With all the buzz about electric supercars at the Geneva show, you can almost forget it’s possible to buy an old fashioned V-10 screamer these days. Enter the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera.

Instead of adding electronics and complexity, Lamborghini would rather reduce weight and increase horsepower. So we’ve got 562 hp to move a mere 2954 pounds of carbon fiber and aluminum around your favorite back roads. Naturally Lamborghini will let customers add a navigation system or the brand’s signature front end lifting system for people who aren’t afraid to negate the weight savings of the Superleggera package.

In addition to being faster than the old Gallardo Superleggera (the 570-4 does 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds) the LP570-4 is also easier on the environment; CO2 emissions are down 20% and fuel economy is up by 2 mpg (to 14 mpg in the city!) for the automatic transmission cars. And the car will top out at 202 mph if you can find enough open road, so performance certainly isn’t sacrificed for fuel economy.

If you aren’t willing to consider a hybrid just yet, Lamborghini may be your best bet for a slightly more socially conscious supercar. Even if you don’t particularly care about the environmental benefits, it’s nice to see an automaker offering a lighter version of a production car. We can all agree with that plan.

Source: [Automobile Magazine]

On February 11, 2010, Petro Frigerio, Chief Operating Officer of  Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., together with Lamborghini car designer Valentino Balboni and other top American and Italian Lamborghini executives joined Larry Morgan and Victor Young for Morgan Auto Group’s exclusive Grand Opening of Lamborghini Sarasota located at 5145 Clark Road in South Sarasota, Florida.  Lamborghini Sarasota is one of 31 exclusive Lamborghini dealerships in North America with certified Lamborghini technicians trained at Lamborghini’s headquarters in Sant’ Agata Bolognese, Italy.

Lamborghini Sarasota’s Grand Opening was held in conjunction with the ninth annual Sarasota Exotic Car Show weekend that benefits the Child Protection Center. Car enthusiasts nationwide attend the Sarasota Exotic Car show for the opportunity to see Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, Aston Martins, Bugatti Veyrons, and other rare luxury cars.  Lamborghini Sarasota’s Grand Opening festivities started Thursday morning with interviews on local networks and continued with a live news feed of Lamborghini Sarasota’s Grand Opening Thursday night.  Over 350 invited guests attended the event that included live music by the jazz group City Heat, Italian hors d’ oeuvres as well as a Callezione runway fashion show that debuted the most recent fashions from Lamborghini’s Winter/Spring 2010 clothing line.   Lamborghini Sarasota, with its catwalk and sleek marble and leather accoutrements, provided the perfect setting for guests to enjoy smooth jazz, Italian cuisine and see the latest clothing line from Lamborghini.   During regular business hours the catwalk features the latest Lamborghini automobile models and the showroom brings Lamborghini’s style and elegance to Morgan Auto Group’s latest jewel, Lamborghini Sarasota.

About Lamborghini

Founded in 1963, Automobili Lamborghini is headquartered in Sant’ Agata Bolognese, in Northeastern Italy and manufactures some of the world’s most sought-after super sports cars. With 31 dealerships in North America and over 125 worldwide, Automobili Lamborghini has created a succession of dynamic and elegant super sports cars including the Miura, Islero, Urraco, 350GT, Espada, Countach, Diablo, Murciélago LP 640, Murciélago LP 640 Roadster, Gallardo SE, Gallardo Superleggera, Reventón Coupe, Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupé and Spyder, Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni and the recently introduced Reventón Roadster.

Automobili Lamborghini announced today that production total of the Lamborghini Murcielago has reached 4,000 and also reporting that Murcielago number 4,000 has been sold to a buyer in China.

That production total makes the Lamborghini Murcielago the top selling V-12-powered model in Lamborghini history. The Murcielago’s predecessor and the poster boy of exotic cars in the ’90s, the Lamborghini Diablo, sold only 2,700. Before that, the poster on the wall alongside Farah Fawcett had a picture of the Lamborghini Countach, in production from 1974 to 1990, with just over 2000 sold. The Lamborghini Espada, from 1968 through 1978, was the preceding sales leader, with 1,217 total.

