By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

Every time I think I’m cool, I think of Valentino Balboni, and I remember that I’m really not that cool. What a bad ass.

Lamborghini LP550-2 – Valentino Balboni Gotham Dream Car Interview

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

Given that he’s got what’s possibly the coolest job in the world, it’s no surprise that Valentino Balboni has been Lamborghini’s chief test driver for 40 years. At another company, that time might get you a gold watch—or just a reminder not to let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. But Balboni doesn’t want to do anything but drive Raging Bulls, so Sant’Agata has decided to honor  him with his own model, the Gallardo LP 550/2. As the name suggests—for those that speak Lambo anyway—the car will have 550 horsepower and forgo the now-standard all-wheel-drive layout for a more conventional two-wheel drive configuration, which makes me think Balboni might not be down with Audi owning the famous Italian marque. Anyway, enjoy.

By DriverSide

DriverSide

Yes, that Balboni. As in, the same lucky mother who’s been a test driver for Lamborghini since 1968 and driven over 80 percent of all Raging Bulls ever created, Valentino Balboni. It would seem Lamborghini wants to pay tribute to its chief test driver by working up yet another wicked variation of the Gallardo. The 5.2-liter V10 behind the seats has been ever so lightly detuned to offer up a mere 550 horsepower, all of which kick at the rear tires. With the Gallardo’s delicious all-wheel drive system in pieces, the engineers at Lamborghini had to rework their magic on the car’s suspension – serving up new spring rates, stabilizers, tires and dampers. At a featherweight 3,035 lbs, this sucker clicks off the naught to sixty dash in 3.9 seconds. If you’ve got $219,300 lying around and can lay your greedy paws on one of the 250 to be built, give us a call. We’ll be your new best friend. More pics at MotorAuthority