as you drive past, and incredible, unreal acceleration, then this could be the ultimate supercar for you.
Paul Williams
DRIVER RATINGS: Exterior: 10/10 Interior: 9/10 Cool Factor: 10/10 Driveability: 10/10 Fear Factor: 4/10 TOTAL: 35 (Fear Factor Scores are subtracted)
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Passenger Review
There is only one word to summarise this car. MAD! The whole car is just absolutely bonkers! The aggressive looks of the car definitely distinguishes it from the original Gallardo but it hasn’t lost any of the madness, it’s gained some! The power has been upped from 513 to 560bhp and the noise all those horses make is incredible. It screams down the road and to add to the experience, when you accelerate it feels like you’re being head-butted by an angry rhinoceros! Whilst stationary you can appreciate the cars looks. The interior is well made with comfortable seats and with luxuries such as sat-nav and electric seats. I definitely think that this is a car that you have to experience once in your lifetime.
Ryan Williams
PASSENGER RATINGS: Exterior: 9/10 Interior: 7/10 Cool Factor: 9/10 Passenger Experience: 9/10 Fear Factor: 6/10 TOTAL: 28 (Fear Factor Scores are subtracted)
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