Modified Luxury & Exotics

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Come along for the ride with Modified Luxury & Exotics as we showcase, test and review the hottest cars on the planet. Our video database also includes videos from the tuners themselves, with plenty of action and roaring exhaust notes. MLE's feature video section lets you experience the cars of MLE in a new dimension.

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VIDEO FEATURE: ON THE ROAD: LAMBO LP560-4

Another video from our friends at ExoticsRally. A new car joins the usual suspects from New York as they stretch the legs of their exotics. Behold, the Lambo LP560-4.

If you’re an exotic car owner in the New York area, visit exoticsrally.com to meet some like-minded souls and find out about the next ExoticsRally meet.

We at MLE had the chance to drive the LP560 in Las Vegas recently. We were even able to really test its capabilities at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. See writer Dustin Woods’ review below:

LAMBO’S SUCESSFUL SEQUEL 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 The LP560-4 proves that not all sequels have to be as disappointing as The Next Karate Kid or The Godfather Part III. Story Dustin A. Woods \| Photos Lamborghini Rarely, if ever, does the sequel to a successful motion picture outshine the original on the big screen. The Matrix Reloaded, Jurassic Park: The Lost World and American Pie 2 all come to mind immediately. Despite decades of silver screen history lessons, studios somehow become fixed on attempting to re-create the box office magic of an brilliant film by churning out a poorly written script that wouldn’t make it past a studio execs garbage bin had the original never existed. At the 2003 auto show in Geneva, Lamborghini unveiled their biggest blockbuster success story to an adoring audience with the first generation Gallardo. The ‘entry-level’ Lamborghini was a bold step for the exclusive super sports car maker. By attempting to increase production and sales of a more inexpensive Murciélago alternative, the company not only risked reducing the exclusivity of the brand, but it could have decreased demand for their flagship model. Another exclusive Italian automaker did just that in the 1980’s with dismal results. Five years and over 7,100 Gallardos later, Lamborghini proved that expanding their product line-up did two things: first, to sell a lot more cars and second, to transform the once struggling company into one of the most profitable automotive brands in the world. A SUCCESSFUL SEQUEL Anticipation for the updated model, not to mention a great deal of anxiety on the part of Gallardo fanatics, has been considerable as the current Gallardo takes its final bow this calendar year. Could it be significantly better than the original without outshining the LP640, they asked? Could it possibly draw on the styling of the previous Gallardo while still appearing fresh and innovative? I am happy to report that the answers to these two questions are a resounding and unequivocal yes. Having the opportunity to track test the preceding Gallardo earlier this year, I felt I had a suitable basis of comparison to judge the new model – particularly as the plan was to spend several hours with the cars on the racetrack. The moment I slid into the cockpit of the Gallardo successor, I could tell that things had changed. The new interior isn’t significantly different, but dissimilar enough and a nice improvement to boot. For me, one of the unparalleled highlights of any exotic supercar is the sound - and when firing up the LP560-4 my ears were greeted with exactly what I wanted. LIGHTER, MORE POWERFUL & MORE EFFICIENT So what makes the new Gallardo, new? Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini’s Director of Research and Development summed up some of the improvements during a dinner discussion by saying, “Weight has been reduced, power increased and emissions lowered.” The figures are impressive indeed as they not only exceed those of the previous generation Gallardo but also come close to competing with the Superleggera. The LP560 weighs 44 lbs less than the preceding Gallardo while gaining 40 hp and 22 ft-lbs of torque while expelling 18 percent less emissions. According to Reggiani, the latter was the most difficult. This was accomplished thanks to the Pirelli tires that boast a decreased rolling resistance, the abovementioned weight savings and a 31 percent aerodynamic efficiency over the outgoing model. The most important factor, however, is the fact that the new LP560’s V10 engine makes use of direct injection. MORE JAGGED LAMBO CHARACTER As for those aerodynamic improvements, they aren’t had to notice at all. The Reventon-like styling for the front bumper that gives the blocky but smooth overall lines of the Gallardo a bit more of the typical jagged Lambo character. The new front end really helps to make the LP appear much more flamboyantly exotic while the rear of the car, arguably its best angle, is softer and more subtle. MATCHING THE COMPETITION Other improvements include revamped variable valve timing, a more linear torque curve and entirely refigured suspension geometry in order to achieve improved handing and comfort. The results of these improvements and others contribute to Reggiani’s proclamation that the new LP560-4 is, “At least twice