Lamborghini Gallardo 2009 Test Drive by Drivin’ Ivan

For 2009 the Lamborghini Gallardo’s V 10 engine has gained 40 HP to 560, thus the cars designation as 560-4.  The “4” is for all-wheel drive and although Lamborghini is now owned by Audi, this Lamborghini system is not based on the Quattro system.  The Gallardo’s all-wheel drive system allows for all of the over-steering power-slides you’d expect from the raging bull! 

Fuel consumption and emissions have been reduced in the 2009 Gallardo by 18 % thanks to  "Iniezione Diretta Stratificata", that’s direct injection to English speaking readers. You can expect anywhere from 12 to 17 mpg depending on how heavy your right foot is acting.  And believe me with 0 – 100 kph (62 mph) arriving in just 3.7 seconds and 200 kph (124 mph) in only 11.8 seconds you’ll want to enjoy it as much as possible on your way to a top speed of just over 200 mph. 

I remember automotive journalist David E. Davis speaking about how the Lamborghini Countach was quite intimidating to drive purely based on its menacing appearance and stance.  I get a similar feeling when handed the keys to the Gallardo.  After all when you are driving someone else’s $200,000 super car you are faced with quite a dilemma.  You want to experience all of the speed it has to offer, but you’d rather not put anything resembling a scratch (or worse) on its beautiful body work. 

With that in mind I hopped into the driver’s seat.  Adjustments to the seat and mirrors are all handled with luxurious automatic controls  I noticed that outward vision in the Gallardo is very good and backing up is easy thanks to the video monitor that automatically turns on when you engage reverse.  The “R” button on the left hand side of the dash next to the steering wheel engages reverse, and activates a camera to aid with backing up on the screen that shares duty with the GPS.  The steering wheel is small but feels great on the hands, and has the shape of an almost full moon with the curve at the bottom straightened to allow for more leg room. 

I started off in automatic mode to get a feel for the Gallardo.  This lets the Lambo shift for you based on your throttle input.  The e-gear transmission is all new for the 2009 Gallardo. Gear changes are 40 percent faster, and there are two other modes, “sport” and “corsa” which frees the driver from any computerized interactions… if the driver is brave enough! 

I was amazed by the speed and the smoothness of the shifting.  The Gallardo flies through the rev range in each gear and blips the throttle with every precise down-shift.  The Lamborghini has no problem pinning you back into the comfortable and supportive leather seats; these were black with beautifully stitched white piping.  The navigation system and some switches and knobs would be familiar to Audi owners as they are sourced from their parts bins.

As I became more comfortable in the Gallardo I engaged the sport mode and started to shift for myself.  The power is absolutely amazing and the Lamborghini climbs up the rev range of every gear so quickly that you find yourself surprised as you flick the lever for the next higher gear.  The new Gallardo shows that the days of having to suffer with uncomfortable driving positions, terrible outward vision, and unreliable tendencies just to own a supercar are now gone.  The 2009 Lamborghini would be a joy to drive on a weekend road trip, or to your local track day. 

Driving the Lamborghini was great fun, but I must admit that I am used to shifting gears with the traditional shifter.  Ferrari and now Lamborghini have shown that with their technology you can shift the car much faster than any human, so I guess I will have to get used to the tactile motion of shifting while steering.  The Gallardo shifts so well that it is recommended that you stay on the throttle while shifting  

The only complaint that I can even find to make about the Gallardo is the lack of Lamborghini’s trademark scissor type doors that open upwards to the sky.  I’m sure this is a cost cutting measure, and a way of keeping their top of the line Murcielago in high demand.  The Gallardo is a fantastic car, and I can certainly see why anyone who can afford the $200,000 or so asking price would gladly take the plunge.  Mine would be the baby blue spider with the darker blue top.