Lambo rolls out lightweight Gallardo Spyder

Raging bull puts its weight-saving expertise to good use on the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante

The full extent of Lamborghini's fat-busting trickery was recently showcased on the Sesto Elemento, but the Bologna-based carmaker has now revealed a vehicle with a little more significance in the short term.

Pictured alongside is the Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante, essentially a drop-top version of the Superleggera, and therefore touted as being more agile and dynamic than the standard roadster.

Lamborghini claims it's managed to trim 65kg from the Gallardo Spyder's girth by ditching many of the standard interior and exterior parts and replacing them with carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (referred to by the acronym CFRP) components.

Carbonfibre is used in the underbody, door panels, seat shells and transmission tunnel, as well as in the retractable roof assembly, diffuser and rear spoiler.

According to the company, the Spyder Performante tips the scales at no more than 1485kg (dry weight), which Lambo claims is a new benchmark for the supercar roadster segment.

As per the Superleggera, motive power comes from a direct-injection 5.2-litre V10 that kicks out 419kW and 540Nm, enabling the roadster to bolt from 0-100 km/h in 3.9sec and achieve a v-max of 324km/h.

Befitting its high-po orientation, the Gallardo Spyder Performante sits on 19-inch alloy wheels that are 13kg lighter than the stock rims, and wrapped around these hoops are Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres. Stopping power is also uprated via 365mm brake discs at the front and 356mm discs at the rear.

The Spyder Performante is distinguishable from the stock roadster via its more aggressive bumper/spoiler assembly and bespoke rear diffuser -- and these mods are said to boost cooling and aero efficiency.

Lamborghini claims the Gallardo Spyder Performante is also cleaner-running than the standard roadster, although it hasn't revealed fuel consumption or CO2 emission figures. The company is also yet to announce details regarding pricing and availability.

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