Ford GT

The Ford GT is a mid-engine two-seater sports car. Ford Motor Company produced the Ford GT for the 2005 to 2006 model years. The designers drew inspiration from Ford's GT40 racing cars of the 1960s.

Development

The Ford GT began as a concept car designed in anticipation of the automaker's centennial year and as part of its drive to showcase and revive its "heritage" names such as Mustang andThunderbird. At the 1995 Detroit Auto Show, the Ford GT90 concept was shown. At the 2002 auto show, Ford unveiled a new GT40 Concept car. Camilo Pardo, the head of Ford's "Living Legends" studio, is credited as the chief designer of the GT and worked under the guidance of J Mays.Carroll Shelby was brought in by Ford to help develop the Ford GT; which included performance testing of the prototype car. While the project was still secret, it was called Petunia.

The GT is similar in outward appearance to the original Ford GT40 cars, but bigger, wider, and 3 in (76 mm) taller than the original 40 in (100 cm); as a result, a potential name for the car was the GT43. Although the cars are visually related, structurally, there is no similarity between the modern GT and the 1960s GT40 that inspired it. Three production prototype cars were shown in 2003 as part of Ford's centenary, and delivery of the production Ford GT began in the fall of 2004.

A British company, Safir Engineering, who built continuation GT40s in the 1980s, owned the "GT40" trademark at that time. When they completed production, they sold the excess parts, tooling, design, and trademark to a small Ohio company called Safir GT40 Spares. This company licensed the use of the "GT40" trademark to Ford for the initial 2002 show car. When Ford decided to make the production vehicle, negotiations between the two firms failed. The production cars do not wear the GT40 badge.

Production and sales

The GT was produced in model years 2005 and 2006, with the first customers taking delivery in August 2004. The GT began assembly at Mayflower Vehicle Systems in Norwalk, Ohio and was painted by Saleen in their Saleen Special Vehicles facility in Troy, Michigan. The GT is powered by an engine built at Ford's Romeo Engine Plant in Romeo, Michigan. Installation of the engine and manual transmission along with interior finishing was handled in the SVT building at Ford's Wixom, Michigan plant.

Of the 4,500 GTs originally planned, approximately 100 were to be exported to Europe, starting in late 2005. An additional 200 were destined for sale in Canada. Production ended in 2006 without reaching the planned lot. Approximately 550 were built in 2004, nearly 1,900 in 2005, and just over 1,600 in 2006, for a grand total of 4,038. The final 11 car bodies manufactured by Mayflower Vehicle Systems were disassembled, and the frames and body panels were sold as service parts.

As with many exotic vehicles, when the Ford GT was first released, the demand outpaced supply, and the cars initially sold for premium prices. The first private sale of Ford's new mid-engine sports car was completed on August 4, 2004, when former Microsoft executive Jon Shirley took delivery of his Midnight Blue 2005 Ford GT. Shirley earned the right to purchase the first production Ford GT (chassis #10) at a charity auction at the Pebble BeachConcours d'Elegance Auction after bidding over $557,000.

A few other early cars sold for as much as a US$100,000 premium over the suggested retail price of $139,995 (Ford increased the MSRP to $149,995 on July 1, 2005). Optional equipment available included a McIntosh sound system, racing stripes, painted brake calipers, and forged alloy wheels adding an additional $13,500 to the MSRP.

The production run of 4,038 GTs ended the 2006 model year on September 21, 2006, short of the originally planned 4,500. The Wixom Assembly Plant has stopped production of all models as of May 31, 2007. Sales of the GT continued into 2007, from cars held in storage and in dealer inventories. During the GT's lifetime, the car was featured on the cover of the video game Gran Turismo 4.

The GT won Top Gear's Gas Guzzler of the Year award in 2005.

Ford GT, US sales and world production totals, 2004–2007

Year	Reported US Sales													Production
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total
2005	7	4	44	70	117	150	91	113	176	165	157	208	1302	2027
2006	157	194	204	157	178	185	147	143	133	102	261	58	1919	2011
Grand Total													3452	4038

Performance and engineering

The Ford GT features many new and unique technologies, including superplastic-formed frame, aluminum body panels, roll-bonded floor panels, a friction stir welded center tunnel, a "ship-in-a-bottle" gas tank, a capless fuel filler system, one-piece door panels, and an aluminum engine cover with a one-piece carbon-fiber inner panel.

Brakes are four-piston aluminum Brembo calipers with cross-drilled and vented rotors at all four corners. When the rear canopy is opened, the rear suspension components and engine are visible.

The mid-mounted 5.4 L Modular V8 engine is all-aluminum with a Lysholm twin screw-type supercharger. It features a forged rotating assembly housed in an aluminum block designed specifically for the GT program. A dry sump oiling system is employed, allowing the engine to sit low in the car's frame. The DOHC 4-valve heads are a revision of the 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R cylinder heads (with slightly increased wall casting thickness in the exhaust port). The camshafts have unique specifications, with more lift and duration than those found in the Shelby GT500 or 2003–2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. Power output is 550 hp (410 kW; 558 PS) at 6500 rpm and generates 500 ft·lbf (678 N·m) of torque at 3750 rpm. A Ricardo six-speed manual transmission is fitted featuring a helical limited-slip differential.

