Features / 3 May 2021 / Albert du Toit

Second-hand Lamborghini Gallardos in South Africa – What’s on offer

The Lamborghini Gallardo is the best bang-for-your-buck raging bull that you can buy today.

When it was new in 2003, it slotted in as the entry-level option for the brand.

This was with a V10 engine fitted and a minimum of 368kW and 510Nm delivered.

Throughout its lifespan it received several refreshes and special editions, and Lamborghini even released a second-generation Gallardo.

Before it was taken off the production line in 2013, the Gallardo gained the accolade of becoming the company’s best-selling car – at slightly over 14,000 units sold.

First-generation

The Gallardo, as with every other Lamborghini, was named after a famous fighting bull.

The first generation was unveiled in 2003 and was fitted with a 5.0-litre, V10 engine that sent the car from 0-100km/h in around four seconds.

It featured a more square design than the later models, as was the trend back then, and was only available in coupe form.

The interior rivaled even those of today – except for the electronics – and you could get it with a six-speed manual or six-speed single-clutch automatic transmission.

In 2005, the car received its first update, which was aimed at improving the exhaust note and suspension.

Engine output was also improved by around 14kW, and gear ratios were tuned to get the most amount of performance out of the V10 motor.

For the 2006 model year, the first roofless Gallardo was released.

It gained a retractable soft-top roof, but power and features remained unchanged.

The last model for the first generation was then the Superleggera variant.

The ultimate version of this car had redesigned bumpers and exterior elements that gave it a more aggressive look, and it was treated to the most powerful engine ever put into a Gallardo.

Power came in at 390kW with torque remaining at 510Nm, while 100kg of weight was shaved.

The result was a breathtaking sports car that raced to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds.

Second-generation

The second-generation Gallardo was unveiled in 2008, and improved upon its predecessor in every way.

It was fitted with a new 5.2-litre, V10 engine that produced 412kW and 540Nm – and the design was something to behold.

As this “base model” already outperformed the previous generation’s top-spec variant, it needed to get a Superleggera version of its own.

Three years later we got the LP 570-4 Superleggera, generating a hefty 419kW.

Acceleration from 0-100km/h jumped to 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 329km/h was available.

The next year Lamborghini chopped of its roof, gave it the name Spyder Performante, and sent it out to the world.

Despite the different names the cars were exactly the same under the engine cover.

The roof mechanism in the Performante inevitably added some weight, which brought the car to a kerb weight of 1,485kg.

It performed the 100km/h sprint in a slightly slower 3.9 seconds, and went on to a 325km/h top speed.

Gallardos in South Africa

Now that you know the history of the Gallardo, it’s time to decide which one you want.

We are lucky in South Africa, as there are multiple models on offer in the second-hand market – and we have listed a selection of the best Gallardo deals currently available in the country.

If you would like to visit the sale advert for more information, click on the underlined price.