92-455: The Lamborghini Gallardo ( / ɡ aɪ ˈ j ɑːr d oʊ / ; Spanish: [ɡaˈʎaɾðo] ) is a sports car built by the Italian automotive manufacturer Lamborghini from 2003 to 2013. It is Lamborghini's second car released under parent company Audi , and the best-selling model at the time with 14,022 built throughout its production run. Named after a famous breed of fighting bull ,
184-561: A 329 km/h (204 mph) top speed. In November 2010, Lamborghini announced the LP 570-4 Spyder Performante, a convertible version of the LP 570-4 Superleggera. Employing the same odd firing 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) 5.2L V10 and with a curb weight of 1,485 kg (3,274 lb), heavier than the coupé as usual with coupé based convertibles, the LP 570-4 Spyder Performante goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds, to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 12.0 seconds and has
276-467: A 6-speed manual transmission with E-gear available as a cost option. The LP 550–2 AD is based on the LP 550-2 Coupé with Ad Personam customization, which includes transparent engine cover, engine room LED lighting, diamond pattern leather interior upholstery, travel package. In 2012, the LP 550-2 Spyder was introduced with the same specifications as the Coupé, as the lowest priced Spyder model. The vehicle
368-476: A Thrust Mode launch control system was also added. Accompanied with a 20 kg (44 lb) weight reduction. All the improvements add up to a claimed performance of 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) of 11.8 and a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph). The MSRP base price was $ 198,000 in the US and £147,330 (including NavTrak vehicle tracking system and delivery package) in
460-399: A controversial choice for a "purist" sports car. The Elan sold poorly and was discontinued after three years. The 1996 Lotus Elise , a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive roadster, was much more successful and remained in production until 2021. Roadsters enjoyed a resurgence in the mid-1990s, including the 1989-present Mazda MX-5 , the 1995-2002 BMW Z3 (succeeded by the 2002-2016 BMW Z4 ),
552-409: A definition. Insurance companies have also attempted to use mathematical formulae to categorise sports cars, often charging more for insurance due to the inherent risk of performance driving. There is no fixed distinction between sports cars and other categories of performance cars, such as muscle cars and grand tourers , with some cars being members of several categories. Traditionally,
644-622: A lightweight and more powerful version of the Gallardo LP 560–4 in the same vein as the previous Superleggera. With carbon fibre used extensively inside and out to reduce weight to just 1,340 kg (2,954 lb) making it the lightest road-going Lamborghini in the range. The odd firing 5.2 L V10 on the LP 570-4 gets a power bump over the standard Gallardo to 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) at 8,000 rpm and 540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft) at 6,500 rpm of torque . Performance has been improved to 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.2 seconds, and
736-528: A new function: 'thrust' mode. This feature automatically revs the car to 5,000 rpm then drops the clutch engaging all four wheels in a controlled burnout to ensure that the car performs maximum acceleration. The Gallardo Nera is a special edition (limited to 185 units) of the Gallardo and was introduced at the Paris Motor Show . The car was designed to showcase the customization options available to
828-413: A new, uneven firing 5.2 L (5,200 cc; 320 cu in) V10 engine that produces 560 PS (412 kW; 552 hp) at 8,000 rpm and 540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft) of torque at 6,500 rpm. Featuring "Iniezione Diretta Stratificata" direct fuel injection system to improve efficiency; fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions have been reduced by 18% despite the increase in performance. The car
920-399: A pressed-steel chassis, a gated 4-speed transmission, pushrod-actuated overhead inlet valves , a honeycomb radiator, low-tension magneto ignition , a long wheelbase, a low center of mass and a very effective suspension system. The overall result was a "safe and well-balanced machine" with a higher performance than any other contemporary production car. At the 1903 Gordon Bennett Cup ,
1012-427: A production Simplex 60 hp was entered only due to a specially-built 90 hp racing car being destroyed in a fire; the 60 hp famously went on to win the race. The 1910 Austro-Daimler 27/80 is another early sports car which had success in motor racing. The 27/80 was designed by Ferdinand Porsche , who drove the car to victory in the 1910 Prince Henry Tour motor race. The Vauxhall and Austro-Daimler —like
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#17327804213991104-483: A small blue lightbar . It was a version of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 for Panama's National Police, seized from David Murcia Guzman of DMG Group Holding, S.A. The Gallardo SE is a limited edition of 250 units introduced in 2005. It is distinguished from the regular Gallardo externally by a black-roofed two-tone color scheme as well as specially designed "Callisto" wheels. It also featured