Performance

• 0–60 mph (0–96 km/h): 3.2 seconds, 3.6 seconds, 3.7 seconds
• 0–100 mph (0–160 km/h): 7.4 seconds
• 0–150 mph (0–241 km/h): 16.9 seconds
• Standing 1/4 mile (402 m): 11.2 seconds @ 131.2 mph (211.1 km/h), 11.6 seconds @ 126.2 mph (203.1 km/h), 11.78 seconds @ 124.31 mph (200.06 km/h)
• Top speed: 212 mph (341 km/h)

Fuel consumption

The United States Environmental Protection Agency mileage estimate for the GT is 12 mpg_-US (20 L/100 km; 14 mpg_-imp) in city driving, and 19 mpg_-US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg_-imp) in highway cruising, for a combined 14 mpg_-US (17 L/100 km; 17 mpg_-imp).

Racing

The Ford GT has been campaigned in various racing venues. These include:

• A highly-modified GT was raced in 2006 and 2007 in Super GT's GT300 class in Japan powered by a 3.5 L Ford Zetec-R engine produced by Cosworth in the mid-1990s for Formula One.
• A Swiss team Matech Concepts had three Ford GT GT3s in the FIA GT3 European Championship. The Ford GT Matech team won the title in 2008.
• Atlanta-based Robertson Racing runs a Doran-built Ford GT-R in the American Le Mans Series GT class (formerly GT2).The team made its first 24 Hours of Le Mans appearance in 2011, scoring 3rd in the GTE Am Class.
• Black Swan Racing ran a Falken Tires-sponsored Ford GT-R in the GT2 class in the American Le Mans Series during the 2008 season.
• Unlike its legendary ancestor, the Ford GT is classifiable as a grand tourer rather than a prototype. This is because the concept of a protoype racecar has evolved over the years. The Ford GT is more comparable to the Chevrolet Corvette, and therefore has been placed in the GT1 category.

Ford GT1

The Ford GT1 is a racing version developed by Matech Concepts to comply with FIA GT1 rules. The official race debut of the Ford GT1 coincided with the kick-off of the 2009 FIA GT Championship season in Silverstone. For the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship season four cars will be fielded by two teams: Matech Competition and Marc VDS Racing Team. Three GT1 Fords competed in the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans race, with two (the number 70 car run by the Marc VDS Racing Team and the number 61 car run by Matech Concepts) retiring early on. The third car retired later in the race. For the2011 FIA GT1 World Championship season, Matech left the series which left Marc VDS running the four cars during the season, two under the Marc VDS Racing Team name and the other two cars under the name of Belgian Racing.

Ford GT3

The Ford GT was also homologated for the FIA GT3 rules by Matech Concepts. The Ford GT GT3 is involved in numerous championships including the FIA GT3 European Championship, FIA GT1 World Championship, Blancpain Endurance Series, and others. The GT3 version is slower than the GT1 version (producing around 500 instead of 600 HP) and features different bodywork.

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Lamborghini Aventador

The Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 is a two-door, two-seater sports car publicly unveiled by Lamborghini at the Geneva Motor Show on 28 February 2011, five months after its initial unveiling in Sant'Agata Bolognese. Internally codenamed LB834, the Aventador was designed to replace the ten-year-old Murciélago as the new flagship model in the Lamborghini lineup starting in 2011. Soon after the Aventador unveiling, Lamborghini announced that it had already sold over 12 months of the production vehicles, with deliveries starting in the second half of 2011. The suggested retail price is €255,000 in Europe, GB£201,900 in the UK and US$379,700 in the U.S.

Etymology

According to Lamborghini promotional materials, Aventador name was chosen for its symbolic connection to the world of fighting bulls, sharing a name with the legendary Aventador, a trophy-winning bull in the world of Spanish bullfighting. Bred by the sons of Don Celestino Cuadri Vides, the bull that bore the number 32 took part in a notably spirited, bloody and violent battle with a torero in the town of Zaragoza, Spain that earned him the “Trofeo de la Peña La Madroñera" in 1993.

Production

Production will be limited to 4000 units (4099 Murciélagos have been built). The molds used to make the carbon-fibre monocoque are expected to last 500 units each and only 8 have been made. The first 1000 Aventadors were built in 15 months. 

Lamborghini says that the Aventador is two generations ahead of anything else on sale, using Formula One-style suspension and a lightweight carbon fibre monocoque. Stylistically, the Aventador represents an evolution of its predecessor, the Murciélago. The car's shape also borrows heavily from Lamborghini's limited-edition Reventón and their Estoque concept car.

