Valentino Balboni has been destined to turn into Lamborghini’s chief test driver the instant his parents picked that name. Isn’t it perfect? Kids named Valentino Balboni don’t develop to become obstetricians.
The capitano, Ferruccio Lamborghini, hired Balboni in 1967 like a broom pusher to the service department. Balboni drove his first Miura in 1973—actually, “September 5, 1973, at 10 : 10 each morning, ” he says. “You never forget your first adore. ”
The capitano, Ferruccio Lamborghini, hired Balboni in 1967 like a broom pusher to the service department. Balboni drove his first Miura in 1973—actually, “September 5, 1973, at 10 : 10 each morning, ” he says. “You never forget your first adore. ”
Were the large boss alive today, he’d in all probability dope-slap Balboni for many the fuss he’s getting, especially once 250 special Gallardos happen to be built in his honor. The limited-edition LP550-2 Valentino Balboni includes a 5. 2-liter V-10 making 542 horsepower (10 below standard Gallardo LP560s ) and bears one crucial distinction : It‘s rear-wheel drive only.
Such as the Miura and like Balboni himself—who, at 61, has segued into semi-retirement like the Audi-owned company’s customer-relations ambassador—this Lambo has no problem going sideways.
First, a disclaimer : This car is sold out, and production has wrapped. What along with your endless begging for additional minivan tests, it has brought us until now to VBox-up perhaps one of the $225, 795 Balbonis (actually, this the first is $247, 305 with extra buttering, including $15, 600 carbon-ceramic brakes and $4235 carbon-fiber engine-bay trim ).
It’s a lot of beastly compared to the slightly aloof slot car it’s depending on, being louder and just a little squirmy when accelerating and spearing toward an apex. A Balboni is basically more intense and, using the gated six-speed manual to manhandle, more fun compared to the regular Gallardo.
Reduced traction has downsides, though. Our 3410-pound Balboni test car is lighter compared to the Gallardo (by 97 pounds ), but it’s also the slowest variant, at 3. 6 seconds to 60. The AWD Gallardo 560-4 using the e-gear transmission needs just 3. 2 seconds, but that’s with four tires clawing for traction and computers micromanaging the launch. A Balboni could possibly be had with e-gear, for an additional $10, 000, although not with all-wheel drive.
Wallop the throttle, and also the V-10 sounds like it’s shredding platinum Visa cards like the car pitches into your sensational YouTube-Clip-of-the-Week drift. But show anything lower than Valentino’s own fearlessness upon the gas, and also the Balboni straightens right up, hunkers down, and—at the limit—plows. The so-so 0. 93 g upon the skidpad reflects the understeer.
This really is certainly not a lament. Perhaps better than anyone, Valentino Balboni knows that its not all who possess wealth are endowed using the skill to handle actually begets. To the confident people, it’s better to park the Balboni involving the Chuck Yeager–edition Gulfstream and also the Fuzzy Zoeller commemorative Club Car and await instruction coming from the master.
This really is certainly not a lament. Perhaps better than anyone, Valentino Balboni knows that its not all who possess wealth are endowed using the skill to handle actually begets. To the confident people, it’s better to park the Balboni involving the Chuck Yeager–edition Gulfstream and also the Fuzzy Zoeller commemorative Club Car and await instruction coming from the master.
