2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder

Back in 2009, Lamborghini unveiled the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni - a 550 HP special edition limited to only 250 units. This model was only offered in a coupe version, but at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Lamborghini has brought out a Spyder version to offer a "stunning level of open-air driving fun that can come only from a super sports car with a folding roof and an unbelievably agile and spontaneous handling." The new roadster model has dropped the "Valentino Balboni" name and is simply called the "Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder."

"With the Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder, they are expanding the Lamborghini lineup with a purist model that adds yet another dimension of driving fun. This will appeal in particular to a very special group of customers that enjoy a spirited driving style and also like to experience the sheer pleasure of open-air driving," says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. "This special model with rear-wheel drive is a logical expansion of our lineup of spyder models with all-wheel drive."

Just like the coupe model, the Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder uses a 5.2-liter V10 engine that delivers a total of 542 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. With a total weight of 3,351 lbs, the roadster will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds on its way up to a top speed of 198 mph.

UPDATE 01/17/2012: Lamborghini has announced that the new Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder will go on sale this March at a starting price of $209,000, excluding the $2,995 delivery and gas-guzzler charge

Exterior and Interior The name for Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder says a lot about the car on its own; LP stands for Longitudinale/Posteriore, for the mid-engine built longitudinally in front of the rear axle. The 550 refers to the power output and the 2 stands for the drive to the rear wheels. At Lamborghini, the word "spyder" means the ultimate synthesis of a fascinating, powerfully expressive super sports car design, the ultimate open-air thrill and sheer pleasure for all the senses. So what does this sports car have that the other didn’t, besides the open top design and the changes from AWD to RWD? The LP550-2 has been further optimized to deliver the best ever aerodynamics figures for fun and safe driving with the use of a specific dampers setting, adapted aerodynamics to make up for the change in the distribution of forces, a 45-percent locking differential, and the adoption of the e-gear transmission. It also features "a fine adaptation of the ESP stability control system." These changes only affect the change in power distribution, so the Gallardo still maintains all of the characteristics of its chassis, such as body-roll comfort and excellent directional stability at high speed. Engine The Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder will be powered by the same engine found in the coupe: a 5.2-liter V10 engine that delivers a total of 550 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a newly adopted e-gear transmission. Together, this setup sprints the 3,351 lb Gallardo from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 198 mph. Top speed fun can be had with the soft top open or closed. Prices The Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder will go on sale in March 2012 at a starting price of $209,000, excluding the $2,995 delivery and gas-guzzler charge. Competition The new Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder takes on models like theFerrari 458 Italia Spider. While the Gallardo uses a 5.2L V10 engine, the 458 Italia comes with a 4.5-liter V8 engine that produces 570 HP, a 20 HP advantage over the Lamborghini. The Ferrari also has a faster 0-62 mph time of just 3.4 seconds, but both top out at 198 mph.