1196-511: A stripe down the center of the car, and a badge below the left side window bears the signature of Valentino Balboni and the production number of the car. On right-hand drive cars, the badge is located at the bottom of the right-hand-drive rear window. A special one-off Balboni was created by the Singapore distributor of Lamborghini (Eurosport) which had Superleggera seats and a full Reiter Engineering Super Trofeo Strada body derived directly from
1288-507: A top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph). Following the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni and LP 550-2 Bicolore special editions, the LP 550-2 Coupé was offered by Lamborghini in the 2011 model year as the lowest-priced model in the Gallardo line-up. The rear-wheel-drive LP 550-2 Coupé is distinguished by unique black side skirts and "LP 550-2" badging, suspension tuning borrowed from the Valentino Balboni edition, and came equipped with
1380-532: A two-tone interior further distinguishing it from the base model. All piping and stitching on the leather are executed in the same color as the bodywork of the car. The midsections of the seats are finished in color-coded upholstery and even the black floormats have a color-coded border. A rear-view camera was standard on the Gallardo SE, as was the multimedia and navigation system, sports suspension, and an exclusive cover. The optional E-gear transmission came with
1472-600: Is a limited (3 units, 1 in Taiwan, 2 in Thailand) version of the LP 570-4 Super Trofeo 2013 for the Asian market. It includes a matte black carbon fiber tail wing, matt black carbon-fiber engine cover, yellow body color, high gloss carbon fiber door pedal, rear diffuser, rearview mirror cover; red ceramic carbon-fiber brake caliper, Alcantara interior upholstery, 'Super Trofeo Asia' plaque at red rear window frame interior border with
1564-650: Is a race car version of the Gallardo LP 570-4 for the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo series. It features adjustable aerodynamic devices, a ten-position rear wing, and improved front brake cooling over the 2012 Gallardo via remodeled brake ducts. The vehicle was unveiled at the final round of the 2012 Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo European series in Los Arcos, Navarra. Unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show ,
1656-452: Is an iconic sports car of the early 1960s, due to its attractive styling and claimed top speed of 241 km/h (150 mph). The E-type was produced for 14 years and was initially powered by a six-cylinder engine, followed by a V12 engine for the final generation. In 1962, the MG B introduced a new era of affordable lightweight four-cylinder roadsters. The MG B used a unibody construction and
1748-406: Is notable for using a three-seat layout, where the front row consists of a centrally-located driver's seat. The location of the engine and driven wheels significantly influence the handling characteristics of a car and are therefore crucial in the design of a sports car. Traditionally, most sports cars have used rear-wheel drive with the engine either located at the front ( FR layout ) or in
1840-465: The 2012 Paris Motor Show , followed by the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show (in which a Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder Edizione Technica in Grigio Telesto paint scheme was unveiled). The vehicles were available at Lamborghini dealerships from November 2012. Early models include the LP 550-2 (Coupé/Spyder), LP 560-4 (Coupé/Spyder), LP 570-4 (Superleggera/Spyder Performante). The 2013 LP 570-4 Super Trofeo
1932-520: The Audi RS 2 Avant . Ford Europe withdrew from the sports car market at the end of 1986 when the Capri was discontinued after a production run of nearly two decades. There was no direct successor, as Ford was concentrating on higher-performance versions of its hatchback and saloon models at the time. In 1989, a new generation of Lotus Elan roadster was released which used a front-wheel drive layout,
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#17327804213992024-541: The BMW 303 , Citroën Traction Avant and Fiat 508 — offered similar handling and comfort to the more expensive sports cars. Powerful, reliable, and economical (although softly suspended) American saloons began to be imported to Europe in significant numbers. Sports car ownership was increased through models such as the Austin 7 and Wolseley Hornet six , however many of these sports cars did not offer any performance upgrades over
2116-623: The Bentley Speed Six (1928-1930), with the former famously described by Bugatti's founder as "the fastest lorry in the world". Between the Great Depression and the World War II the pre-war era was a period of decline in importance for sports car manufacturers, although the period was not devoid of advances, for example streamlining . Cheap, light-weight family sedans with independent front suspension— such as