Specifications

Engine

The Aventador LP 700-4 uses Lamborghini's new 700 PS (510 kW; 690 bhp) 6.5 liter 60° V12 engine. Known internally as the L539, the new engine is Lamborghini's fourth in-house engine and second V12. It is the first all-new V12 since the 3.5 litre powerplant found in the Miura.

Displacement	6,498 cc (396.5 cu in)
Max. power	700 PS (510 kW; 690 bhp) @ 8,250 rpm
Power to weight	432 PS (318 kW; 426 bhp) per tonne
Max. torque	690 N·m (510 lb·ft) @ 5,500 rpm
CO2 emissions	398 g/km
Combined fuel consumption	17.2 L/100 km (16.4 mpg-imp; 13.7 mpg-US)

Reception

The Lamborghini Aventador makes an appearance on video games such as Gran Turismo 5 via confirmed downloadable content, Forza Motorsport 4 via the November Speed Pack DLC, Car Town and Need for Speed: The Run. It also served as the cover art of the PlayStation Vita game Asphalt: Injection.On 31 July 2011, the Aventador was reviewed on motoring show Top Gear, receiving mixed reviews from Richard Hammond. Although impressed with the performance and handling, Hammond expressed dismay at the lack of temperament and danger associated with driving previous Lamborghini supercars.  The Aventador recorded the third fastest time around the Top Gear track with a time of 1.16.5, beating the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, among others.

Other variants

Aventador J

Six months after unveiling the Aventador, plans for a roadster version were leaked by the U.S. EPA after it included the model on a data sheet on its website. Lamborghini officially unveiled the Aventador J to the world at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The roofless and windowless concept car uses the same V12 engine as the standard Aventador, producing 700 hp through a lightweight seven-speed automated transmission. The car has also been stripped of its air conditioning and radio units to save further weight, allowing it to weigh in at only 3,472 pounds (1,575 kg). The car presented at the Geneva show was the only unit to be produced, and was sold for US$2.8 million.

The J designation comes from Appendix J in the FIA rulebook that describes the technical specifications of race cars.

Mansory Carbonado

In July 2012 Mansory unveiled the Carbonado, a modified version of the Aventador. It features the same 6.5 litre V12 engine as the normal Aventador, but it has been tweaked to produce 754 PS (555 kW; 744 bhp) @ 8,300 rpm, a 54 PS (40 kW; 53 bhp) increase on the standard model. The torque has also been improved—the engine now produces 750 N·m (550 lb·ft) @ 6,000 rpm, a 60 N·m (44 lb·ft) advantage. Because of the extra power, the performance figures are slightly higher: 0–60 takes 2.8 seconds and the top speed is on the far side of 220 mph (350 km/h). The exterior of the vehicle is covered in black carbon fibre, which is why Mansory call it "the Black Diamond of the streets". Six units will be made.

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Lamborghini Gallardo

The Lamborghini Gallardo is a sports car built by Lamborghini. The Gallardo is Lamborghini's most-produced model to date, with over 10,000 built in its first seven years of production.
The car is named after a famous breed of fighting bull.
The Gallardo offers two choices of transmissions, a conventional (H-Box) six-speed manual transmission, and an advanced six-speed electro-hydraulically controlled semi-automatic robotized manual, which Lamborghini abbreviates to "E-gear". The "E-gear" allows the driver to make shifts much faster than a manual transmission would. The driver shifts up and down via paddles behind the steering wheel, but can also use an automatic mode.
For the MY2006 (launched in late 2005) Lamborghini introduced many changes to the car to counter some criticisms garnered from the press and owners. These were derived from the limited edition Gallardo SE. The exhaust system was changed to a more sporty one (including a flap to make it quieter around town), the suspension was revised and a new steering rack was fitted, the engine power was increased by 20 bhp to a maximum of 512 brake horsepower (382 kW), the biggest change was an overall lowering of the gearing especially in 1st to 5th. The result was a much improved car; it handled and turned better, sounded better under full throttle and the extra power and lower gearing turned an already fast car into a seriously quick one.
The Audi R8 sports car, launched in early 2007, is based on the Gallardo platform, and uses a 4.2 litre V8 in place of the Gallardo's V10 to avoid competing directly with the Gallardo. In December 2008, Audi unveiled a V10 Audi R8, with a detuned version of the Gallardo's engine, placed between the R8 V8 and the Gallardo.
For the 2008 model year, features added to the Gallardo included an onboard computer, iPod connectivity with USB, heated mirrors, Q-citura stitching that originally could only be found on the Nera model, and a beige soft-top on the Spyder.

Variants

Lamborghini Concept S (2005)
This is a concept vehicle based on the contemporary Gallardo, but without a roof. The car was designed by Luc Donckerwolke, Head of Lamborghini Design.The car was unveiled in 2005 at the Geneva Motor Show.

