Balboni honored with two-wheel drive Gallardo and Aston city-car ...

[Wouter Melissen]

Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,

One of Lamborghini's living legends, Valentino Balboni, has retired from the Italian manufacturer. He was employed by the Bolognese supercar company for most of its existence and served as test-driver for over forty years. From 1973 he has driven all Lamborghini prototypes and also sampled most of the road cars as well before they were delivered to customers. Among the marque's aficionados he has achieved a cult-status. To mark the occasion of his retirement, Lamborghini have labeled the latest addition to the Gallardo line-up, the LP550-2 Valentino Balboni. It will be the first Gallardo to feature just two driven wheels. Combined with a 550 bhp V10 engine, it will make for a proper driver's car and an appropriate salute to Balboni. The production run will be limited to just 250 examples. Hinting at Balboni's early years at the company, the first 'Valentino Balboni' has be painted and upholstered in the style of the classic models. Compare for example the Gallardo's paint scheme with this Miura S.
Since its independence Aston Martin has been one of the most active manufacturers, introducing new models, racing cars and concepts almost every two months. This week the British manufacturer has launched their wildest concept yet. Wild not because it uses a 1000+ bhp engine or seats just one but because it's a supermini. Based on the universally acclaimed Toyota iQ, it is called the Cygnet Concept. The engineers have given the three-seater the Aston Martin treatment inside and out. One of the possibilities for a car like this may be to sell them in combination with the more traditional Aston Martin models as an every day city car.

Enjoy the links:

2009 Aston Martin Cygnet Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni - Images, Specifications and Information

Regards,
Wouter Melissen

[LTSmash]

RWD, my God, it's been nearly a decade.

[wwgkd]

Originally Posted by LTSmash

RWD, my God, it's been nearly a decade.

Bout time.

[Niko_Fx]

Love the weight of the car.

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by Niko_Fx

Love the weight of the car.

It's a dry weight figure. For instance the dry weight of an F430 Berlinetta is 1350kg and it's 1250kg for the Scuderia.

[Black Edition]

Originally Posted by Niko_Fx

Love the weight of the car.

it's still quite heavy though. it's a shame they reduced the power output of the engine.

[LeonOfTheDead]

simply 30 kg lighter than the AWD model is the funniest thing of the year so far.

[LTSmash]

Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead

simply 30 kg lighter than the AWD model is the funniest thing of the year so far.

You think Lamborghini could make a track friendly car... Gallardo Scuderia/RS maybe.

Oh that's right, their demographics don't know about track days.

[Niko_Fx]

It's actually 50kg less, and over 100kg less than the LP560 (at least according to UCP). Weight reduction + RWD = win imo.

[Kitdy]

Originally Posted by Niko_Fx

It's actually 50kg less, and over 100kg less than the LP560 (at least according to UCP). Weight reduction + RWD = win imo.

In the other thread, Leon claims that those are disparities caused by different kinds of weight, dry, wet, curb, whatever, and that in actuality it is only 30kg lighter.

[LeonOfTheDead]

Originally Posted by Niko_Fx

It's actually 50kg less, and over 100kg less than the LP560 (at least according to UCP). Weight reduction + RWD = win imo.

Originally Posted by Kitdy

In the other thread, Leon claims that those are disparities caused by different kinds of weight, dry, wet, curb, whatever, and that in actuality it is only 30kg lighter.

it's not me, it's them!