2006 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder

The Spyder features a 5.0-liter V10 capable of producing 520 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. Both versions can hotfoot it to 60 mph in a shade over 4 seconds, thanks in part to lower gear ratios (compared to last year’s Gallardo) in the first five of the "e.gear" transmission’s six speeds. Despite these lower ratios, throttle response remains a bit lackadaisical at speeds below 15 mph, though hitting the "Sport" button on the center console partially resolves this. Braking ability also maintains the high expectations set by the coupe, with a 60-to-0 stopping distance of 104 feet.
Initial pedal feel can be a bit heavy, but once those eight-pot front calipers clamp down on the 14.3-inch Brembo vented rotors, this baby bull stops right now. These numbers are particularly impressive when considering the roughly 250-pound weight gain for the Spyder over the coupe.The more powerful engine feels rough and reacts sluggishly below 2500 rpm. But once you rev it up, the V-10 crackles with enthusiasm as flaps retune the intake manifold at 3500 rpm and the camshaft timing moves to a deeper-breathing setting, unleashing enough thrust to vigorously motivate the all-aluminum, 3550-pound spyder.

Keep your foot in it, and the tachometer needle sweeps to the 8000-rpm mark in a few blinks, accompanied by a guttural trumpet blast from the tailpipes. The combination of noise and speed generates an incredibly visceral experience.

Although the Gallardo spyder has markedly forward-leaning styling, it in fact carries about 58 percent of its weight on the rear axle. Even with all-wheel drive, this weight bias produces a bit of oversteer when you really fly through a curve. That’s when you’ll appreciate the spyder’s sensitive rack-and-pinion steering and the predictable way it responds to throttle changes. With the top down, it’s an exhilarating sports car on a fast country road, where it engages its driver with its performance and quick reflexes and the wonderful sounds made by the wind and engine.