2208-520: The Jensen FF became the first sports car to use all-wheel drive . The Ford Capri is a 2+2 coupe that was produced from 1968 to 1986 and intended to be a smaller European equivalent of the Ford Mustang. A main rival to the Capri was Opel Manta , which was produced from 1970 to 1988. The 1973-1978 Lancia Stratos was a mid-engined two-seat coupe that was powered by a Ferrari V6 engine. This
2300-544: The Salerno-Reggio Calabria highway, also under the powers of the special safety operative which is already being employed along that tract of the highway and, above all, for the transport of body organs destined for transplantation. However, both of the cars were destroyed in the course of duty. When the Huracán , Gallardo's successor, was introduced, Lamborghini S.p.A. produced a personalized version for
2392-651: The V10 powered Gallardo has been Lamborghini's sales leader and stable-mate to a succession of V12 flagship models—first to the Murciélago (4,099 built between 2001 and 2010), then to the Aventador , being the first entry-level Lamborghini in one-and-half decades. On 25 November 2013, the last Gallardo was rolled off the production line. The Gallardo was replaced by the Huracán in 2014. After Megatech purchased Automobili Lamborghini S.P.A in 1994, Italdesign Giugiaro
2484-583: The "thrill of driving" or are marketed "using the excitement of speed and the glamour of the (race)track" However, other people have more specific definitions, such as "must be a two-seater or a 2+2 seater" or a car with two seats only. In the United Kingdom, early recorded usage of the "sports car" was in The Times newspaper in 1919. The first known use of the term in the United States
2576-403: The 1905 Isotta Fraschini Tipo D, the 1906 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost , the 1908 Delage , the 1910 Bugatti Type 13 , and the 1912 DFP 12/15 . Early motor racing events included the 1903 Paris–Madrid race , the 1905-1907 Herkomer Trophy, the 1908-1911 Prince Henry Tour and the 1911–present Monte Carlo Rally . The Prince Henry Tours (which were similar to modern car rallies) were among
2668-495: The 1921 Coppa Florio . Another approach— such as that used by Morris Garages— was to convert touring cars into sports cars. The first 24 Hours of Le Mans race for sports cars was held in 1923, although the two-seat sports cars only competed in the smallest class, with the majority of cars entered being four-seat fast touring cars. "This race, together with the Tourist Trophy Series of Races , organised after
2760-404: The 1948 Ferrari 166 S . A new concept altogether was the modern Gran Turismo class from Italy, which was in effect unknown before the war: sustained high-speed motoring from relatively modest engine size and compact closed or berlinetta coachwork. The 1947 Maserati A6 1500 two-seat berlinetta was the first production model from Maserati. In Germany, the motor industry was devastated by
2852-499: The 1980 Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft and Giro d'Italia automobilistico marathon. The Montecarlo was a basis for the silhouette racing car , Lancia Rally 037 . In the 1970s, turbocharging began to be adopted by sports cars, such as the BMW 2002 Turbo in 1973, the first Porsche 911 Turbo in 1975, and the Saab 99 Turbo in 1978. Turbocharging became increasingly popular in the 1980s, from relatively affordable coupes such as
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2944-452: The 1980–1986 Renault Fuego and 1992–1996 Rover 220 Coupé Turbo , to expensive supercars such as the 1984-1987 Ferrari 288 GTO and 1987-1992 Ferrari F40 . In the late 1980s and early 1990s, several manufacturers developed supercars that competed for production car top speed records . These cars included the 1986–1993 Porsche 959 , 1991–1995 Bugatti EB 110 , 1992–1994 Jaguar XJ220 and 1993–998 McLaren F1 . The 1980-1995 Audi Quattro
3036-506: The 1990s, all-wheel drive has become more common in sports cars. All-wheel drive offers better acceleration and favorable handling characteristics (especially in slippery conditions), but is often heavier and more mechanically complex than traditional layouts. Examples of all-wheel drive sports cars are the Lamborghini Huracan , Bugatti Veyron , and Nissan GT-R . Rear engine layouts are not typical for sports cars, with
3128-584: The Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni was named after Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni and to his request, unlike the contemporary line-up, the Balboni is rear wheel drive , reducing the curb weight by 30 kg (66 lb) to 1,470 kg (3,241 lb). The engine is rated at 550 PS (405 kW; 542 hp). Other features include re-calibrated optional E-gear transmission, redeveloped 45% limited-slip differential, full leather black upholstery with white color strips, Polar white center console,
3220-543: The Gallardo Super Trofeo parts (front/rear bumpers, adjustable rear wing, and diffuser, front skirt, detachable carbon fiber engine cover), orange body color, hexagon '63' decal and Tricolore stripes throughout the whole vehicle. The vehicle was unveiled at the Lamborghini Taipei event between 26 December 2013 and 30 December 2013 and went on sale for $ 16 million NTD. The Gallardo Super Trofeo
