The wraps came off the heavily revised Gallardo in Geneva this week with three of the new 146,000 euro 5.2-litre V10 LP560-4 sports cars being presented by Lamborghini's on its traditional stand.

The wraps came off the facelifted Gallardo in Geneva this week with three of the new 146,000 euro LP560-4 sports cars being presented on Lamborghini's traditional stand, the heavily revamped car's arrival being accompanied by a fashion parade with the models each wearing items out of the Bologna-based brand's clothing range.

After selling 2,406 of its sports cars last year, a company record, Lamborghini is on a sales roll and President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini Stephan Winkelmann is confident that the brand can ride out the western recession. Lamborghini will also be taking a merchandising leaf out of Ferrari's book this year as it is set to open its own standalone retail stores to sell its widening range of consumer goods, the first store being planned for Las Vegas, where the Maranello firm already has an outlet.

Externally the revised Gallardo gets dramatic new styling at the front and rear. The front end has been influenced by the bigger Murciélago LP640 model to produce a 'family' look, while at the rear a small camera is incorporated which relays images to the driver via a 7-inch TFT screen located on the dashboard. New rear lights draw their distinctive 'Y' patterned inner units from the larger models, including the 20-unit Murciélago LP640-based Reventón.

However it is under the skin of the new Gallardo that the changes are most extreme, starting with a new 560 CV 5.2-litre V10 engine which powers the LP560-4 (LP standing for 'Longitudinale Posteriore', while the '4' indicates its permanent four wheel drive system) from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and to a top speed of 325 km/h. Improved emissions will see the new model emitting 18 percent less CO2. New suspension improves the handling and ride, whilst 20 kg has been shaved off the Gallardo's weight.

"The new Gallardo LP560-4 is a significantly enhanced version of what was already an extreme car," commented a delighted Winkelmann. "With an even more sharply defined character, the new Gallardo LP560-4 is also innately elegant and sensuous the expression of an uncompromising lifestyle." The Gallardo LP560-4 will arrive in the showrooms June and customers with cars on order already will be able to upgrade to the new model.

Lamborghini recently estimated sales this year will rise by 5 percent, and in Geneva Winkelmann was sticking to this target despite the deepening recession in the United States, its biggest market which accounts for 40 percent of sales. "Keeping in mind that we have a long waiting list for our cars, we will achieve more or less 100 cars on top of what we achieved in '07," Winkelmann, who revealed the Gallardo LP560-4 will cost 146,000 euros before taxes, told Reuters at the show.