Lamborghini's Gallardo GT3 partner Reiter Engineering has announced a new version of the car. The GT3 is a modified race-spec version of the famous Gallardo. The new upgrade will make the car wider, lighter and more powerful than the existing Gallardo FL2 GT3 version.
Reiter Engineering calls the new Gallardo GT3 a "far-reaching and comprehensive facelift" of the FL2, hence the name "Extenso." Company owner Hans Reiter talks of it as an evolution of the FL2. "Basically the Idea behind the Extenso was to create a more drivable car for semi-professional drivers," he tells Gizmag. "The FL2 was already a fast car, but mainly in the hands of platinum drivers. Our intention was to change that."
All GT3 cars are subject to a Balance of Performance system that tries to level the playing field between competitors. To do this, limitations are placed upon a car's power, weight, engine management and aerodynamics.
The FL2 was set up to have a high downforce package for better handling, and was given a speed limitation on straights as a result. Reiter's team recognized that not every semi-professional driver was able to make full use of the high downforce setup, and so a greater focus has been placed on straight-line speed.
"By increasing the rear width, we create much more rear end grip, which then allows us to reduce the rear downforce quite a lot," says Reiter. "Less rear wing in our case automatically means less drag and therefore more top speed."
The car has been widened from 1,920 mm (76 in) to 2,050 mm (81 in) – the maximum permissible width for the FIA's GT3 racing series – and the rear axle track width has been increased by 13 cm (5 in). It has also been lightened to 1,175 kg (2,590 lb) from 1,190 kg (2,624 lb) by way a new carbon rear fender.
New racing camshafts have been fitted to increase the car's torque and new Mahle pistons reduce its fuel consumption whilst improving reliability. Elsewhere, the Extenso features new headlights and rear lights.
Ten Gallardo GT3 Extenso cars will be delivered to customers, each costing €248,000 (US$309,500).
Source: Reiter Engineering
