The first example to reach Thailand, finished in an eye-catching gloss white, was shown to the local press last week, presented in the boutique showroom of the official importer, Niche Cars, itself nestled in the vast Siam Paragon mall right in the heart of Bangkok’s upscale city centre. “We’ve been allocated two cars – one black, one white,” noted Mr Wittawat Chinnabarramee, Managing Director of Niche Cars.

This year has sees Italy celebrating 150 years since Garibaldi’s famed exploits and battles finally paved the way for the declaration of unification to be signed in Turin on March 17, 1861, whereupon Italy’s first parliament was formed.

Italian companies have rushed to commemorate this milestone and Lamborghini has been no different in honouring the nation’s heritage. The Gallardo LP550-2 Tricolore (named after the three colours of the national flag – red, green and white) has been spun off the two-wheel-drive version of the V10 sports car which was named after legendary test driver Valentino Balboni. That means the Tricolore benefits from the reduced weight of the Balboni (1,380 kg) thanks to its two-wheel-drive layout, meaning its stock 550 PS allows for a top speed of 320 km/h and 0-100 km dash time of 3.9 seconds.

The key identifying feature of the Gallardo LP550-2 Tricolore is the offset full-body-length red, white and green parallel stripe which chases up over the bonnet and roof, and over the engine cover. The striped flag theme is replicated in the cockpit with a red, white and green stripe distinctively stitched into the leather-and-Alcantara driver’s seat. The changes are completed by new kickplates branded with ‘Tricolore’ script, featuring the three colour flashes, as well as being stitched into the driver’s seat vertically on the side padding, while there is a special series plaque mounted just inside the rear three quarterlight glass.

The Gallardo LP550-2 Tricolore was unveiled on March 17 in Turin on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Italian unification celebrations, a day when the city stepped into the global spotlight. Turin was in fact the capital of Italy for four years until 1865, when the seat of government moved to Florence. Rome became the final capital city, in 1871, when the unification was fully completed. In 1911 and 1961, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary and the centennial of national unification, Turin again became the heart of the country, the lavish celebrations drawing over six million visitors on each occasion.

The arrival of the Gallardo LP550-2 Tricolore comes at a time when the Raging Bull brand has received a real shot in the arm from the debut earlier this year of the dramatic Aventador LP700-4, which succeeded the long-running V12-engined Murciélago. The surging worldwide demand for the bar-raising Aventador is being seen in Thailand just as much as elsewhere, and while Singapore and Hong Kong have hit the media headlines as orders roll in, it is the same story in Thailand with no less than 23 orders being placed so far.

Mr Chinnabarramee is enthusiastic about the potential of the Aventador: “It’s a big step for the supercar,” he said. “No-one expected this – it’s an insane car, and everything is new, including the gearbox – no-one has this done before.” That instant success brings a headache though: with an allocation of only eight cars for Thailand this year, that means all the orders placed thus far won’t be fulfilled until the end of next year. Mr Chinnabarramee says that the factory is keeping the Aventador production strictly limited. It’s a dilemma, but one usually associated with Ferrari – reflecting the fact the Aventador is really aiming to change the supercar game in all areas.

by Edd Ellison

ItaliaspeedTV: Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Tricolore - Bangkok Preview