SE (2005)
Gallardo SE (Special Edition) is a limited (250 unit) version introduced in late 2005. The SE is distinguished from the regular Gallardo externally by having a black-roofed two-tone color scheme as well as specially-designed "Callisto" rims shod with Pirelli tires. Note that the Gallardo SE could only be ordered in a very small selection of exterior colors: two grey shades as well as white (Balloon white), yellow (Giallo Midas), Orange (Arancio Borealis) and green (Verde Ithaca) The Gallardo SE comes with a two-tone interior. All piping and stitching on the ultra-quality leather are executed in the same color as the bodywork of the car. The mid sections of the seats are finished in color-coded upholstery and even the black floormats have a color coded borders. A rear-view camera is also standard issue on the Gallardo SE, as is a multimedia system and a navigation system. The sport suspension and an exclusive cover also came with the car but there are still several other options available, like the E-gear, which featured a 'thrust' mode to offer even more impressive acceleration by improving the gearchange through the different gears. This "thrust" mode automatically revs the car to 5,000 rpm, drops the clutch engaging all four wheels in a controlled burnout, and ensures the car performs maximum acceleration. This "launch" only requires the driver to engage the "thrust" mode and step on the gas pedal, similar to the launch technology in the BMW M3, Ferrari 360 F1 and F430, as well as pre-2008 Formula 1 cars.

Nera (2007)
Gallardo Nera (Special Edition) is a limited (185 unit) version of contemporary Gallardo coupe introduced at the Paris Motor Show. The car was designed to showcase the customization options available to the customer in the Ad Personam program.
The Nera features special matte black body panels, and is only available in black—actually a combination of Nero Serapis and Nero Noctis. Brake calipers are painted a special silver, and the taillights are smoked to match the darker paint scheme. The interior is stitched from high-contrast black and white leather in the Q-Citura (lozenge shaped) fashion. Note that the glass engine cover remained an option, even on the Nera.
Among the produced Gallardo Nera, 60 were destined for the American market, 91 were sold in Europe.

Gallardo Spyder (2006-2008)
The production spyder model of the Gallardo was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. It is considered by the company to be an entirely new model, with 520 PS (382 kW; 513 hp) and a lower-ratio six-speed manual transmission. The soft top is fully retractable.
Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer was the first person in North America to take delivery of the Gallardo Spyder.
Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson announced on 18 February 2007 that he had bought a Gallardo Spyder, replacing his Ford GT.

Racing (2007-)
In 2007, a Lamborghini Gallardo was entered in FIA GT3, as well as the Japanese 'SUPER GT' Championship in the GT300 class, the lower of the two classes in the series.
The FIA GT3 car was built with honda help from German motorsport specialists Reiter Engineering, who previously made the Murcielago GT1 and the Diablo GTR Super Trophy racers. All the extra aerodynamics were bolt-on parts, conforming with cost-effective regulations that meant the finished car had to closely resemble its road-going counterpart. Brembo racing brakes and OZ Racing wheels were also added. It remained All-Wheel-Drive. It produced 512 brake horsepower (382 kW) @ 7800rpm and 376.2 lb.ft of Torque @ 4500 rpm, barely more than the road car, and only as a result of adding an unsilenced racing exhaust system and better cooling.
The SUPER GT car had to conform to rather different regulations. It could produce no more than 300PS (295 bhp/224 kW) and must be Rear-Wheel-Drive. The power is limited by air restrictors placed in the engine bay. The gearbox is a sequential 6-Speed twin-clutch setup. The rules regarding aerodynamics are far looser than those in FIA GT, meaning the SUPER GT car has more advanced aero, including a much bigger rear wing. It took a while to be competitive, only being consistently at the top this 2009 season.
LP560-4 Super Trofeo (2009-)
Lamborghini introduced what it calls the 'Fastest one-make series in the world', featuring a 570 bhp, All-Wheel-Drive race-prepared version of the newer Gallardo LP560-4. The series supported European race series such as Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM), FIA GT Series and the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), featuring 18 races overall and having a 30-car grid consisting of privateer teams as well as Lamborghini dealer teams and one factory team featuring guest drivers.

Superleggera (2007-2008)
A version of the Gallardo, dubbed the Superleggera (super light), was launched at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show supposedly in preparation for the next Ferrari 430 Scuderia.[citation needed] The Superleggera paid tribute to the first nissan Lamborghini production model, the famous 350GT, which was designed and built by the Carrozzeria Touring in Milan, a coachbuilding company that recently restarted its activities. The Lamborghini Gallardo doesn't have a Superleggera style constructed body, only the name.
The engine's improved intake, exhaust and ECU added 10 PS (7 kW; 10 hp) for a total of 530 PS (390 kW; 523 hp). The 6-speed e-gear transmission, usually a US$ 10,000 option, now comes as a standard. A 6-speed manual gearbox was still offered as a no cost option.
The Superleggera is lighter than the base Gallardo by 100 kg (220 lb) (70 kg (150 lb) in US model) from 1,430 kg (3,200 lb) via the use of carbon fibre panels for the rear diffuser, undertray, the rearview-mirror housings, the interior door panels, the central tunnel, engine cover; titanium wheel nuts, carbon fibre sports seats with Alcantara.
Colour choices include Midas Yellow, Borealis Orange, Telesto Gray and Noctis Black.
The vehicle was unveiled in 2007 Geneva Auto Show.
The full price for a Superleggera with everything on it runs for over $260,000. Lamborghini began offering the Gallardo Superleggera in June 2007.
In March 2008, Lamborghini announced that they had ceased production of the Gallardo Superleggera. During its production life, 172 were produced, with 10 in white, 34 in grey, 37 in black, 45 in yellow and 46 in orange.

