Mischief-Redefined

Lamborghini says it's the only maker of bad-boy supercars... and, on the evidence of the new Gallardo LP560, I'd have to agree.

Lamborghini has always been the cheeky upstart, the chest-wig chariot, the company that some would say put the bull into bullshit. Ferrari is better bred, the real thing, auto-aristocracy. You can see the appeal. The 5.2-litre V10 now features direct injection - iniezione diretta stratificata - which promotes more efficient combustion and allows for a lofty compression ratio of 12.5:1.

There's variable valve control on all four of the engine's camshafts, and despite the additional grunt and superior performance figures the LP560's emissions and fuel consumption show an 18 percent reduction compared to the previous model. Not enough to convert Ken Livingstone and his lackeys to the cause, but useful progress.

f nothing else, the LP560-4 is proof of how far Lambo has come in 10 years. The new car is faster, lighter, more efficient, and available in a seductive choice of colors. But for all the talk of becoming more socially acceptable, of greater refinement and elegance, and even of a desire to sell more cars to women, Lamborghini isn't quite waxing its hairy chest just yet.