3312-491: The Gallardo Superleggera. The name paid tribute to the construction style of the first Lamborghini production model, the 350 GT , designed and built by Carrozzeria Touring and its emphasis on weight reduction. The Superleggera is lighter than the base model by 100 kg (220 lb) due to the use of carbon fiber panels for the rear diffuser, undertray, the rearview-mirror housings, the interior door panels,
3404-474: The Italian police force serving as the replacement of the destroyed cars. The Gallardo LP 560-4 Polizia is a police car version of the Gallardo LP 560-4 coupé for the Italian State Police. It features a camera recording system featuring a camera beside the rearview mirror, GPS navigation, a gun holster, a police radio, a Paletta warning sign, a portable screen, a refrigerator and defibrillator in
3496-517: The LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni can reach a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph) and reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds. The Gallardo LP 560-4 Gold Edition (金色限量版) is a limited (10 units) version of the Gallardo LP 560-4 for the Chinese market, with gold body color, black engine cover frame, LED headlamps, Cordelia glossy wheels, red brake calipers, black interior, red stitching and embroidery at steering wheel and headrest. The vehicle
3588-429: The LP 550-2 includes revised front fascias with triangular and trapezoidal forms with diagonal elements in body color and black, larger air intakes ahead of the front wheels, new 19-inch "Apollo polished" alloy wheels in matte black with spokes in polished silver, redesigned rear end with a wider surface area, optional Style Package (high-gloss black paintwork on the underside of the front spoiler, front and rear grilles and
3680-536: The LP 560-4 Bicolore went on sale on 10 March 2011. The LP 550-2 Super Trofeo is a version of the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni for the Hong Kong market. It does not include the center stripe of the original car. It includes an e-Gear transmission, Super Trofeo body kit (tail wing, front and tail diffuser, side skirts), front and side airbags, TFT screen with USB/iPod connection, GPS with Bluetooth, front axle height control. The Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Asia (亞洲限量版)
3772-545: The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse is a limited production (50 units, 15 in USA, 3 in Canada) street-legal version of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo 2013 race car. It features a removable engine cover with quick-release system, different front and rear bumpers, rear wing and the engine cover made from carbon composite material, carbon-ceramic brake system, e-gear six-speed transmission with, tricolore decals on
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3864-499: The Le Moût restaurant between 6 December 2010 and 9 December 2010, with a Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera Nero Nemesis unveiled at the 1st-floor lounge of The Landis Taipei hotel. In addition, for Lamborghini buyers using an American Express card until 31 December 2010, all Lamborghini vehicles got an order price of 2 million NTD, and Lamborghini LP 570-4 Superleggera Nero Nemesis buyers using an American Express Centurion card can purchase
3956-468: The Mercedes Simplex 60 hp— were production fast touring cars. The 1912 Hispano-Suiza Alfonso XIII is also considered one of the earliest sports cars, as it was a "purpose built, high performance, two-seater production automobile". The model was named after King Alfonso XIII of Spain , a patron of the car's chief designer and an enthusiast for the marque. Other early sports cars include
4048-578: The Super Trofeo series cars. This one-off Balboni was viewed as the predecessor to the Singapore Edition limited run LP 550-2 (see below) which had a stripped out Superleggera interior, Superleggera side skirts, rear deck, rear diffuser and front bumper (sans Superleggera rear wing) but which critically was a 2wd car which catered to the enthusiast driver. This special Balboni was exported from Singapore to Indonesia in 2015. Lamborghini claims
4140-470: The Superleggera was limited to 618 units worldwide. Lamborghini recalled about 1,500 Gallardo Coupé and Spyder models, from model years 2004 to 2006, because of the possibility of power steering fluid leaking and the risk of fire. The cars were built from May 2003 through April 2008. Presented at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show , the Gallardo LP 560-4 was a significant update of the Gallardo, powered by
4232-484: The UK. The first US car was sold in the 16th Annual Race to Erase MS charity auction for $ 198,000 to former True Religion Jeans co-founder/co-creator Kymberly Gold and music producer Victor Newman. The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder was unveiled at the 2008 LA Auto Show . as the replacement for the previous Gallardo Spyder. It is the convertible model of the Gallardo LP 560-4 and as such possess all of its features like