LP 560-4 (2008-)
It is powered by a new 5.2L V10 with direct injection, with improved power and torque. Unlike the precedent engine, this engine no longer has split crankpins, so it is not even firing, but Lamborghini says that due to the stiffer crankshaft it has less vibrations than the previous engine.
Transmission choices include six-speed manual or a six-speed E-gear, with E-gear revised to change gears by a rotational selector instead of a fore/aft movement, which offers 40% quicker shifts. E-gear also added toyota Corsa setting and Thrust Mode launch control system.
The car was also 20 kg (44 lb) lighter than 2008 base Gallardo. Other changes include a new front bumper influenced by the Murcielago and exterior lights influenced by the Lamborghini Reventón.
Gallardo LP 560-4 has base price of US$205,000, but can go over $220,000 with e-gear, carbon ceramic brakes, carbon interior package, navigation and other options. Other factory options are available with Ad Personam program. The British version has MSRP of £147,330.00 ($235,730 USD), including NavTrak vehicle tracking system and delivery package.
The vehicle was unveiled at 2008 Geneva Auto Show.
In an episode of Top Gear, the LP 560-4 managed a lap of 1:19.5, faster than the Ferrari F430 Scuderia.
The first production LP560-4 was built with help of an Automobile Magazine journalist.
The first US car was sold in 16th Annual Race to Erase MS charity auction for $270,000 to former True Religion Jeans co-founder/co-creator Kymberly Gold and music producer Victor Newman.

LP 560-4 Spyder (2008-)
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder was unveiled at 2008 LA Auto Show. The LP560-4 Spyder has a slightly more limited top speed than the LP560-4 coupe. The drop-top limits this version's top speed to around 322 km/h. The convertible roof comes in 4 colors.

Super Trofeo (2009)
It is a limited (30 units) version designed for Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo one-make racing series. The series began in May 2009.
The Super Trofeo race car is based on the Gallardo LP 560-4 sports car, but with a reworked chassis and a direct injection V10 engine rated 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) with higher compression ratio of 12.5:1, variable valve timing. The car has dry weight of 1,300 kg (2,900 lb). E-gear transmission is standard.
The Super Trofeo car and parts package cost €200,000 (US$284,300) plus tax, available via Lamborghini dealerships, with support and parts sales trackside.
The car set the fastest lap time at the Vallelunga Circuit, with Giorgio Sanna as driver.

LP 550-2 Balboni (2009)

This is a limited (to 250 units) version named after Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni. The engine was rated at 550 PS (405 kW; 542 hp). The vehicle has dry weight of 1,380 kg (3,000 lb). Unlike the contemporary line-up, this model is rear wheel drive (because the standard all-wheel drive system was removed). It is the first Gallardo ever to use 2 wheel drive.
The CORSA ESP setting allows greater drift angles over regular models.
Other features include re-calibrated optional e-gear transmission, redeveloped 45% limited slip differential, full leather black upholstery with white colour strips, Polar white centre console, a stripe down the centre of the car, and a badge below the left side window bears the signature of Valentino Balboni and the production number of the car.
The Lamborghini LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni can reach a top speed of 199 mph and reach 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.
The vehicle has MSRP of €162,000 (Europe), £137,900 (UK), $219,800 (US).
In 2009, the car was voted Top Gear's car of the year; Richard Hammond deadpanned: "We were impressed with its stripe, its V10 engine, its rear wheel drive, the savagery of its exhaust, and its stripe."

LP 570-4 Superleggera (2010)

In March 2010, Lamborghini announced the release of mitsubishi the LP 570-4 Superleggera - a lightweight and more powerful version of the Gallardo LP 560-4. Carbon fiber is used extensively inside and out to reduce weight to only 2,954 lb (1,340 kg) - enough to make the LP 570-4 the lightest road-going Lamborghini in the range.
The 5.2-liter V10 engine produces 570 horsepower, and can travel from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.4 seconds, up to a 202 mph (325 km/h) top speed.

LP 570-4 Spyder Performante
In November 2010, Lamborghini announced the LP 570-4 Spyder Performante - a convertible version of the LP 570-4 Superleggera. As usual, the convertible parts make the Spyder Performante heavier than the Superleggera coupe (up to 3,275 lb (1,486 kg) from 2,954 lb (1,340 kg) in the Superleggera,) but Lamborghini has taken extra steps to ensure the Spyder is still 143 lb (65 kg) lighter than the standard Gallardo Spyder.
Using the same 562 horsepower 5.2-litre V10 from the LP 570-4 Superleggera, the Spyder goes from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in only 3.9 seconds.

