Lambo Monday! Summary & Image Gallery Live!

OK, needless to say, driving a Lamborghini just made it to the top of  "Best Things That Ever Happened To Me" list. I've driven quite a few crazy sports cars during my career, with the Dodge Viper holding the top spot...until now. The Gallardo features a 520hp V10 lump under the rear lid, pushing power to the monstrously wide 19" multi-peice wheels through an AWD transmission (42/58 split) that keeps that super-phat rubber planted beautifully. There wasn't a single second during the test drive that I didn't feel secure and safe. Truthfully, after my experience piloting a V10-powered Viper, I was a little worried it might be too much... But when you compare the Italian's V10's power delivery to that of a Dodge Viper's, the difference is stunning. True, the cars are considerably different from price to build-quality, but we're still talking about punch-you-in-the-gut V10 power. The Viper forces you you hold onto the steering wheel for dear life, while the Gallardo seems to quickly invite you to push it faster and faster.

(Full gallery after the jump)

My co-pilot's name was Ken, a retired professional race car driver, who's most recent experience was running with Real Time Racing. Ken introduced me to the Gallardo's power as we turned onto the public roadway. With a mash of the long pedal, I was pushed deep into my seat, leaving a permagrin on my face for the rest of the drive. We took the cars through the back roads of Snoqualmie and Fall City, and eventually made our way to I90 for a little high speed fun.

The Gallardo's e-Gear transmission is similar to Volkswagen and Audi's DSG transmission and has three modes: automatic, manual, and sport manual. We left the automatic alone, this is a sports car after all. Manual mode is a lot of fun, but Ken quickly slipped into Sport mode where the rev limiter is removed and the shifts are a bit faster - true neck-snapping fun. If you're not familiar with the DSG transmission, it's a paddle shift system that uses a new twin clutch transmission: while one clutch is in use, the next clutch sits in gear, ready for action. Shifts come quick, faster than any human can shift, and the computer-controlled rev matching is flawless.

After Ken showed me how it was done, all three Gallardos pulled over.... Now the moment of truth: My turn behind the wheel. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but the sheer giddiness of getting behind the wheel of a $250,000 supercar quickly put all butterflies to rest. The few things to remember about a test drive like this:

• The car does not belong to you
• You might never have this chance again
• Drive it like you stole it!

I unloaded the power to wheels as quickly as I knew how: foot to the floor and flipping the steering wheel paddle as soon as the tach hit 8 grand (red line starts around 8150).

At this point I was speechless. And why would  you even want to try to talk above the amazing chorus emanating from the exhaust? The steering is extrememly responsive and road feel was spot-on. The suspension handled the uneven grooves of I-90 as if they didn't exist. Whether I was carving a corner at 60 on a back road or flexing the muscle at significant speeds on the highway, there was never a sketchy moment, and the car simply yearned and begged for more speed. When it came time to slow the beast down, the massive braking system was smooth and quick, no chatter, no hesitation, and it didn't just grab and stop, it slowed with precision.

The interior was extrememly comfortable and every gauge, dial, and button was within easy reach.

The carbon fiber-equipped steering wheel in my Gallardo made me hate the plain 'ol beefy round wheel in my GTI.

Honestly, I can't think of a better way to start a work week than a "spirited drive" behind the wheel of a V10-powered supercar on a clear sunny day in the mountains! I guess the only downside to test driving a car like this is not knowing when the next time will ever come around again! It's an instant addiction, and the first taste was free....

Check out what John & Jen had to say over at CarDomain!

Gallery:

in the forums!