4324-479: The car appeared during the next year or two, all conforming to the same basic design and earning for themselves a reputation second to none for fast and reliable travel. The 60-h.p. cars were announced late in 1902. The cars were possessed of a very real performance superior to anything else which could be bought at the time... and the model achieved an almost invincible position among the fast cars of its day. The Sports Car: Development and Design The basis for
4416-410: The central tunnel, engine cover; titanium wheel nuts and carbon fibre sports seats. The engine power was uprated by 10 PS (7 kW; 10 hp) courtesy of an improved intake, exhaust and ECU for a total power output of 530 PS (390 kW; 523 hp). The 6-speed E-Gear transmission was standard on US spec models with the 6-speed manual transmission offered as a no cost option. Production of
4508-541: The customer in the Ad Personam program. It features special matte black body panels and was only available in a special shade of black: 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. Limited to 250 units,
4600-411: The development of performance cars such as the 1910 Vauxhall Prince Henry , 1910 Sunbeam 12/16 , 1910 Talbot 25 hp , 1910 Straker-Squire 15 hp and 1913 Star 15.9 hp . Following the halt in sports car production caused by World War I , Europe returned to manufacturing automobiles from around 1920. It was around this time that the term 'Sports Car' began to appear in the motor catalogues, although
4692-574: The driver, and all-wheel drive Lamborghinis from the beginning and the company was divided over AWD cars. In that review, an LP 550–2 with E-Gear was tested. As part of the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera launch in Taiwan, Jean-Michel Lorain of the La Côte Saint Jacques restaurant was invited by Taiwan Lamborghini dealer Gramus International Co., Ltd. and Taiwan American Express company to cook French meals at The Landis Taipei Paris 1930 between 1 December 2010 and 4 December 2010, and at
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#17327804213994784-400: The early 1920s, the cost to produce a racing car was not significantly higher than a road car, therefore several manufacturers used the design from the current year's racing car for the next year's sports car. For example, the 1921 Ballot 2LS based on the racing car that finished third at the 1921 French Grand Prix. The Benz 28/95PS was also a successful racing car, with victories including
4876-463: The exact origin of the name is not known. The decade that followed became known as the vintage era and featured rapid technical advances over the preceding Brass Era cars . Engine performance benefited from the abandonment of " tax horsepower " (where vehicles were taxed based on bore and number of cylinders, rather than actual power output) and the introduction of leaded fuel , which increased power by allowing for higher compression ratios . In
4968-430: The exterior design and the traditional V10 engine . The car name is taken from the 18th century Spanish bullfighting breeder Francisco Gallardo. It means "gallant". The original Gallardo was powered with an even firing 4,961 cc (5.0 L) 90 degree V10 engine generating a maximum power output of 500 PS (368 kW; 493 hp) at 7500 rpm and 510 N⋅m (376 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4500 RPM. The Gallardo
5060-472: The first supercars . Other significant European models of the 1960s and 1970s which might be considered supercars today are the Ferrari 250 GTO (1962-1964), Ferrari 250 GT Lusso (1963-1964), Ferrari 275 GTB/4 (1966-1968), Maserati Ghibli (1967-1973), Ferrari Daytona (1968-1973), Dino 246 (1969-1974), De Tomaso Pantera (1971-1993), Ferrari 308 GTB (1975-1980) and BMW M1 (1978-1981). In 1966,
5152-528: The first World War by the R.A.C. , appealed to the public imagination and offered to the manufacturers of the more sporting cars an excellent opportunity for boosting sales of their products." The classic Italian road races— the Targa Florio , and the Mille Miglia (first held in 1927)— also captured the public's imagination. By 1925, the higher profits available for four-seater cars resulted in
5244-606: The front cargo compartment, blu Polizia body color, a police beacon with blue LEDs at the vehicle's front, roof, side, and rear. Two Gallardos have temporarily been used as police cars by the Metropolitan Police in London, one in 2005 and one in 2006, for specific publicity events. The car used in 2006 was seen at the start of the 2006 Gumball Rally . Both vehicles were lent by Lamborghini London and were fitted with yellow and blue battenburg markings , police logos, and
5336-573: The late 1920s were AC Cars , Alfa Romeo , Alvis , Amilcar , Bignan and Samson, Chenard-Walcker , Delage , Hispano-Suiza , Hotchkiss , Mercedes-Benz and Nazzaro . Two cars from the Vintage Era that would influence sports cars for many years were the Austin Seven and MG M-type "Midget". Successful sports cars from Bentley during this era were the Bentley 3 Litre (1921-1929) and
