LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO
CONTENTS:
Designed to redefine its segment as the best high performance sports car and driving behaviour that fits its driver in every situation. The Gallardo is the synthesis of a true sports car that can be used on an every day basis.
While matching these two apparently conflicting objectives, the guideline for Lamborghini engineers has been to fulfil the necessary comfort requirements without any compromise in the performances expected of a true Lamborghini car.
The choices for engine, transmission, space frame and body, suspensions, brakes and electronics are then all in line with such an objective. The result is a compact (length 4.3 m) 2-seater high performance car (maximum speed well over 300 km/h), that can be driven with pleasure both on race tracks and on long distance journeys on country and city roads.
The layout has been conceived to reach the high performance targets, on the basis of the sports-oriented concept for which Lamborghini is well known.
The basic characteristics of such a layout are:
- mid-rear mounted engine, with the gearbox behind the engine
- permanent four-wheel drive system
- independent double wishbone suspension system
- aluminium space frame
- low centre gravity
- weight distribution 42% front, 58% rear
- two front mounted water radiators and one side mounted oil cooler
- wheelbase 2.560 m, front track 1.622 m, rear track 1.592 m
- total length 4.300 m, width 1.900 m, height 1.165
Particular attention was paid to achieve the correct weight distribution, true to Lamborghini's engineering tradition. In fact, the chosen weight distribution is the optimal for a sports car, with advantages for traction, braking and handling.
The lowering of the centre of gravity has also been a fundamental guideline, which also lead to the engineering decisions for engine and transmission layout.
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The design
The Gallardo design vision was initiated in the year 2000. The challenging and simultaneously fascinating task of our designers was to cultivate the attributes from Lamborghini and combine them in an extremely individual packaging.
Its design, based on an Italdesign-Giugiaro style proposal was developed by the Lamborghini Centro Stile to incorporate the parameters of our extreme design philosophy.
The Gallardo dimensions combined with the competitive performance targets ensure the car an athletic compactness.
The long wheelbase complemented by short overhangs dynamise its appearance.
It was clad in the typical and unique mono volume proportioning, our heritage initiated by the Countach and integrates the Lamborghini design attributes of purism, athleticism and sharpness.
The cab-forward cockpit integrated in the body by a strongly slanted front screen and tensed pillars, the complex surfacing intersected by crisp graphics and its cooling flow oriented detailing evokes as in the Lamborghini tradition in its proportions and formal language a strong aeronautical influence.
Starring blade like front light graphics, the front face is orchestrated around the dominant cooling inlets.
The scissor door cinematic has been reserved as traditional to the 12- cylinder lineage.
The foldable side mirrors slanted forward dynamising the side view are mounted on an evolutive shoulder incorporating air inlets.
The flush integration of the door handles emphasize the lateral air intakes and like all details improves the aerodynamic efficiency.
The rear lights prolonging the lines of the upper air intakes develop an aerodynamic lip present also on the rotating spoiler, combining once again function and emotion.
The wheels, a strong differencing factor in the Lamborghini history develop the traditional round holes design theme interacting them with spokes.
From the very beginning and in coherence with the defined layout, the design phase was completely integrated in the project development. Thus, a complete matching between style requirements and functional requirements has been reached, avoiding style elements without functional basis or functional parts with poor visual appearance.
To conclude, the Gallardo design in details and proportions highlights our unmistakable and uncompromising presence.
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Space frame and body
Together with the perfect definition of suspension, weight distribution, centre of gravity and aerodynamic characteristics, the achievement of high body stiffness is fundamental to obtain optimal car dynamics and driving enjoyment even on long trips.
For the Gallardo Lamborghini engineers have chosen to utilize the aluminium technology developed by AUDI, world leader in this field.
The final solution results in a structural aluminium space frame, based on aluminium-extruded parts welded to aluminium cast joint elements. On this structural frame, the exterior aluminium body parts are mounted by differentiated systems (rivets or screws or welding) depending on the function of the part. Other external 'hang-on' parts (such as the bumpers) are made of thermoplastic material and connected by bolts.
Such a solution has achieved a very good torsional stiffness (over 23,000 Nm/°), with an optimal stiffness/weight ratio and also with excellent energy-absorption capabilities during the crash tests.
The reduced space frame and body weight permit to achieve a total car 'dry' weight of 1430 kgs (in spite of its 4WD).
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Passive safety
The Gallardo well exceeds all the European and North American safety standards. Just for example, driver's and passenger's 'dual stage' front airbags (complying also with future 'out of position requirements'), side 'head-thorax' airbags and doors anti-intrusion bars are standard in all versions.
The performances
The high engine power and torque output permit a top speed of 309 km/h and high acceleration capabilities.
This top speed is reached guaranteeing an excellent car stability and controllability.
Indeed, in addition to the optimisation of the suspension characteristics, a must was the definition of the correct aerodynamic features, by concentrating not only on the reduction of the drag coefficient, but, even more important, on the control of the front and rear lift coefficients. Such a study lead to important aerodynamic body refinements (e.g. front flap, flat bottom) and to the implementation of a rear spoiler, electronically controlled as a function of the vehicle speed.
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