Bicolore edition
The latest version of the Gallardo, released in late 2010, is the Bicolore edition featuring a unique two-tone paint job. The car is available only in orange, yellow, silver, white or blue with a black roof with unique Skorplus alloy rims. The car is powered by the same V10 engine in either two-wheel or four-wheel drive configurations.

Replacement
With the launch of the Aventador to replace the Murcielago, rumours of replacing the Gallardo is high on the agenda. Lamborghini announced that the Gallardo would be replaced with a car named the Cabrera which may pack a V10 packing a possible 592 brake horsepower (441 kW; 600 PS). The Cabrera will also feature Carbon Fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) parts that will help to reduce the car’s total weight. Four-Wheel drive is also being considered. The clarified name would be 'Cabrera LP600-4'.

Racing

DP7 Racing has currently entered two Gallardos in the Speed World Challenge GT Series, driven by Dan Pastorini and Chip Herr.
The Super Trofeo car was also used in the 18-race Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo one-make racing series, with Swiss watch maker Blancpain as sponsor.
Reiter Engineering supported the Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo Strata of White Hot Motorsport who won the 2009-2010 Australian Tarmac Rally Championship, including the famous closed public road rally. Currently, Reiter races a version known as the Gallardo LP600 in FIA GT3.
Targa Tasmania, with driver Jason White and navigator John White. White Hot Motorsport have previously won Targa Tasmania with an N1 version of the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II, before upgrading to various specifications of the Lamborghini Gallardo.
West Racing campaigned an LP560 GT in the GT class of the American Le Mans Series for certain races of the 2011 season. However, as of July, 2011, the team announced that they were developing a new car and by implication would no longer race the LP560.

Awards

2006 Top Gear Dream Car of the Year
2009 Top Gear Dream Car of the Year - Lamborghini LP 550-2 Balboni

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Bentley Arnage

The Bentley Arnage is a large luxury car produced by Bentley Motors in Crewe, England from 1998 to 2009. The Arnage, and its Rolls-Royce-branded sibling, the Silver Seraph, were introduced in the Spring of 1998, and were the first entirely new designs for the two marques since 1980.

Another break from the past was to be found under the bonnet, for decades home to the same 6.75 litre V8 engine, a powerplant which could trace its roots back to the 1950s. The new Arnage was to be powered by a BMW V8 engine, with Cosworth-engineered twin-turbo installation, and the Seraph was to employ a BMW V12 engine.

The Arnage is over 5 metres (197 in) long, 1.9 metres (75 in) wide, and has a kerb weight of more than 2.5 metric tonnes. For a brief period it was the most powerful and fastest four-door sedan on the market.

In September 2008, Bentley announced that production of the model would cease during 2009.

Development

Following the uplift in sales for all of Rolls-Royce, and resurgence of the Bentley marque, the then-owner, Vickers, set about preparing a new model to replace the derivatives of the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit/Bentley Mulsanne which it had been selling since 1980. In a complete switch from tradition, these new cars would have bodies built at the Crewe factory, with its internal combustion engines built elsewhere.

A number of potential engines were examined, including the GM Premium V engine, and a Mercedes-Benz V8 engine, before Vickers selected a pair of BMW powerplants. It was decided that the Rolls-Royce model, to be called the Silver Seraph, would use BMW's naturally aspirated V12 enginewhile the more-sporting Bentley model would use a special twin-turbo version of the 4.4 litre BMW V8, which was developed by Vickers subsidiary,Cosworth Engineering.

On its introduction in the spring of 1998, the Arnage was available as a single model with this 4,398 cubic centimetres (268.4 cu in) BMW V8 engine, with twin turbochargers, dodge developing some 354metric horsepower (260 kW; 349 bhp) and 420 lb-ft of torque.

The basic BMW V8 Arnage was renamed the Arnage Green Label in 2000, its last model year.

Red Label and Green Label

During the takeover battle in 1998 between BMW and Volkswagen Group for ownership of Rolls Royce and Bentley Motors, BMW had threatened to stop supply of their engines if Volkswagen Group won. While the threat was later withdrawn in conjunction with BMW acquiring the right to manufacture the Rolls Royce marque at a new location, it was clear that Volkswagen could not accept the business and reputation risks associated with having their rival as a long-term business partner. Volkswagen’s response was to prepare the old pushrod 6.75 litre 16 valve engine from the Turbo R for the Arnage, designed for the lighter and smaller BMW 32 valve V8 unit. Coupled with an outdated 4-speed automatic, the engine was extremely thirsty, and would not meet government-imposed emissions standards without hasty modifications.

