Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 review

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Lamborghini Gallardo 5.2 V10 LP550-2 First Drive

Test date 28 July 2009 Price as tested £146,988

: The car is named after Lamborghini's former test driver, Valentino Balboni

What is it?

The new limited edition rear-wheel drive Gallardo now driven in the UK.

The back story is probably well known by now – as a retirement present for its legendary test driver Valentino Balboni, Lamborghini is producing a limited run of 250 Gallardos in Balboni’s ideal specification – apparently manual and rear wheel drive.

While that sounds like an extremely appealing proposition, the question is, does it work on the road and how different does it feel to the regular all-wheel drive Gallardo?

See the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 on video

What’s it like?

Excellent. To start with, at slow speeds the LP550-2 feels lighter and more agile, especially the steering, which without the mechanicals and weight of the front drive, is lighter and more textured.

Not that we could ever describe the regular Gallardo as cumbersome, but at times you do have to be quite deliberate with your steering inputs, where as in the Balboni these come naturally, making the car feel less of a handful and more sprightly.

Another difference immediately obvious is the positive effect the 2wd drive transformation has had on the transmission.

Although it is possible to specify the LP550-2 with E-gear, the car we tried had a manual box, and was all the better for it. Losing the front differential having made the shift smoother and clutch action lighter.

On the track, the Balboni is, as you would expect, less foolproof than the regular LP560-4, but neither is it a complete handful. There is good front-end bite, and clear communication through the steering of the grip avialble. And when you do exceed the limit of adhesion (not difficult with 542bhp) the break away is progressive and nicely balanced.

While this is the most Ferrari like of any recent Lamborghini there is still a noticeable difference between this and the 430 Scuderia. The Ferrari is more technical and pointy, its forte entry speed and traction management, the Balboni more honest and forgiving, offering a more old fashioned take on chassis balance.

So it works at slow speeds and works on the track, but the best news is that the LP550-2 is a fantastic road car too.

Despite the slightly reduced power output (the 4wd Gallardo has 552bhp) the lighter Balboni feels every bit as fast, if not quicker. Ok, the ride is firm, especially at town speeds, but on B-roads it is supple enough and the body control first-rate.

And as a result of the improved steering and keener turn-in, it is more accurate, and with the power directed exclusively to the rear wheels, more adjustable on the throttle.

As a result, even at moderate speeds the Balboni is more exciting and satisfying than the regular car, without being significantly more demanding or intimidating.

With plenty of grip and sufficiently quick-witted electronics, you’re unlikely to get into serious trouble unless you deliberately go looking for it.

Should I buy one?

That depends on your personal preference.

The regular all-wheel drive Gallardo feels more planted and offers extraordinary all weather acceleration, and for some that will make it the preferred choice.

For others, and us included, the combination of more feelsome manageable controls, better balance and greater exhilaration make the Balboni the more appealing prospect.

While currently the rear drive Gallardo is limited to the 250 Balbonis, we suspect that having set the precedent with this car, we’ll see more rear-driven Lambos in the future. Which can be no bad thing.