5428-639: The limited edition Gallardo SE. The convertible variant of the Gallardo, called the Gallardo Spyder, was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. It was considered by the company to be an entirely new model, with the engine having a power output of 520 PS (382 kW; 513 hp) and a low-ratio six-speed manual transmission. The Spyder has a retractable soft-top. At the 2007 Geneva Auto Show , Lamborghini unveiled
5520-518: The mass-produced cars upon which they were based. The highest selling sports car company of the 1930s was Morris Garages , who produced 'MG Midget' models of the M-Type , J-Type , P-Type and T-Type . The K3 version of the K-Type Magnette was a successful racing car, achieving success in the Mille Miglia , Tourist Trophy and 24 Hours of Le Mans . The Bugatti Type 57 (1934-1940)
5612-416: The middle of the center console, the lower rim of the steering wheel, the trim around the main and secondary instrument panels, the door handles, the handle for opening the glove box) and Alcantara (at the underside of the dashboard, central panel of the seat cushion and the backrest) interior upholstery, bucket seats (optional comfort seats). The rear wing was reported to produce three times more downforce than
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#17327804213995704-537: The middle of the vehicle ( MR layout ). Examples of FR layout sports cars include the Caterham 7 , Mazda MX-5 , and the Dodge Viper . Examples of MR layout sports cars are the Ferrari 488 , Ford GT , and Toyota MR2 . To avoid a front-heavy weight distribution , many FR layout sports cars are designed so that the engine is located further back in the engine bay, as close to the firewall as possible. Since
5796-544: The most common layout for sports cars was a roadster (a two-seat car without a fixed roof). However, there are also several examples of early sports cars with four seats. Sports cars are not usually intended to transport more than two adult occupants regularly, so most modern sports cars are generally two-seat or 2+2 layout (two smaller rear seats for children or occasional adult use). Larger cars with more spacious rear-seat accommodation are usually considered sports sedans rather than sports cars. The 1993-1998 McLaren F1
5888-400: The new uneven firing 5.2 L (320 cu in) V10 engine , improved E-gear transmission and 20 kg (44 lb) weight reduction. Performance has been improved to 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.8 seconds, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) of 13.1 and a top speed of 324 km/h (201 mph). In March 2010, Lamborghini announced the release of the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera,
5980-809: The notable exception of the Porsche 911 . The front-wheel drive layout with the engine at the front ( FF layout ) is generally the most common for cars, but it is not as common among traditional sports cars. Nonetheless, the FF layout is used by sport compacts and hot hatches such as the Mazdaspeed3 . Sports cars with an FF layout include the Fiat Barchetta , Saab Sonett , or Opel Tigra . The ancestor of all high-performance cars had its origin in Germany. The 28-h.p. Cannstatt-Daimler racing car of 1899
6072-456: The philosophy of achieving performance through minimizing weight and has been rated as one of the top 10 sports cars of the 1960s. The Elan featured fibreglass bodies, a backbone chassis, and overhead camshaft engines. A different style of roadster was the AC Cobra , released in 1962, which was fitted with V8 engines up to 7.0 L (427 cu in) in size by Shelby . The Porsche 911
6164-423: The production of two-seat sports cars being limited to smaller manufacturers such as Aston-Martin (350 Astons built from 1921 to 1939) and Frazer-Nash (323 cars built from 1924 to 1939). Then by the late 1920s, the cost of producing racing cars (especially Grand Prix cars) escalated, causing more manufacturers to produce cars for the growing sports car market instead. Significant manufacturers of sports cars in
6256-471: The serial number, red stitching, carbon fiber upholstery at door trim, racing seats, center console. Sports car A sports car is a type of car that is designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling , acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving, and racing capability. Sports cars originated in Europe in the early 1910s and are currently produced by many manufacturers around
6348-423: The sides. It was available in 4 body colors (Giallo Midas (yellow), Bianco Monocerus (white), Grigio Thalasso (grey) and Rosso Mars (red)), matte black rear wing with contrasts in body color, hood, front air intakes, rear diffuser and 19-inch forged wheels in high-gloss black; choice of three brake caliper colors (red, black, yellow), carbon fiber (at door panels, racing seats and center console cover, handbrake frame,
6440-558: The sporting events of the period, bringing renown to successful entrants. The Prince Henry Tours started the evolution of reasonably large and technically advanced production sports cars. In England, the development of sporting cars was inhibited by the Motor Car Act 1903 , which imposed a speed limit of 20 mph (32 km/h) on all public roads. This led to the 1907 opening of the Brooklands motor circuit , which inspired
