Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder full 9 point review

  • Performance

    5 out of 5 stars

    Review-OnRoad The Gallardo's 5.2-litre V10 engine produces a whopping 552bhp, which propels it to 60mph in just 4.0sec - and the Performante version is more powerful, and quicker still. Acceleration in any gear is astonishing, and the sound is something to savour, too. The standard six-speed manual gearbox is better than the optional clutchless manual gearbox that is clunky and operated using paddles on the steering wheel.

  • Ride & Handling

    3 out of 5 stars

    Review-OnRoad Although the Gallardo needs a fair bit of effort on the steering to get it into corners, it handles brilliantly at speed. There's immense traction from the four-wheel-drive system, superb grip and virtually no body lean when cornering hard. The stiff suspension means things can become unsettled over mid-corner ruts, though, and at low speeds the ride is really unforgiving.

  • Refinement

    2 out of 5 stars

    Review-OnRoad With a big V10 sat behind your ear, it's hardly surprising that the Gallardo makes plenty of racket. Those fat tyres pick up plenty of road noise, and a fair bit of wind noise is generated, too. The brakes are switch-like when trundling along in traffic, while the optional paddle-shift gearchange is so jerky you can hear and feel what’s happening every time you swap cogs

  • Buying & Owning

    3 out of 5 stars

    Review-Ownership Despite its high price, there are people queuing up to buy a Gallardo, which will keep used values very strong. Running costs will not be cheap, because it’s in the top group for insurance and manages just 20mpg on the combined cycle – and even less if you make use of the car's full performance.

  • Quality & Reliability

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-Ownership That firm low-speed ride creates plenty of squeaks and rattles from the leather-clad cabin, but otherwise Audi's influence is clear in the quality of the Gallardo's components. We expect this to carry through to the mechanicals, although the car will need regular and expensive servicing.

  • Safety & Security

    2 out of 5 stars

    Review-Ownership The Gallardo comes with twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability control. This last feature can be altered to allow more driver involvement and control. Remote central locking is standard, but buyers must pay extra for anti-theft and satellite-tracking systems.

  • Behind The Wheel

    2 out of 5 stars

    Review-Cabin If you're an F1 ace and used to braking with your left foot, then you’ll be okay, but most mortals will struggle because the pedals are so far offset to the left. At least there’s decent headroom, plenty of movement for the driver's seat and a steering wheel that adjusts for height and reach. The downside is that rear visibility is limited and it's hard to judge where the car's nose ends.

  • Space & Practicality

    2 out of 5 stars

    Review-Cabin If you want practicality, a supercar is not the best choice. However, the Gallardo provides decent cabin space for its two occupants and is also easier to thread through traffic than a Ferrari 430. As for the boot, learn to travel light. That said, this Spyder is no less practical than the coupe.

  • Equipment

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-Cabin As you would expect for this type of money, the Gallardo is well equipped. It comes with climate control, leather seats, heated door mirrors, a USB connection and a CD player. After that, buyers can spend many thousands by ticking an options list that includes such luxuries as fitted luggage, satellite-navigation and even a transparent engine cover.

Gallardo rivals

Gallardo used rivals