Lamborghini has confirmed yesterday’s rumour that it will produce a limited edition, rear wheel drive LP 550-2. The special edition is limited to Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni, who has worked at the company since 1967.

While now officially retired, Balboni is still a Lamborghini brand ambassador, and has driven every prototype of the company since 1973. The LP 550-2 will feature a V10 engine at 550 hp, and as the number ‘2′ suggests, rear wheel drive.

It will be the only Lamborghini in the line-up that drives solely on rear wheels. The LP 550-2 reaches 100 km/hr in 3.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 320 km/hr. With only 250 units being produced, in Europe it will cost about 162,000 euros, while in the US it will be about 219,800 USD. In the UK the pricing is set at 137,900 pounds, all figures without tax. For full details of the LP 550-2 from the press release, see after the jump.

Light-footed yet extremely safe

With this latest version of the Gallardo, Lamborghini is honouring its long-standing test driver in a very special way. The LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni was conceived in line with his own thinking, and it meets many customers’ requests for a model with a unique character, which offers a very special kind of active driving fun. The Balboni model is the only current Lamborghini that delivers its power to the road via its rear wheels alone.

Rear wheel drive has a special appeal to those sports car drivers who enjoy a particular driving style. Thanks to the eminently powerful V10 driveline, controlled oversteer is no problem – naturally always to the extent defined by the driver - because refined road manners and perfectly tuned assistance systems mean that the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni is an exceptionally safe sports car to drive.

Driving fun with unique character

In order to shape this unique character that combines driving fun and safety, the engineers at Sant’Agata Bolognese have incorporated extensive modifications into the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni. It was not simply a question of moving the transmission to the rear axle, the vehicle had to be adjusted and tuned in every element of its driving dynamics. This includes springs, dampers, stabilisers and even the tyres. The aerodynamics were also adjusted to take account of the change to the power flow.

The rear axle differential, with a 45 percent limited slip, was also redeveloped, as was the calibration of the e-gear transmission. One significant point was the adjustments made to the ESP system. While the standard program is focused on high stability, the CORSA program permits greater drift angles, thus enabling drivers to enjoy the dynamics of the LP 550-2 to their full extent.

Outstanding performance is guaranteed

Adjustments have also been made to the very heart of the Gallardo, the 5.2 litre ten-cylinder: the perfect synthesis of hi-revving pleasure, pulling power, a constantly exuberant temperament and a powerful symphony played in all keys. In the Valentino Balboni, the compact and lightweight power unit generates 405 kW (550 hp). At a dry weight of only 1,380 kilograms, this guarantees outstanding performance: the LP 550-2 is catapulted from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62mph) in a breathtaking 3.9 seconds, while the top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph) guarantees its place among the ultimate in super sports cars.

Powerful elegance in its distinctive design

The Valentino Balboni is not only unique in terms of its technology: its design and equipment reinforce its exclusivity. Its classic sporting character is emphasised by a colour strip in white and gold running from the front panel over the roof and parts of the engine cover all the way to the rear spoiler, with inspiration from the classic sports cars from the ‘70s. This colour treatment underscores the powerful elegance of the Gallardo and emphasises the unique Lamborghini design DNA. The Special Edition is available in eight colours, from Bianco Monocerus through to Verde Ithaca, or Arancio Borealis to Nero Noctis. The Scorpius wheels retain their dark grey finish, while the brake callipers come in black, orange or yellow, depending on the exterior paint finish.

Classic sporting look for the interior, too

The characteristic colour combination is repeated in the interior. The basic colour of the full leather upholstery is black. Both seats, however, feature the colour strip in white. The centre console is completely upholstered in Polar white leather to create a powerful accent. A badge below the left side window bears the signature of Valentino Balboni and the production number of the car.

The exclusivity of the Valentino Balboni is augmented further by its extensive equipment. Alongside several new leather features in the interior, there is also the transparent engine cover, the rear view camera, the navigation system with Bluetooth and the lifting system for the front axle that makes it easier to drive over obstacles. In addition to the extensive standard equipment, a list of further options is available including e-gear transmission and carbon ceramic brakes.

Technical data – Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni

Frame & Body
Frame: Structural aluminum space frame, based on aluminum extruded parts welded to aluminum-cast joint elements
Body: Aluminum with thermoplastic ″hang on″ parts
Rear: Spoiler Electronically controlled
Mirrors: External mirror with electrical closing system
Suspension: Aluminium double wishbones front and rear suspension system, anti-roll bar, anti-dive and anti-squat
ESP: 8.0 Full ESP System with ABS, ASR and ABD
Airbags: Front Front Dual-Stage driver and passenger airbags, side Headthorax airbags
Tires: (front/rear) Pirelli Pzero 235/35 ZR 19 – 295/30 ZR 19
Wheels: (front/rear) Aluminum alloy, 8.5″ x Ø 19”- 11” x Ø 19”
Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion
Curb-to-Curb turning circle 11.50 m (37.73 ft)

Brakes
Steel brakes: Power vacuum, aluminum alloy calipers: 8 cylinder front
calipers and 4 cylinder rear calipers
Ventilated discs (front-rear) ø 14.37 x 1.34 in front –ø 14 x 1.26
in rear
CCB brakes: Power vacuum, aluminum alloy calipers: 6 cylinder front
calipers and 4 cylinder rear calipers
Ventilated discs (front-rear) ø 15 x 1.5 in front –ø 14 x 1.26 in
rear

Motor
Type: 10 cylinders V90°, DOHC 4 valves, common-pin crankshaft
Displacement: 5.2 l
Compression ratio: 12.5:1
Maximum power: 550 hp at 8,000 rpm
Maximum torque: 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm
Engine management system Bosch MED 9
Cooling system: Engine and gearbox radiator
Cooling system oil: Oil to Water cooler
Cooling system water: Two water radiators
Emission control system: Catalytic converters with lambda sensors
Lubrication system: Dry sump

Drivetrain
Type of transmission: Rear Wheel drive
Gearbox: 6 Speed + reverse, an optional robotized sequential e-gear system with actuation by paddles on the steering column
Clutch: Double plate ø 215 mm (8.46’’)
Rear: Differential 45% limited slip

Performance
Top speed: 320 Km/h (199 mph)
Acceleration: 0-100/h (0-62 mph) 3.9 sec

Dimensions
Wheelbase: 2560 mm (100.8 in)
Overall length: 4345 mm (171,1 in)
Overall width: 1900 mm (74.8 in)
Overall height: 1165 mm (45.9 in)
Track (front/rear) 1632 mm- 1597mm (64.3 – 62.9 in)
Dry Weight: 1380 Kg. (3042 lbs)
Weight distribution (front/rear) Front 43%/rear 57%

Capacities
Engine oil: 10 litres (2,6 US gal)
Fuel tank: 90 litres (23,8 US gal)
Engine coolant 20 litres (5,3 US gal)

EU - version
Consumption with E-Gear:
Urban 20,1 l/100 Km. (14,05 mpg UK)
Extra urban 9,2 l/100 Km (30,70 mpg UK)
Combined 13,3 l/100 Km (21,24 mpg UK)
CO2 315 g/km:
Consumption with manual transmission
Urban 22 l/100 Km (12,84 mpg UK)
Extra urban 9.9 l/100 Km (28,53 mpg UK)
Combined 14,4 l/100 Km (19,62 mpg UK)
CO2 341 g/km

US - version
Consumption with E.Gear:
City 14 mpg
Highway 20 mpg
Combined 16 mpg
Consumption with manual transmission:
City 12 mpg
Highway 20 mpg
Combined 15 mpg

Photos | CarAdvice

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