The new 2012 rear wheel drive Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder has been unveiled.  As an entry level Gallardo the LP 550-2 Spyder is currently the cheapest open-top model on the market. It combines open-air driving with the 5,204cc V10′s 550bhp directed to the rear wheels, instead of all four.

With 550 horsepower the Spyder jumps to 62mph in just 4.2 seconds with a top speed of 198mph. Performance is boosted by the loss of four-wheel drive, bringing dry kerb weight down to 1520kg.

It has 45% locking rear differential and a different Corsa setting on the electronic safety systems, allowing greater drift angles, redeveloped ESP stability control, retuned dampers and altered aero balance to cope with the Gallardo’s rear-wheel drive set-up.

Stephan Winkelmann, president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini said that “This will appeal in particular to a very special group of customers that enjoy a spirited driving style and also like to experience the sheer pleasure of open- air driving. This special model with rear-wheel drive is a logical expansion of our line-up of spyder models with all-wheel drive.”

source: Carmagazine