What's the news?

Oh look, Lamborghini has announced yet another Gallardo spin-off... yawn!

No wait, this one is different. The Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse is directly related to the Super Trofeo race car and benefits from a lot of that car's motorsports know how. It will be officially launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Exterior

The Squadra Corse is based on the underpinnings of the lightweight Gallardo LP 560-4, but takes that car's weight saving diet to the extreme with extensive use of carbon fibre composites and aluminium. Both the high-riding rear wing and removable engine cover (with quick release system) have been carried over from the Trofeo racer and are made from carbon composites. The spoiler is said to develop three times the aerodynamic load of the traditional car while all told the Squadra Corse weighs in at 1,740kg - some 70kg lighter than the LP 560-4, and the same as both the Trofeo and the anorexic Superleggera.

Four colour options are available with the Squadra Corse - Giallo Midas (yellow), Bianco Monocerus (white), Grigio Thalasso (grey) and Rosso Mars (red). All are embellished with a traditionally patriotic decal strip in green, white and red. The hood, front air intakes, rear diffuser and 19-inch forged wheels are painted in high-gloss black, while the mighty brakes callipers are available in red, black or yellow.

Interior

Being a road-going version of a race car the Squadra Corse sports an appropriately minimalist interior. Alcantara features on the underside of the dashboard and the centre panels of the racing seats but other than that it is all carbon fibre. The lightweight black weave spreads from the door panels across the centre console into the steering wheel and the standard fit racing bucket seats. Comfort seats can be ordered in place of the buckets, but this is Lambo's range topping, track inspired car, so don't do that. Please.

Mechanicals

Like the Super Trofeo competition car, the Squadra Corse uses a 570hp version of Lamborghini's V10 engine and like the race car it also features the robotised e-gear six-speed transmission with paddle shifts.

This power, in conjunction with standard all-wheel drive, sees the Squadra Corse sprint (according to Lambo) from 0 to 62mph in 3.4 seconds and 124mph in just 10.4 seconds. It finally runs out of puff at 200mph. Standard carbon-ceramic brakes help to keep things in check.

Anything else?

The name Squadra Corse refers to Lamborghini's recently-founded race department, which manages all motorsport activities from GT3 to the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo championships. Squadra Corse (the department rather than the car) also organises "Esperienza" events that allow enthusiasts and prospective customers the chance to test-drive the latest models on track and ice at Lamborghini Academies. Participants can also get a glimpse inside the world of Lamborghini.

Paul Healy - 1 Aug 2013