The Mechanics Behind the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

Consumer Guide's Take on the 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

The baby bull sheds weight and gains power, stepping into the lightweight arena to face off against Ferrari.

Everything We Know About the 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

The Lamborghini Gallardo made its debut in 2003 as the newest entry-level offering from the Italian supercar maker, a part of Germany's Audi since 1998. The Gallardo Spider convertible followed in 2006. Both models feature a mid-mounted V-10 engine and all-wheel drive. Now, for late 2007, the Gallardo Superleggera—meaning 'superlight' in Italian—arrives as a performance-focused coupe.

To boost performance, the 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera sheds as much weight as possible compared to the standard coupe. While it maintains the same aluminum 'spaceframe' construction, several body panels are replaced with carbon fiber, including the front hood, rear engine cover, side skirts, rear air diffuser beneath the exhaust outlets, door-mirror housings, and the underbody tray. The car's rear wing is redesigned, and a larger, fixed-height carbon-fiber spoiler is available for $5850. Polycarbonate windows replace glass, and the engine cover features a plastic window, similar to the Ferrari F430, the Gallardo's main rival.

Carbon fiber is also used for the center console, seat shells, and interior door panels. Alcantara, a suede-like material, replaces leather on the dashboard and heavily bolstered sport seats, with stitching that matches the exterior color. The interior loses 12 pounds of sound insulation, and the audio system is now optional. However, climate control and power windows remain standard, as Lamborghini notes that customers still demand them. The car also retains seat-mounted side airbags as standard. Superleggera-specific features include custom instrumentation, multi-spoke Speedline wheels (19 inches in diameter), and dark accents on the headlamps, front air intakes, and exhaust pipes.

The 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera receives a 'Jenny Craig' slimming treatment, bringing its curb weight to just under 3000 pounds in U.S. trim, a 150-pound reduction compared to the standard coupe. This weight loss is paired with a boost in power, as the Gallardo's quad-cam V-10 engine now produces 530 horsepower—an increase of 10 horsepower—thanks to a new lightweight exhaust system, a more efficient intake manifold, and remapped engine electronics. The suspension retains its all-around double wishbones and coil springs, but these components are retuned to accommodate the reduced weight. While the brakes remain unchanged, optional carbon-ceramic discs are available for $15,600.

The Gallardo's all-wheel drive system has been further refined with a new propshaft to the front wheels, along with new front driveshafts. Lamborghini's 'e-gear' six-speed sequential manual transmission, which was previously an option on standard Gallardos, is now standard for the Superleggera. A traditional six-speed manual transmission is available for an additional $700, reflecting the lower EPA-rated mileage, which triggers the federal gas guzzler tax.

While we don't have official mpg numbers yet, factory performance stats show only modest improvements over the standard model. For instance, the 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera completes the 0-60 mph sprint just 0.2 seconds faster, with a claimed time of 3.8 seconds. The top speed remains the same at 195 mph, constrained by aerodynamic drag.

With such a small increase in acceleration and a louder, more stripped-down interior, you might question why Lamborghini even bothered with the Superleggera. One reason is its allure among those who crave exclusivity. This car caters to a market where buyers are willing to pay a premium for something rare. Just as crucial, the Superleggera is Lamborghini's challenge to its archrival Ferrari, which is releasing a lighter, track-focused version of its F430 this fall, the Challenge Stradale. Lastly, the reduced weight and enhanced power signal better agility, which brings both bragging rights and a response to Ferrari.

A Key Feature of the 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

The Gallardo stands as one of the few high-performance sports cars equipped with standard all-wheel drive. Thanks to Audi's influence, the system employs a viscous coupling that sends power to the front wheels, ensuring they receive some torque even at low rpm.

Advice for Purchasing the 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

If you haven't placed an order yet, be prepared for a wait. Lamborghini is only producing 350 Superleggeras for 2007, and all of them are already spoken for. However, it might be worth the wait, as a Superleggera Spider is expected to debut in the next few years.

2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera Release Date: For those keeping track, deliveries begin in July 2007.

First Test Drive: Unfortunately, we didn’t make the guest list for the U.S. media event held earlier this year in Phoenix. Pretty please, Lamborghini. Give us some seat time!

2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera Price: The base MSRP without additional options is $220,300.

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Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera Interior Photos

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Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera Exterior Images

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Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera Preliminary Specifications

Overview

Vehicle Type: premium performance-oriented sports car

Drivetrain

Drive wheels: all-wheel drive

Engine: 5.0-liter DOHC V-10 powerplant

Horsepower: 530 hp

Torque: 376 lb-ft

Transmission: six-speed sequential manual gearbox

Dimensions

Wheelbase: 100.8 inches long

Length: 169.3 inches overall

Width: 74.8 inches across

Height: 45.9 inches tall

Base curb weight: 2998 pounds

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