as good as the Ferrari F430 Scuderia.” Personally, I feel this might just be a wee bit of embellishment. Not long ago I had the opportunity to compare the outgoing Gallardo and the Ferrari F430 back to back at Moroso Motorsports Park and chose the F430 as the winner. My gripes about the Lamborghini included the fact that the gear transitions were too abrupt in addition to the braking and handling being much more brutish and uncivilized than the F430. Well, I won’t be so arrogant as to assume the folks over at Lambo’s R&D facility read my story, but I mustn’t have been alone in my impressions since none of the aforementioned shortcomings appear to be present in the latest LP. Needless to say, I think another head to head comparison is in order and I have a feeling the results will be much closer than before. EASY TO DRIVE, FAST OR SLOW Although purists are free to disagree, the beauty of the new Gallardo is that it is amazingly easy to drive. While remaining a true exotic in styling and performance, not to mention price, it manages to also be incredibly accessible for the pilot. As I threw the car into turns both tight and wide, I could feel the ESP system giving me a nudge, instead of the smack in the head that some systems offer. The 30/70 traction split between the front and rear wheels means that the grip is incredible, but with 560 horses sitting behind you it isn’t difficult to wind up in trouble. MUCH FASTER SHIFT TIMES My LP 560-4 tester was equipped with E-gear (as will 90 percent of those produced), which made gear changes on the track blindingly fast. Whether I was winding up the eager V10 as I rifled through the gears on the back straight or being enchanted by rev-matching roars as I aggressively downshifted, I became more impressed by the system the longer I drove it. Faithful MLE readers will surely be familiar with my usual disdain for paddle shifters and acknowledge how significant this truly is. The reason for my change of attitude is due to Lamborghini redesigning their E-gear system making it lighter and with improved shift times of 40 percent in Corsa mode. Drivers have the choice of five modes in total that range from Normal to Corsa with the choice to manual or automatic providing a truly unique and precise driving experience. The additional “Thrust Mode” (Lambo’s version of launch control), offers maximum acceleration through all six gears if the driver chooses to take the time to meticulously engage it. My tester was also equipped with the Carbon ceramic brakes - a $10,000 option. If you don’t plan on tracking your Gallardo, I would probably stick with the stock brakes. The CCBs actually work better the hotter they get and are unlikely reach their ideal operating temperature on the street. Those who do opt for the CCB upgrade, however, will be treated to eye-popping deceleration that could only be enhanced by throwing out an anchor. LP560 SUPERLEGGERA? Company executives would not officially comment on what the future will hold or what other new models will be offered. That being said, Lamborghini Automobili’s President and CEO Stephen Winkelmann commented during a press conference that, “If you know the past, you can imagine the future,” when asked about the possibility of Roadster or Superleggera versions of the Gallardo LP560-4. If you read into that the same why I do, you can rest assured that this sequel is simply the beginning of a successful franchise. THE VERDICT After spending a significant portion of the day piloting the LP560-4 around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, as well as through the winding roads of the desert, I can say without doubt that Lamborghini has managed to recapture the magic of the past while making advancements towards the future. When it comes to sequels, the LP560 can best be compared to Terminator 2. Even if you weren’t a big fan of the original, you certainly won’t want to miss this! + Superior shift timing More precise, agile handling Improved overall refinement - Large blindspots Excessive wind oscillation in cabin with windows down Operation of Thrust Mode overly complicated SPECIFICATIONS & DETAILS '09 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO LP560-4 ENGINE 5.2-liter V-10 DRIVETRAIN Six-speed manual transmission, mid-rear mounted engine, permanent four-wheel drive with 30/70 split viscous traction system WHEELS, TIRES & BRAKES (f) 8.5x19” aluminum alloy wheels with 235/35/19 Pirelli PZero tires; 14-inch ventilated discs with eight-piston calipers; (r) 11x19” aluminum alloy wheels with 295/30/19 Pirelli PZero tires; 14-inch ventilated discs with four-piston calipers SUSPENSION Double wishbone suspension front and rear with anti-roll bars INTERIOR Leather, Alcantara and carbon fiber with an array or colors and stitching options available EXTERIOR Aluminum body with thermoplastic parts, electronically controlled rear spoiler and mirrors OPTIONAL EXTRAS Carbon Ceramic, Sequential E-gear system with steering wheel mounted paddles, Ad Personam personalization packages NUMBERS Horsepower: 552 hp at 8000 rpm Torque: 398 ft-lbs at 6500 rpm Zero-62 mph: 3.7 sec. Zero-124 mph: 11.8 sec. Top speed: 202 mph Compression Ratio: 12.5:1 Wheelbase: 100.7-inches Length: 171-inches Width: 74.8-inches Height: 45.9-inches Curb Weight: 3,307 lbs Weight distribution: 43/57

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