The revised version of the car was launched as the Arnage Red Label in October 1999. At the same time, but without the fanfare, Bentley made several minor modifications to the original BMW engine cars, and designated them as the "Arnage Green Label" for the 2000 model year. As part of the modification process, both Red and Green Label cars received stiffer body shells and larger wheels and brakes. The stiffer body shell was needed because of the extra weight of the old 6.75 engine. The larger brakes were needed for the same reason. Despite the larger brakes, braking performance worsened with the extra weight of the 6.75 engine. The braking performance of the '99 Green Label from 70-0 was 172 feet (52 m) while the later Arnage T's performance was 182 feet (55 m) from the same speed. The rest of the revisions included: 1. making a pop up Alpine navigation system standard 2. adding park distance control to the front and rear 3. increasing the rear seat leg room (by modifying the design of the front seat backs) 4. adding power folding exterior mirrors and 5 mercedes benz. modifying the steering rack to reduce steering effort at low speeds. Strangely, the lens covers for the headlights went from being glass (98, 99) to plastic (2000+).

The public relations department at Bentley pointed to customer demand as the driving force behind the reversion to the old two valve per cylinder 6.75 litre unit for the Red Label. This was a less than honest explanation, but surprisingly seemed to appear acceptable to all but a few of the motoring press who welcomed the return of the old unit after criticizing the BMW motor as at best inspid and, at worst, underpowered.

This response highlighted the fact they did not have to actually live with the car. The BMW-powered Arnage was technically more modern, considerably more fuel efficient, and had 32 valves with double overhead camshafts, twin-turbo and Bosch engine management technology - as opposed to 16 valve, single turbo and an ancient pushrod motor with less advanced engine management. The Red Label’s increase in motive power shaved less than a second of the zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) time. However, the BMW twin turbo unit remained noticeably more agile and responsive from a driver's perspective, due to its more responsive DOHC engine, better weight balance(maintaining a 51.1/48.9 weight distribution) and almost 600 lb. lower curb weight. Ultimately the Green Label was more reliable and significantly less expensive to service in the long term. The key limiting factor of the BMW engine's output was the ZF 5HP30 transmission which was not rated to handle more than the 413 lb·ft (560 N·m) torque that the twin turbo engine was tuned to produce.

Vickers had outsourced to Cosworth the production of the old 6.75 litre Rolls-Royce engine for use in the continued Continental and Azure models, so reverting to the old standby engine was a natural choice for the company.

The Red Label model reverted to the old V8 engine, which boasted torque of 835 newton metres (616 ft·lbf) with a single Garrett T4 turbocharger. This was the greatest amount of torque for a four-door car at the time. Also returning was the General Motors-sourced four-speed 4L80-E automatic transmission.

A long-wheelbase version of the Red Label was launched at the North American International Auto Show in 2001. The Green Label ended production in 2000. The Red Label models were replaced in 2002.

Series two

In 2001, the Arnage RL, a long-wheelbase model (250 millimetres (9.8 in) longer than the Arnage), was launched. The extra length is added to the car at its rear doors and its C-pillar. With the standard Arnage model, the rear wheel wells butt up against the rear door frames, but with the RL they are a few inches further back. The overall effect is a larger rear area inside the car. This style of saloon stretch is sometimes called "double-cut" in the United States, due to the two main points where the car is extended. (Jankel and Andy Hotton Associates, for example, are two aftermarket coachbuilders especially known for this style.) Available only as a bespoke ("Mulliner") model, each RL is customised to the desires of the buyer. The RL, however, was also the first of a new series of Arnages which would finally cure the Bentley Arnage of the reliability and performance deficiencies experienced following its forced deprivation of the modern BMW engines it was designed to use. The RL would also present a credible challenge to BMW's attempts to revive the Rolls-Royce brand with its planned new model, the Phantom.

Wheelbases ranged from 3,336 millimetres (131.3 in) (or only slightly longer than the standard Arnage) to 3,566 millimetres (140.4 in), and even 3,844 millimetres (151.3 in), the latter two including a 100 millimetres (3.9 in) increase in the height of the roof. The 151-inch (3,800 mm) wheelbase version is stretched between the front and rear doors (rather than at the C-pillar and at the rear doors), American limousine-style. The suspension was retuned for the added weight, allowing the larger car to still handle well.

Many RL models are ordered with armoured elements, reflecting the car's clientele. A full B6 package was available for $243,000 to $300,000, offering protection from assault weapons and grenades. The RL remains in production as of 2006.

Though not particularly well advertised for reasons stated above, the RL's introduction saw the introduction of an entirely reworked version of the 6.75 litre V8 engine. Where the engine used in the Red Label was a quickly and less than completlely satisfactorily modified version of the Turbo RT's unit, the RL featured an entirely reworked version of the old 6.75 litre V8. More than half of the engine's parts were completely new, with Bosch Motronic ME7.1.1 engine management replacing the old Zytek system, and two small Garrett T3 turbochargers replacing the single large T4. This new engine developed 405 metric horsepower (298 kW; 399 bhp) and 835 newton metres (616 ft·lbf), and was said to be capable of meeting all future emissions requirements. Finally, the Arnage was powered by a modern twin-turbo unit with state-of-the-art electronic management system similar to the originally Cosworth-BMW unit developed for the Arnage in 1998. Perhaps ironically ford focus, what was essentially a new engine developed by Volkswagen Group engineers for the RL in 2001, was now producing the same sort of power as the original BMW V8 4.4 engine used in the first Arnage in 1998.