6532-408: The sports car is traced to the early 20th century touring cars and roadsters , and the term 'sports car' would not be coined until after World War One. A car considered to be "a sports-car years ahead of its time" is the 1903 Mercedes Simplex 60 hp , described at the time as a fast touring car and designed by Wilhelm Maybach and Paul Daimler . The Mercedes included pioneering features such as
6624-476: The sports car, but also the most important and diverse technical developments [and] very rapid and genuine improvement in the qualities of every modern production car; assisted by new design and manufacturing techniques a consistently higher level of handling properties has been achieved." In Italy, a small but wealthy market segment allowed for the manufacture of a limited number of high-performance models directly allied to contemporary Grand Prix machines, such as
6716-702: The standard Gallardo's electronically adjusted spoiler. The US model was offered in Giallo Midas color only. Deliveries of the vehicle began in September 2013. The Gallardo LP 560-4 Macau GP is a limited (3 units) version of the Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupé for the Taiwan market, commemorating Hanss Lin (#38) of the Taiwan-based Gama Racing Team taking 2nd place in the Macau race of the 2013 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia series. Changes include
6808-429: The steering wheel, but can also change to an automatic mode via the gear selector located in place of the gear shift lever. The vehicle was designed by Luc Donckerwolke and was based on the 1995 Calà prototype designed by Italdesign Giugiaro . For the 2006 model year (launched in late 2005), Lamborghini introduced many changes to the car to counter some criticisms garnered from the press and owners. The exhaust system
6900-544: The transverse element of the rear trim). The LP 570-4 Edizione Tecnica was based on the LP 570-4 Superleggera and the LP 570-4 Spyder Performante, with a fixed rear wing, carbon-ceramic brakes, roof arch and front air intakes painted in contrasting color schemes (Nero Nemesis (matt black) body with Arancio Argos (orange) pillars and front air intakes, Bianco Canopus (matt white) body with Arancio Argos pillars and front air intakes, and Arancio Argos body with Nero Nemesis pillars and front air intakes). The vehicles were unveiled at
6992-469: The vehicle for 17,880,000 NTD. At the end of its production run, Lamborghini produced special editions of the Gallardo featuring parts from its Gallardo Super Trofeo race cars. These editions were based on all the basic variants of the Gallardo and the cars receiving such modifications were given the Edizione Technica designation in addition to their names. Changes to the Gallardo LP 560-4 and
7084-478: The war, but a small number of manufacturers returned it to prominence. In 1948, the Porsche 356 was released as the debut model from Porsche. The significance of the Porsche 356 and its successors was described in 1957 as "future historians must see them as among the most important of mid-century production cars". The 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is another significant car from this era. The 1961 Jaguar E-Type
7176-417: The world. Definitions of sports cars often relate to how the car design is optimised for dynamic performance, without any specific minimum requirements; both a Triumph Spitfire and Ferrari 488 Pista can be considered sports cars, despite vastly different levels of performance. Broader definitions of sports cars include cars "in which performance takes precedence over carrying capacity", or that emphasise
7268-415: Was a pioneering all-wheel drive sports car. The 1995 Porsche 911 Turbo (993) saw the 911 Turbo model switch to all-wheel drive, a drivetrain layout that the model uses to this day. The BMW M3 was released in 1986 and has been produced for every generation since. The 1993-1996 Mercedes-Benz W124 E36 AMG was the mass-produced AMG model. Audi's equivalent division, called "RS", was launched in 1994 with
7360-635: Was an unusual arrangement for a car used to compete in rallying, nonetheless it was very successful and won the World Rally Championship in 1974 , 1975 , and 1976 . The Lancia Montecarlo was produced from 1975 to 1981 and is a mid-engine two-seater, available as a coupé or a targa-top. It was sold as Lancia Scorpion in the USA. Its racing variant, Montecarlo Turbo, won the 1979 World Championship for Makes in its division and overall for 1980 World Championship for Makes and 1981 World Endurance Championship for Makes . Montecarlo also won
7452-627: Was another significant sports car of the pre-war era and is now among the most valuable cars in the world. The T57 was successful in sports car races, including winning the 1937 24 Hours of Le Mans and 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans . Another successful Bugatti sports car was the Bugatti Type 55 (1932-1935), which was based on the Type 51 Grand Prix racing car. The decade following the Second World War saw an "immense growth of interest in
