2008 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

2008 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
2008 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

2008 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
2008 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

First seen at this year's Geneva Auto Show, the Gallaro LP560-4 was on the Lambo stand at the 2008 New York Auto Show. It represents the first serious update of Lamborghini's "entry-level" sports car.

Introduced in 2003, the littlest Lambo comprises half of the Italian sports car maker's lineup. Sporting a ten-cylinder engine, the Gallardo is positioned below the mighty 12-cylinder Murciélago in Lamborghini's lineup. In LP560-4 trim, Gallardo should play a strong second fiddle.

CG Says...
What's a Murciélago for? The latest Gallardo is crazy fast and should cost about $100,000 less. That's the jet-set equivalent of coupon clipping.

Essentially a replacement of the "base" car, LP560s will be the only 2008 Gallardos offered.

Part of the update includes a V10 displacement bump from 5.0-liters to 5.2. The enlarged engine is good for a quoted 552 horsepower, an increase of nearly 40. Lamborghini claims the LP560 will reach 60 mph from a stop in less than four seconds, and see a top speed of just over 200 mph.

Also updated for 2008 is the Gallardo's suspension, which Lamborghini says provides both better handling and a more compliant ride. Freshened front- and rear styling rounds out the package.

The rakish sports car will again be available in coupe and convertible "Spyder" body styles. U.S. sales should begin this spring. A formal pricing announcement is pending, but expect coupes to start around $200,000.