Skip advert
Advertisement

Lamborghini Gallardo

German engineering pushes the Italian thoroughbred to new heights

Pros
  • Supercar looks, build quality, practicality, musical engine
Cons
  • Erm... High ownership costs?

The first Lamborghini totally conceived under VW Group ownership, the Gallardo signalled the rebirth of the brand. And you have to hand it to VW, because – just as it did with Bentley – it has managed to merge German engineering excellence with the traditional skills and values of a revered car maker.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Placed under Audi’s guidance, Lamborghini has gone from strength to strength, helped in part by the Ingolstadt firm’s technical knowledge. The Gallardo features an aluminium bodyshell and spaceframe chassis, but you only have to look at it to know it stays true to the Italian company’s history of producing jaw-dropping machinery.

With its blade-like front lights and angular lines, it looks squat, aggressive and every inch the supercar. Yet it hasn’t remained totally
unaltered – an array of small modifications seen in the limited-edition SE version were incorporated into the standard model last year.

The cabin was largely unaltered, although just sitting in the Gallardo remains an experience to behold. You are low-down, with the windscreen stretching away from you and the dash wrapped around. Audi has waved its magic wand over the interior, so Lamborghini’s reputation for shoddy fit and finish is long forgotten.

The footwell is narrow, but there are only two pedals, so it’s not a tight squeeze, and the paddles for the E-gear sequential gearbox are well placed behind the wheel. There’s a wide range of steering adjustment, and the driving position is comfortable. You do find yourself adopting a more laid-back angle than normal, but the cabin is every bit as user-friendly as the 911’s – although with only a small boot in the nose, the Gallardo isn’t practical.

Turn the key, and such a trivial issue is soon forgotten. Simply firing-up the engine is something to savour – the starter spins frantically for a second before the 5.0-litre V10 comes to life. And once on the move, the Lamborghini feels urgent and eager. A sharp throttle response and quick paddleshifts mean acceleration feels akin to the 911’s, while the engine’s soundtrack is more enjoyable.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

X5

2023 BMW

X5

32,009 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L

Cash £46,990
View X5
Focus

2014 Ford

Focus

78,100 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £3,950
View Focus
1 Series

2014 BMW

1 Series

77,700 milesManualPetrol1.6L

Cash £4,850
View 1 Series
3 Series

2022 BMW

3 Series

40,064 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £18,700
View 3 Series

As our figures show, the Turbo has a narrow edge over the Gallardo in every one of our speed tests. But with a 30-70mph time of 3.4 seconds and the ability to hit 100mph from a standstill in nine seconds flat, the Lamborghini still offers serious performance. The handling is equally praiseworthy, and whether over bumpy roads or a smooth race track, it always seems impressively composed.

Tipping the scales at only 1,570kg – 15kg less than the Turbo – the Lamborghini feels lighter and more agile, thanks to its mid-engined layout. And while the steering isn’t as nicely weighted as the Porsche’s, it has a positive turn-in, and the car remains flat and stable in corners.

On the test track, the Gallardo changes direction better than the Turbo at high speed, while traction is impressive, too. With the stability control turned off, the Lamborghini will oversteer when provoked, and as with the 911 it takes quick reactions to control, but its behaviour on the limit is far removed from the fearsome dynamics you might expect from an Italian supercar. In fact, in many circumstances it’s friendlier to drive than the Porsche – which is a real surprise.

And that’s the beauty of the Gallardo. It retains the unique look and special feel of a Lamborghini, but comes across as a car that could be used every day, thanks to its capable road manners, compact dimensions and immaculate build quality.

Details

Price: £125,000
Model tested: Lamborghini Gallardo
Chart position: 1
WHY: Lamborghini’s entry-level model, the updated Gallardoalso comes equipped with 4WD

Economy

While the Gallardo has a big 90-litre tank, in normal driving it won’t travel any further than the Porsche on a tankful. Both have a 295-mile range, the Lambo returning 14.9mpg.

Servicing

The Gallardo’s second service is more expensive than the Porsche’s first three put together. It has to be seen every 7,500 miles – and there are only five UK service centres.

Tax

Even though the Lambo emits more CO2 than the 911, as both are in the top tax bracket, it’s the Gallardo’s higher price that brings the eye-watering £17,500 tax bill.

Insurance

Exclusivity and high repair costs count against the Lambo here. The £3,823 quote is £1,494 more than the 911’s, but it’s unlikely to trouble those who can afford the car.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,575Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £7,850
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £3,970 off RRP*Used from £8,795
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £7,778 off RRP*Used from £11,890
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £4,647 off RRP*Used from £10,495
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k
Geely EX5 - front

New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k

This new electric SUV is coming soon to the UK from Volvo and Lotus parent company, Geely
News
15 Sep 2025
Nissan Qashqai to finally go electric, but hybrid model will remain
Nissan Qashqai electric render Avarvarii - front 3/4

Nissan Qashqai to finally go electric, but hybrid model will remain

There will be an overlap of powertrains for the big-selling SUV
News
15 Sep 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month
Polestar 4 - cornering, low shot

Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month

Fancy something smart and sophisticated? You won’t look back with the Polestar 4. It’s our Deal of the Day for September 13
News
13 Sep 2025