7544-437: Was changed to a more sporty one (including a flap to make it quieter during city driving), the suspension was revised, a new steering rack was fitted, the engine power was increased by 20 PS to a maximum of 520 PS (382 kW; 513 hp), and the biggest change was overall lower gearing ratios, especially in 1st to 5th gear. These changes gave the car a much better performance than the original and were also included in
7636-716: Was hired to design concept cars to replace their existing cars. One of the concepts built by them was the Lamborghini Calà , built to replace the Lamborghini Jalpa and was displayed at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show . After the Volkswagen AG took hold of the company in 1998, the Lamborghini Gallardo was built on the basis of the Calà and had many features absorbed from the concept car such as
7728-485: Was in 1928. Sports cars started to become popular during the 1920s. The term initially described two-seat roadsters (cars without a fixed roof), however, since the 1970s the term has also been used for cars with a fixed roof (which were previously considered grand tourers ). Attributing the definition of 'sports car' to any particular model can be controversial or the subject of debate among enthusiasts. Authors and experts have often contributed their ideas to capture
7820-443: Was offered with two choices of transmission; a conventional (H-pattern) six-speed manual transmission , and a six-speed electro-hydraulically actuated single-clutch automated manual transmission that Lamborghini called "E-gear". Both gearboxes were built by Graziano Trasmissioni . The "E-gear" transmission provides gear changes more quickly than could be achieved through a manual shift. The driver shifts up and down via paddles behind
7912-694: Was produced until 1980. Other successful lightweight roadsters include the Triumph Spitfire (1962-1980) and the Alfa Romeo Spider (1966-1993). The Fiat X1/9 (1972-1989) was unusual for its use of a mid-engine design in an affordable roadster model. A late entrant to the affordable roadster market was the 1975 Triumph TR7 , however by the late 1970s the demand for this style of car was in decline, resulting in production ceasing in 1982. The original Lotus Elan (1962-1975) two-seat coupe and roadster models are an early commercial success for
8004-517: Was redesigned, inspired by the Murciélago LP 640 and its derivative model the Reventón . The new engine, 40 PS (29 kW; 39 hp) more powerful than in the previous car, comes with two transmission choices: a 6-speed manual or 6-speed E-gear, the latter of which was revised to offer a Corsa mode which makes 40% quicker shifts than before and decreases traction control restrictions,
8096-675: Was released in 1964 and has remained in production since. The 911 is notable for its use of the uncommon rear-engine design and the use of a flat-six engine . Another successful rear-engine sports car was the original Alpine A110 (1961-1977), which was a successful rally car during the Group 4 era. In 1965, the BMW New Class Coupes were released, leading to the BMW 6 Series which remains in production to this day. The Lamborghini Miura (1966) and Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (1967) mid-engined high-performance cars are often cited as
8188-419: Was unveiled at the 2012 Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macau International Auto Show, and was sold for 3.988 million yuan (US$ 810,000). The Bicolore is a special edition of the Gallardo, available in both LP 560-4 and LP 550-2 trims. Released in 2010 it features a unique two-tone paint job. The car was available only in orange, yellow, grey, white or blue with a black roof with unique Skorplus alloy wheels. Taiwan model of
8280-471: Was unveiled in Balboni Ginza Tower. Marrone Apus (matte brown), Giallo Horus (matte gold), Nero Nemesis (matte black), Bianco Canopus (matte white) body colors were introduced to the Taiwan market on 10 August 2010. In a test drive of the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni, the test driver bearing the name of the car said he was against E-gear because it takes some amount of vehicle control away from
8372-470: Was used in the 2012 Race of Champions . In December 2004, two Gallardos were donated to the Italian Polizia di Stato in honor of the force's 152nd anniversary. One car was donated by Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. while a second one was donated by an independent organization. The Gallardo police cars were used by the traffic police ( Polizia Stradale ) during emergencies and alarm situations on
8464-417: Was without a doubt the first attempt to give real performance to a road car. Many of its features, such as a honeycomb radiator and gate gear change, were continued on the much improved version which Paul Daimler designed in 1899-1900. This was of course the famous Mercedes. It also laid down standards of chassis design which were to be followed, almost unthinkingly, for the next thirty years. Several variants of
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