Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante

Lamborghini today showed the world their new at the LA show - now take a deep breath - Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante. And you thought Japanese brands loved a multi-faceted verbose car name.

In simple terms the Performante is the Spyder version of the Superleggara. It's been on the same religiously slim-fast diet, adopting lots of carbonfibre (inside and out), swapping the standard car's leather for lightweight Alcantara, and receiving lightweight wheels.

It's enough to add up to a not-too-shoddy weight saving of 65kg.

Yes, but they're by and large cosmetic. Performante script is stamped on the carbonfibre skirts, two black stripes now extend from the bonnet to over the engine cover, and are coupled with three Reventon-esque tri-colour 'Y' graphics.

Performance remains on a par with the Superleggara: top speed stands at 201mph (where speed limits allow) and 0-60mph takes 4.0 seconds.

As is often the case with supercars, saved weight does not equate to saved cost. The price for joining the Performante owners' club is expected to stand at a not-so-light £180,000.

First deliveries are slated for spring 2011. 

By RobTyler