Performance Review: Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder - [2011]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lamborghini Gallardo Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Lamborghini Gallardo has a 5204cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 10 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V10's includes the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10

The Gallardo shares its Petrol V10 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 and the 2017 Lamborghini Huracan Performante 5.2 V10. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Gallardo's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1520 kgs (3351 lbs) this makes the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Lamborghini Gallardo shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 5204cc 40V V10 engine produces 542 bhp (404 kW) @ 8000 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V10 throws out 398 lb-ft (539.6 Nm) @ 6500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (406 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lamborghini Gallardo you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2003 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren (381.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lamborghini Gallardo.

The Lamborghini Gallardo has a Power to weight ratio of 356.5 bhp per ton and 261.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 Gallardo competing with the 2003 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren (381.3 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Lexus LFA Nurburgring (380.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lamborghini Gallardo generating around 261.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG S Estate (286.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2 (286.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.2 secs, this made the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder as fast as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs) the or the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs). This Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder is also faster than the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (4.20 secs) the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (4.20 secs) the and the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (4.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Gallardo and the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392

When talking about the performance of the Lamborghini Gallardo on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.52 secs @ 118.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 (11.47 secs), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (11.47 secs), and the 2000 Ford Mustang Cobra R 5.4 V8 (11.48 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder has a maximum speed of 198mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 Gallardo equals the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo (209 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder then how about the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo (209 mph), the 2006 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 Edition (209 mph), or the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C7 (210 mph).

Related Links:

2011 Gallardo Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lamborghini

Car Comparison