Lamborghini Gallardo replacement - new pictures

The replacement for the Lamborghini Gallardo, likely to be called the Cabrera, has been spotted testing in this latest set of spy photographs. The Cabrera will enter production in 2014 following a reveal at the Geneva Motor Show. 

Lamborghini is keen to get a replacement for the Gallardo up and running, having very recently ended production of the model. The brand has also launched a new Microsite, code-named Hexagon Project, which allows visitors to hear the sound of the new car's engine.

A production version of the Cabrera is set to go on sale in the UK during the second half of next year, and follows the example of its predecessor in sharing key components, including a lightweight carbonfibre and aluminium spaceframe structure, with the replacement for today’s Audi R8, due in 2015. 

The new car, which carries the internal codename LP724, is said to have grown marginally in length to almost 4500mm, or 16mm longer than its predecessor, with width and height remaining close to the 1900mm and 1165mm respectively of the Gallardo. This is backed up the test mule, which appears longer than the current Gallardo. 

Together with an edgy new exterior inspired by the dramatic Sesto Elemento concept, the Gallardo replacement is set to adopt a new interior layout that, with a slight increase in wheelbase over its predecessor at 2600mm, will offer added levels of accommodation.

Despite harbouring initial plans to base its new car around a contemporary carbonfibre monocoque similar to that of the Aventador, Lamborghini has been forced to follow a more conservative route dictated by parent company Audi and its second-generation R8 supercar.

Both cars have been conceived around a modular spacefame. This will allow them to share vital components, including selected parts of a new, lightweight carbonfibre and aluminium structure that, Autocar can confirm, weighs 198kg in the form to be used by the Audi. That is 24kg less than the all-aluminium structure used by the current R8.

Despite using a similar structure, the R8 and the Gallardo replacement will receive different wheelbases. The Audi’s is 30mm longer than the Lamborghini’s for greater levels of interior accommodation, including stowage space behind the seats. By using a shorter wheelbase than the Audi, the structure of the new Lamborghini is a further 3kg lighter, at just 195kg.

The new spaceframe structure will be clothed in a body that uses a combination of carbonfibre-reinforced plastic and aluminium panels. The move is aimed at bringing the new mid-engined Lamborghini to the scales at less than 1500kg — the official kerb weight of today’s four-wheel-drive Gallardo.

Power will come from an updated version of the Gallardo’s naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine. It will be tuned to deliver close to 600bhp and 400lb ft of torque in standard guise, while complying with stringent new EU6 emissions regulations set to come into force next year.