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[spyshots]Lamborghini Gallardo (mini murcielago)
mini murcielago 
An affordable Lamborghini? Well, these things are relative, but this coupe, the Gallardo, is set to be significantly cheaper than the £161,000 Murcielago. This will be partly down to some cost-cutting measures from Lamborghini's parent company Audi: the Gallardo, codenamed L140, is to share many of its components, if not its entire platform, with an upcoming Audi model. So there's not one super-coupe on the way from the company but two - Audi's version, said to be called RSR, is the production version of the Project Rosemeyer concept car, though more conventionally styled. That model, rumoured to be fitted with Quattro four-wheel drive, six-speed tiptronic transmission and a next-generation 5.0-litre or 6.0-litre V10 engine, will make its public debut at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, and go on sale mid-2004.
Meanwhile this car, the Gallardo, is also scheduled for unveiling next year, though it is likely to precede the RSR. It will be targeted directly at the Ferrari 360 Modena and Porsche 911 GT2, and estimates as to its price point to around £95,000-£100,000. Like the RSR, it will feature an aluminium spaceframe construction and aluminium exterior 'skin', put together at Audi's quattro GmbH works in Neckarsulm, but its final assembly will take place at Sant'Agata, the real home of Lamborghini. Insiders hint at a version of the V10 delivering over 550 bhp (more than the Audi) and an overall weight of just 1400kg.L
To set the Gallardo apart from the Murcielago, it will have conventionally-opening doors, and it will have a relatively discreet rear spoiler which raises itself at high speeds. Effectively a 2+2 with a little rear bench seat, it should be quite roomy and as spacious inside as the Murcielago. Working on the design team is thought to be ex-SEAT man Walter de Silva and new Lamborghini design chief Luc Donckerwolke, with significant input from ItalDesign. The Gallardo will be more uncompromisingly sporting than the RSR, the latter targeted more towards luxury coupes like the Mercedes-Benz CL than out-and-out supercars.
Estimates for production volumes of the Gallardo vary from 750 cars a year to 1300, but even if it is nearer the latter, it is set to be very rare and very desirable. The Audi RSR will be made in slightly larger numbers, but of course, will be pretty desirable too.
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Props To Huby
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10-19-2002 01:07 AM
