In the prestigious 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranking of exotic sports cars the Lamborghini Gallardo tied for second with Ferrari's 612 Scaglietti. This couple placed second to Lamborghini's Murciealago, which costs just a few dollars more than the combined price of the Gallardo and Scaglietti.A compilation of reviews, presented by all the major automotive publications, with results of test drives and their analysis of each vehicle in the competition is the basis for U.S. News' ranking system.
The Gallardo was debuted in 2003 and, with nearly 10,000 units sold in its various configurations, is Lamborghini's most produced vehicle. Its $ 198,000 price places it in the "affordable" range of many when compared to the $ 500,000 price of other top name sports cars.
This production number is made more remarkable when consideration is given to the fact that the 2005 SE model was limited to only 250 units and 185 units was the limit for the 2006 Nera Gallardo.
Gallardo, named as is the Lamborgini custom, for a famous Spanish fighting bull, is an all wheel drive sports car with the exception of the rear wheel drive 2009 Valentino Balboni model.
Power variations, according to model and year, are a 5.0 liter to 5.7 liter V10 engine mounted in the popular mid-chassis position. Horsepower available is from 493hp @ 7800 rpm in the 5.0 liter to 562 hp @8000 rpm in the 5.7 liter, found in the Superleggera model.
Top speed for the 3400 lb car is 192 mph with a 0-62 mph (100km/hr) time of 4.2 seconds in the 5.0 liter and 202 mph with a blistering 3.4-second 0-62 mph time for the 5.7 liter.
Transfer of horsepower to the wheels is by a 6 speed manual transmission or a 6 speed electrohydraulic, paddle controlled, system that enables gear changes much quicker than the manual system.
A super option choice with some electrohydraulic systems is the "thrust mode." From a full stop position the driver can, with the flip of a switch, engage the thrust system, which raises engine rpm's to 5000 and, when the driver steps on the accelerator, "launches" the car in a nail you to the seat, four wheel smoking, and maximum acceleration start.
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