2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni - Short Take Road Test - Car and Driver
The Gallardo’s sharply creased styling and V-10 prove irresistible to drivers who want to be both seen and heard. Spyder and coupe variants include the rear-wheel-drive LP550-2 and all-wheel-drive LP560-4. Only the rear-drive coupe offers a six-speed manual. Instrumented Test – 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni Valentino Balboni was destined to become Lamborghini’s chief test driver the moment his parents picked that name. Kids named Valentino Balboni don’t grow up to be obstetricians. The capitano , Ferruccio Lamborghini, hired Balboni in 1967 as a broom pusher for the service department. Were the big boss alive today, he’d probably dope-slap Balboni for all the fuss he’s getting, especially now that 250 special Gallardos have been built in his honor. The limited-edition LP550-2 Valentino Balboni has a 5. 2-liter V-10 making 542 horsepower (10 less than standard Gallardo LP560 s) and bears one crucial distinction: It is rear-wheel drive only. Like the Miura and like Balboni himself—who, at 61, has segued into semi-retirement as the Audi-owned company’s customer-relations ambassador—this Lambo has no problem going sideways. What with your endless begging for more minivan tests, it has taken us until now to VBox-up one of the $225,795 Balbonis (actually, this one is $247,305 with extra buttering, including $15,600 carbon-ceramic brakes and $4235 carbon-fiber... Source: www.caranddriver.com
