Frankfurt: Lamborghini preview night

By Jack Rix

September 2011

Talk about an explosive entrance! Lamborghini revealed its newcomer for the Frankfurt Motor Show with flame-throwers and showers of sparks at the VW preview evening. But the drama was warranted, as the car on display was a fitting farewell to the ageing Gallardo.

Called the Super Trofeo Stradale, it's based on the race car that competes in the one-make Blancplain Super Trofeo series – and pushes the Gallardo's capabilities to the limit. It is 70kg lighter thanks to a carbon fibre engine cover, bonnet, diffuser and lightweight wheels, and the wild rear wing is lifted directly from the race car.

The engine is the same too – a 5.2-litre V10 kicking out 562bhp and hooked up to the semi-auto E-Gear transmission. The 0-62mph sprint is covered in 3.4 seconds, while the top speed is 198mph.