The gaudy Gallardo lineup is growing--and getting an open-air experience that’s uniquely Lamborghini.

The Italian supercar maker unveiled the Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder at the Los Angeles auto show, revealing an open-top version of the speed demon that launched in the United States earlier this year. The convertible will be available in spring 2009, and dealers can take orders now.




To experience that wind-in-your-hair feeling at up to 201 mph, it takes 20 seconds to open the top. The fabric-lined top comes in four colors--black, blue, gray and beige--and it’s powered by an electric motor. Safety also is a priority, with two spring-loaded rollover bars located behind the seats that can be deployed by a sensor in 2.5 seconds, Lamborghini says.

The highlights of the LP560-4 Spyder are similar to the coupe. A potent, direct-injection V10 pumps out 560 hp at 8,000 rpm and 398 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. This propels the car from 0 to 62 mph in four seconds.

The powerplant is paired with a six-speed paddle-actuated gearbox that can be driven in fully automatic mode, or slipped into three manual settings-- standard, sport and “corsa,” which offers top-shelf acceleration and reduces shift time by 40 percent. A manual gear box is also available.

The power is channeled to the road with a permanent all-wheel-drive system, and the car’s weight of 3,417 pounds is distributed 43 percent on the front axel and 57 percent on the rear.

The car gets the same brand-new chassis as its fixed-roof counterpart, and a lightweight aluminum body.