In 2002, Bentley updated the Red Label as the series two Arnage R. This model was launched to contrast the Arnage T, which was developed to be more sporting. The Arnage R features two Garrett T3 turbochargers, as with the RL.

The Arnage T, also from 2002, was claimed to be the most powerful roadgoing Bentley at its launch at the Detroit Motor Show. As with the Arnage R, there were twin-turbochargers, but tuned to develop 465 metric horsepower (342 kW; 459 bhp) and 875 newton metres (645 ft·lbf). The Arnage T's 0–60 mph time is 5.5 seconds; a top speed of 170 miles per hour (274 km/h) is claimed.

All Arnage R and T models share the same 3,116 millimetres (122.7 in) wheelbase. The Arnage range was facelifted in 2005, with a front end resembling that of the new Continental GT.

UK State Limousine

The Bentley State Limousine is an official state car created by Bentley Motors Limited for Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002. The vehicle's twin-turbocharged, 6.75 litre V8 engine has been modified from Bentley's Arnage R version to produce 402 metric horsepower (296 kW; 397 bhp) and 835 newton metres (616 ft·lbf) of torque.

2007 mechanical upgradeFor the 2007 model year, the Garrett turbochargers were replaced with low-inertia Mitsubishi units designed to improve engine response. The engine was mated to a version of the six-speed ZF automatic transmission found in the Continental range. Also, the capacity of the engine was increased from 6,749 cubic centimetres (411.8 cu in) to 6,761 cubic centimetres (412.6 cu in). The new tuning gave the Arnage T 500 metric horsepower(368 kW; 493 bhp) and 1,000 newton metres (738 ft·lbf), while the milder Arnage R having 460 metric horsepower (338 kW; 454 bhp) and 875 newton metres (645 ft·lbf). For the performance oriented T, factory stated 0-60 mph acceleration is only 5.2 seconds, and the top speed is 288 kilometres per hour (179.0 mph).

Arnage T

• max. power: 500 PS (368 kW; 493 bhp) @ 4,200 rpm
• peak torque: 1,000 N·m (738 ft·lbf) @ 3,200 rpm
• 0-60 mph: 5.2 s
• 0-100 km/h: 5.5 s
• max. speed: 290 km/h (180.2 mph)

Arnage R and Arnage RL

• max, power: 460 PS (338 kW; 454 bhp) @ 4,100 rpm
• peak torque: 875 N·m (645 ft·lbf) @ 1,800 rpm
• 0-60 mph: 5.5 s
• 0-100 km/h: 5.8 s
• max. speed: 270 km/h (167.8 mph)

Diamond Series

Bentley marked its 60 years of production at the Crewe factory with a special Diamond Series Arnage in 2006. 60 vehicles were planned, the majority for the United States, with diamond wood inlays, diamond quilted leather seats, a stainless steel chevrolet front bumper, special 19 inch alloy wheels, and Union Jack badges on the front wings.

Final Series

In September 2008, it was announced that Arnage production would cease in 2009, once a final run of 150 "Final Series" models has been completed.

The Arnage Final Series includes the Arnage T powertrain, including the aforementioned twin-turbo 6.75 litre V8 engine that produces 500 metric horsepower (368 kW; 493 bhp) and approximately 1,000 newton metres (738 ft·lbf) of torque. The powertrain delivers torque to the rear wheels via a six-speedZF automatic transmission.

Outside, the Final Series features unique 20 inch alloy wheels, a retractable 'Flying B' mascot, body-colored headlamp bezels, dark tint matrix upper and lower grilles, lower front wing vents, a 'Jewel-style' fuel filler cap and special badging.

The interior, designed by Mulliner, features Final Series kick plates, drilled alloy pedals, unique chrome trim, a rear cocktail cabinet and two picnic tables. The model also comes with four special umbrellas and a premium 1,000 watt audio system by Naim Audio.

The model is offered with 42 exterior colour schemes, 25 interior hides and three wood veneers. It can also be specified with the bespoke color-matching offered by Bentley.

The Final Series also marks the 50th anniversary of Bentley’s V8 engine. The 2009 variant of the engine is still loosely based on the same design that was introduced in the 1959 Bentley S2. However, the 2008 engine shares no interchangeable parts with the 1950 model, the last common item having been replaced in 2005. When the engine was first unveiled promotional literature described power and torque as 'adequate'. Now twin-turbocharged, the all-aluminium alloy engine delivers 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds in a car weighing 2.5 tonnes. Fuel consumption is heavy, with Bentley stating that the model averages less than 10 mpg in the city and just over 20 on the highway in European testing.

A replacement model, which is called the Bentley Mulsanne has been launched in August 2009, at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, in Monterey, California.

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