Lamborghini Prepares Its Final Manual Transmission Model

With 2013 heralding the final year for the Lamborghini Gallardo, the supercar firm is also gearing up to produce its last manual transmission car ever. Road & Track talked to Lamborgihni North America COO Michael Lock who said that paddle shift Gallardos outsell stick shifts by a 9:1 ratio. According to Lock "We are in an era when customers demand technology and products that adapt to them," Translated from marketing gobbldeygook, that means that Gallardo owners are unable to steer with one hand and simultaneously change gears and digitally stimulate their catamite in the passenger seat, so the automated gearbox is here to stay. As part of the three-pedal's funeral, Lamborghni will offer a stripped-down, rear-drive Gallardo without "frills". This would be exciting news had Lamborghini not done this before. But repeat movies are understandable. There are only some many minor variations that can be sold as special editions. At this point, the Gallardo has been on the market for 9 years, a geological age in the context of the supercar market.  Lock is seemingly proud of this fact, telling R&T "It is the oldest supercar still standing, like a boxing champion," crowed Lock. "It is defying the normal supercar product cycle. Can you imagine if Ferrari were still trying to sell the 360 Modena," Somewhere in the darkest recesses of my mind, I can. And I wish they still did. Particularly the 360 Challenge Stradale with its Lexan windows and obnoxiously loud V8 that still sounds like a proper Ferrari. Oh hell, bring back the 355 as well. They are so much nicer than the technically superior but aesthetically overwrought 458 as well as the F430, which will one day be considered a symbol of the excess and vulgarity of the pre-GFC era. from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com

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