2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 First Drive Video

By Edmunds Video Productions | Published September 25, 2009

2:45 min

2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Come on, admit it. Whether you like its radical looks or not, the 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 coupe is just one of those cars that makes you wish you were rich. All-new for 2009, the Gallardo LP560-4 replaces the old Gallardo Coupe. And all those numbers and letters do mean something: The LP stands for Longitudinale Posteriore, Italian for �the engine is in the back, mounted long ways.� The 560 comes from the Italian horsepower rating in CV or Cavalli Vapore, which means �steam horses.� This translates to an American rating of 552 horsepower, 40 more than last year's coupe. The 4 refers to Lambo's Viscous Traction all-wheel drive system. A viscous-type center differential divides the torque: 30 percent to the front wheels and 70 percent in the rear. This makes for more of a rear-wheel drive feel, but with all-wheel drive grip. Getting back to that lustworthy engine: This new 90-degree, 5.2-liter direct-injected V10 not only makes more horses, it gets a bump in torque, too -- the 2009 model maxes out at 398 lb-ft, up from 376 lb-ft from the old engine. Combined with a reworked, six-speed automated manual transmission, Lambo says the new Gallardo can blast from 0 to 62 miles per hour in only 3.7 seconds. The new powertrain is a lot more efficient, too � the new Gallardo boasts an impressive 18-percent increase in fuel economy. Inside, the Gallardo LP560-4 is filled with lots of leather trim. And the power adjustable seats, navigation system, and climate control � with some parts borrowed from the Audi R8 � lend a touch of luxury to this speed demon. Just like all dream cars, the 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 comes at a hefty price. Those select few who make it past the 9-month minimum wait will have to shell out more than $212,000, including a $2,600 gas-guzzler tax. Still, the new Gallardo isn't just for posers. It has the mechanical chops to keep up with the best of them -- even if it still comes across as a fashion accessory for the filthy rich.