Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni Stars in Top Gear Season 14 Episode 3
Jeremy Clarkson drives the rear-wheel-drive Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni while Hammond and May tackle a rally car challenge in this November 2009 episode.
Jeremy Clarkson put the spotlight on the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni in Top Gear’s third episode of Series 14, which aired in late November 2009. The limited-edition Gallardo, named after Lamborghini’s legendary test driver, was handled on track as Clarkson explored the car’s unique rear-wheel-drive setup, a departure from the standard Gallardo’s all-wheel-drive system.
The LP550-2 Balboni was created to honour Valentino Balboni, who retired in 2009 after 40 years with Lamborghini. The car’s 5.2-litre V10 produced 550 horsepower and sent power exclusively to the rear wheels, making it the first rear-driven Gallardo since the model’s launch. Lamborghini limited production to just 250 units, each with a distinctive white and gold stripe and a price tag of around €162,000 at launch.
Clarkson’s review focused on the car’s handling characteristics, with the rear-drive layout offering a more traditional, purist driving experience compared to the four-wheel-drive Gallardos. The episode paid particular attention to Balboni’s legacy, highlighting his influence on Lamborghini’s development philosophy and the decision to create a car in his name.
Rally Car Challenge and Caravan Stunt
Away from the supercar spotlight, Richard Hammond and James May attempted to build a replica rally car on a budget, engaging in a series of challenges to test their creation’s mettle. The segment was typical of the show’s mix of technical improvisation and humour, with the presenters facing off against professional rally drivers to see if their homemade car could stand up to the rigours of a rally stage.
The episode also included a light-hearted feature in which the presenters attempted to fly a caravan to a campsite, aiming to avoid the usual motorway congestion. This was in keeping with Top Gear’s tradition of outlandish transport experiments and offered a break from the more serious road tests.
Valentino Balboni’s Legacy
Valentino Balboni’s influence on Lamborghini was a central theme. After four decades as chief test driver, Balboni retired in 2009 due to Italian work regulations. Lamborghini’s tribute with the LP550-2 reflected both his technical input and his reputation among enthusiasts. The car’s focus on driver involvement and its limited production run made it instantly collectable.
Related Top Gear Episodes
- /video-top-gear-season-14-episode-1, Top Gear Season 14 Opens with Supercar Road Trip on Romania’s Transfagarasan
- /video-top-gear-season-14-episode-4, Top Gear Season 14 Episode 4: A Battle of SUVs and a Twingo Test
