Lamborghini Gallardo replacement 'to launch in 2014'

Lamborghini is set to continue its 50th anniversary celebrations with the unveiling of a new concept car at the Frankfurt motor show in September that closely previews its upcomingGallardo replacement, sources close to the Italian supercar maker have revealed.

The new two-seater, the production version of which is set to go on sale in the UK during the second half of next year, follows the example of its predecessor in sharing key components, including a lightweight carbonfibre and aluminium spaceframe structure, with the replacement for today’s Audi R8, due in 2015. 

The new car, which carries the internal codename LP724, is said to have grown marginally in length to almost 4500mm, or 16mm longer than its predecessor, with width and height remaining close to the 1900mm and 1165mm respectively of the Gallardo.

Together with an edgy new exterior, the Gallardo replacement is set to adopt a new interior layout that, with a slight increase in wheelbase over its predecessor at 2600mm, will offer added levels of accommodation.

Despite harbouring initial plans to base its new car around a contemporary carbonfibre monocoque similar to that of the Aventador, Lamborghini has been forced to follow a more conservative route dictated by parent company Audi and its second-generation R8 supercar.