There’s a good reason why Lamborghini’s signature colour is yellow. It’s because such an exuberant colour works perfectly on exuberant cars – the marque’s specialty.
The Lamborghini Gallardo is a prime example, although not an arm-and-a-leg expensive one. In fact, you can now buy one for less than a new top-end BMW 5 Series.
Introduced in 2003, the Gallardo first received a mid-mounted 5.0-litre V10 with 493bhp. It sends power to all four wheels through a single-clutch automated manual for those who desire flappy paddles or a conventional six-speed manual for purists. Either way, you will be rendered positively speechless after experiencing the Gallardo’s 10-cylinder speed and sound.
You won’t mistake its noise for anything else on the road – except maybe an Audi R8. Of course, having 10 cylinders already sets it apart from most cars, but you will also find it has a deeper, angrier tone than the howling Lexus LFA and Porsche Carrera GT.
To hear its glorious symphony at full volume, you will need the droptop Spyder that arrived in 2006. That car gained an uprated engine (the coupé made the switch a year earlier), with a mighty 513bhp at its disposal.
In addition to this power upgrade, some other elements of the Gallardo were revised at the same time, including the suspension, exhaust system and steering rack. The biggest change, though, was lower ratios for the six-speed gearbox. Fast forward to 2008 and the Gallardo underwent a neargenerational transformation. Its fighter-jet design was modernised and, to match, Lamborghini put a more powerful, 5.2-litre V10 in the old 5.0-litre unit’s place. In essence, it went through Top Gun training and came out a sharper machine.
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Hhhmmm. Funny how the Lamborghini sales guy says the V10 is robust, then Autocar goes on to list a load of issues to check for.... Remember, a cheap supercar still takes full price supercar parts!
Unless you just received a six-figure EOFY bonus and money literally doesn't matter, wait a couple of years.