Topless Touring

Having experienced ecurie25’s Lamborghini Gallardos on a couple of previous occasions it was time to try one with more: more power, more noise and more fresh air. Their ‘06 Gallardo Spyder provides it all, with the added bonus - given my flappy paddle and automatic gearbox phobia - of having a manual shift.

This later car apparently also has revisions to the chassis setup and gear ratios, but to be honest it is too long since I drove the previous versions to be able to identify and describe exactly the differences. What is apparent is that this one is loud. Gloriously loud. Almost embarrassingly loud when strafing quiet country communities - but what a noise: simultaneously spine tingling and laugh-inducing, it absolutely makes the driving experience (Audi, take note for your R8 step son).

The superlatives applied to my experiences of the Gallardo coupe apply equally, if not more so, to the Spyder: this for me is almost the ultimate in practical supercar experiences. The absolute event of just starting that powerplant, to say nothing of the poise of the chassis and brutal power deliver make this must of driving experiences for every petrol head. I’m pleased to report also that Audification hasn’t removed some of the Italian supercar idiosyncrasities: the method of checking the oil level (and the contortions required) is laughable compared to the electronic measuring systems of others.

Everything else was as before: near ideal. Heck, the sat nav even worked! Not only is this one stupendously quick car, but (to my eyes at least) it looks absolutely stunning, and it’s proportions are in no way out of kilter with the world today (unlike for example the Murcielago’s width restriction-, car parking space- and NCP-challenging dimensions).

Criticisms are hard to find, most coming down to personal taste. For me I wouldn’t chose such a flambouyant car in an understated colour; this grey to me was a Mardi Gras dancer in a grey suit - give me a pearlescent yellow or orange any day.

And to the ultimate question: spyder or coupe (because the fact that it has to be a Gallardo is out of the question). I think the jury has returned narrowly in favour of the coupe despite enjoying glorious sunshine in the spyder, again down to and entirely subjective view that the coupe is more handsome than the spyder (hood up, or down). Either is brilliant, though, and mandatory to try at least once in a lifetime.