The landmark Lamborhini Murcielago is a lightweight version of the Murceilago LP 640, the Murcielago SuperVeloce LP 670-4. The car was painted orange Arancione Atlas, with black bucket seats with orange trim.

Lamborghini reports that the car will be delivered to Lamborghini’s showroom in Hangzhou.

That Lamborghini chose this particular Lamborghini to be number 4,000 because of politics and marketing. Automobili Lamborghini has a sales affiliate and seven dealers in China, the Pacific-Asian area representing a quarter of Lamborghini’s sales. Murcielago number 4,000 is more than just about numbers.

Source: [Examiner]

Swiss luxury watchmaker Tag Heuer has partnered with Italian super sports car manufacturer Lamborghini to create the limited edition MERIDIIST Automobili Lamborghini mobile phone.

Automobili Lamborghini was founded in 1963, which inspired the partnership to come up with the idea to produce only 1,963 units. Steve Amstutz, General Manager for TAG Heuer Communication Instruments, said, “TAG Heuer has revolutionized first timekeeping and now luxury mobile phone industry by finding technological inspiration in professional motor sports and Grand Tourism cars.”

The MERIDIIST mobile phone got its inspiration from the Lamborghini Murcielago sportscar. The phone is housed in black titanium carbide coated 316L stainless steel and the display is made from 60.5 carats of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. If the name or the design doesn’t interest you, wait until you hear about the battery life.

It is capable of seven hours talk time or 28 days standby power. Featured on the phone’s battery cover is the same signature that can be found on the Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640’s V12 engine block. At the back of the device, a limited edition number is engraved while the keyboard is customized with Automobili Lamborghini’s trademark Taurus bull on the steel central button.

Source: [4 Wheels News]

The votes have been counted and the results are in! Over 30, 630 individuals logged on to livingouteast.com to vote for the Best of Out East for 2009. Voters nominated businesses in 28 categories, ranging from the best fine dining restaurant, the best doctors, the best bank, the best community and more. 

BMW of Sarasota, part of the Morgan Auto Group, prides itself on the absolute highest levels of customer service and satisfaction. It’s no wonder readers of Living Out East & On the Bay Magazine have voted BMW of Sarasota the Best Local Import Car Dealer in 2009. Discerning automotive buyers in Sarasota have come to trust BMW of Sarasota, and every dealership in the Morgan Auto Group, over the years to provide the best experience when looking for a new or used vehicle. 

The Morgan Auto Group includes BMW of Sarasota, Lamborghini Sarasota, Toyota of Tampa Bay, Honda of Ocala, Wade Raulerson Buick Pontiac GMC and Wade Raulerson Honda.

He has long been revered as one of the many legends surrounding the world’s most uncompromising sports car brand – Valentino Balboni, a remarkable test driver with his own personal cult status. Automobili Lamborghini now presents a model in his honor and bearing his name – the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni.

The latest version of the Gallardo, Lamborghini’s most successful model of all time – overall, more than 9,000 units of the model range have already been produced – boasts not only its own distinctive design and exclusive equipment, but its technology is unique too, as indicated by the model badge: the 550 stands for the power output in hp and the 2 is for rear wheel drive.

For several decades, Valentino Balboni has had a distinct influence on the character of the super sports car bearing the sign of the bull. With his fine-tuning and testing work, he has helped to shape many automotive legends, from the Lamborghini Miura of the 60s through to the current Gallardo and Murciélago models. Balboni was hired in 1967 by company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini himself. From early on, it was evident that the young Balboni had a special feel for cars, that most sensitive of all instincts that connects to the ‘life blood’ of an automobile and defines the soul of a test driver.

