2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Edizione Tecnica

2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Edizione Tecnica

World economies may be trudging through mud, but the Lamborghini Gallardo keeps going and going, racking up all-time record sales for a single Lambo model—over 13,000 on the eve of the 2012 Paris Auto Show.

That's impressive for a supercar with a low practicality index and a high price tag, easily topping a quarter-million bucks for the LP570-4.

Which raises a question: the Gallardo has been around now for nine years. Maybe it's time for a major change?

2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Edizione Tecnica

Maybe. But judging by the LP570-4 option package just announced, that time has not quite arrived.

As in years past, Lamborghini's design and engineering troops have conspired to keep the Gallardo from becoming yesterday's supercar news. The result is essentially a new option package for the current Superleggera and Spyder Performante (convertible) nameplates dubbed "Edizione Tecnica." The expected total redesign is now expected for the 2014 model year.

More Than Skin Deep

However, this option package does go beyond cosmetics. Thanks to increased use of carbon fiber, the engineering team has pared more mass from the package, reducing the Gallardo's power-to-weight index to about 5.2 pounds per horsepower, according to Lamborghini.

2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Edizione Tecnica

With the high-revving 5.2-liter direct injection V-10 generating over 560 horsepower at full shriek, and all four wheels putting all of that thrust on the pavement via sticky Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires, it's not unreasonable to expect the Eizione Tecnica to attain 60 mph in a wink over three seconds.

And of course it will attain a lot more than that, crowding the 200 mph mark very hard at top end. So as options go, this one figures to go very well indeed.

2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Edizione Tecnica

Curbside Horsepower

Still shaped by Superleggera, the LP570-4 Edizione Tecnica's exterior shares the new full-width grille that distinguishes its LP560-4 sibling, as well as the front fender air vents and revised rear end treatment.

The Edizione Tecnica is further distinguished by the big wing that sprouts from the rear deck, similar to those employed in Lamborghini's single mark racing series. A closer look in the wheel wells reveals a carbon-ceramic brake package, standard equipment for this model.

2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Edizione Tecnica

And what would a Gallardo be without color? The basic body is Bianco Canopus, a matte white, with a choice of two new trim tones: Arancia Argos (orange) or—our favorite shown here, Nero Nemesis (matte black).

Nero Nemesis indeed. The ongoing design objective of cars like this is to exude a sense of irresistible sultry menace. In that sense, the Gallardo may never grow old.