“A Lamborghini must always combine the precision of a race car with the reliability of a good friend,” says Balboni. Since 1973, he has sat at the wheel of every prototype built by the brand, and even most production cars have passed through his hands before being delivered to their customers. This has turned Balboni into one of the most important representatives of the brand, with an outstanding reputation and status among the brand’s fans and customers worldwide.

Limited to 250 units

After over 40 years with Lamborghini, Balboni is now officially retired. Yet, Valentino Balboni continues to travel to many countries around the world as an ambassador of the brand.
The special exclusivity of the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni is guaranteed – it is limited to 250 units.

Light-footed yet extremely safe

With this latest version of the Gallardo, Lamborghini is honoring 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 overseer 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, stabilizers and even the tires. 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 liter 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 emphasized by a color 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 color treatment underscores the powerful elegance of the Gallardo and emphasizes the unique Lamborghini design DNA. The Special Edition is available in eight colors, from Bianco Monocerus through to Verde Ithaca, or Arancio Borealis to Nero Noctis. The Scorpius wheels retain their dark grey finish, while the brake calipers come in black, orange or yellow, depending on the exterior paint finish.

Classic sporting look for the interior, too

The characteristic color combination is repeated in the interior. The basic color of the full leather upholstery is black. Both seats, however, feature the color 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.

Add cheer this holiday season with a range of gift-boxed candles and ceramic baubles. Included in the box set are three ceramic baubles, finished in contrasting Blue Caelum and White Monocerus. A set of slow-burning candles in the same colors are also available.

Inspired by the recently released Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni, these limited edition holiday decorations feature two of the eight colors used on the vehicle dedicated to the legendary test driver.

Lamborghini hasn’t left its Reventon Roadster fans out in the cold, with a new clothing line that includes sweatshirts, long-sleeved polos, trench coats, T-shirts and faux-fur hooded jackets.

This holiday season, put a smile on the Lamborghini lover’s face in your life with the limited edition gift-boxed candles and ceramic baubles, or Reventon Roadster gear.

Each September manufacturers from around the globe flock to the Frankfurt Auto Show, the first of the Auto Show season, to showcase their upcoming and concept models. At the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, Lamborghini stole the stage, with the debut of the 2010 Lamborghini Reventon Roadster.

Keeping in the Lamborghini tradition of avant-garde designs, the design of the Lamborghini Reventon Roadster follows in the footsteps of the Reventon Coupe, inspired by F-22 Raptor Fighter jets. Lamborghini has taken the aviation theme to the dashboard, with the same innovative gauge cluster found in the Reventon Coupe. Utilizing two LCD screens, digital readouts and color-changing gauge graphics display vital driving information, with a G-force meter centrally located in the cluster.

The Reventon Roadster features the iconic Lamborghini 12 cylinder engine, delivering power similar to the Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce. Four glass covers allow onlookers a revealing view of the V12 engine. The latest open top sports car in the 40 year tradition, boasts 650 horsepower and catapults from 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds.

Production of this limited edition super car is limited to less than 20, with a price tag of 1.1 million euro. Delivery is scheduled to begin in October.

Larry Morgan, owner of the Morgan Auto Group and Lamborghini Sarasota, was recently nominated to be TIME Magazine’s Dealer of the Year for the 2010 Award Season. The program honors new car dealers in America who exhibit exceptional performance in their dealerships and perform distinguished community service. A panel composed of faculty from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business will choose the TIME Dealer of the Year finalists from each of the four NADA regions. The judges then select the national winner, who will be named the TIME Dealer of the Year for 2010.

All nominees are judged on a variety of criteria, both in their dealerships and in the community. To ensure that all nominees meet the TIME Dealer of the Year high standards of excellence, the judges have been instructed to verify all entries. The judges’ professionalism, integrity and high standards combine to make the TIME Dealer of the Year the most respected award in the industry.

The 2010 awards will be presented at the opening business session of the NADA annual convention in Orlando on February 13, 2010. At the convention, all Dealer of the Year nominees will be included in the Dealer of the Year photo display at the convention center. For further details visit the Official Award Website.