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March 25, 2015
Lamborghini and Blancpain: A Meeting on the Circuit | Lamborghini
Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series｜
Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series
Lamborghini and Blancpain: A Circuitous Encounter
Lamborghini, the premium sports car manufacturerandBlancpain, the luxury mechanical watchmaker. Neither resting on the laurels of heritage or tradition, both companies fearlessly embrace cutting-edge technology, constantly challenging themselves through innovation. They have now joined forces. The stage for this collaboration is the circuit. The "Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo" race, where bull riders from around the world compete, is a special arena where each brand pours its unique dedication and ingenuity.Lamborghini・Blancpain・Super Trofeo race is a special arena where each brand pours its unique dedication and ingenuity.
Text by SAKURAI Kenichi
Gallardo vs. Gallardo: A Fierce Battle
The "Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo" was launched in Europe four years ago by Lamborghini, the Italian premium sports car manufacturer, as a one-make race for the Gallardo. Partnering with Blancpain, the renowned luxury watchmaker celebrated for its rare in-house manufacturing, fierce battles exclusively among Gallardos have unfolded on prestigious European Grand Prix circuits such as Monza in Italy, Silverstone in the UK, and Hockenheim in Germany.
This race features not only professional drivers but also many amateur enthusiasts at the wheel of racing Gallardos. Lamborghini refers to the "Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo" as a "gentleman's race." Among the participants are some of the world's foremost supercar collectors, and for these customers, the series offers a program and a venue to fully experience the Gallardo's potential through the format of racing.
Looking back, this marks Lamborghini's first one-make race series since the "Diablo Super Trofeo" held from 1996 to 1999. While the machine has now changed to the Gallardo, this "Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo" series, now in its fourth season in Europe, can be seen as the brilliant stage that bull riders worldwide have long awaited.
Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series｜
Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series
Lamborghini and Blancpain: A Circuitous Encounter (2)
A Shared DNA of Challenge and Innovation
Meanwhile,Lamborghini's partner,Blancpain, boasts a history dating back to 1735. Throughout its long history, Blancpain has preserved traditional methods while delivering exceptional mechanical watches with the most refined and complex movements. As a manufacture committed to developing every component in-house, down to the last screw, it continues to be cherished by connoisseurs worldwide.
Blancpain became the main sponsor of the "Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo" in 2009. Since then, it has deepened its involvement in motorsports, becoming an official partner of the "FIA GT1 World Championship" in 2010 and the "Blancpain Endurance Series" and "ADAC GT Masters" in 2011. In line with these developments, Blancpain has recently expanded its modern design lineup, releasing numerous sporty collections. Furthermore, going beyond mere luxury timepieces, its motorsport-themed creations actively incorporate advanced materials, such as extensive use of carbon fiber.
Blancpain's meticulously crafted in-house movements.
The V10 engine powering the limited edition "Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale," restricted to just 150 units worldwide.
Lamborghini and Blancpain. Both companies found common ground in their shared DNA of challenge and innovation: a commitment to in-house engines/movements and design, coupled with a fearless adoption of cutting-edge technology for weight reduction. This realization has led to this momentous collaboration.
Rather than simply slapping their logos onto existing products, they engage in a more profound creative process. For instance, the new"L-Evolution Split Seconds Flyback Chronograph"projects the image of Lamborghini through the extensive use of real carbon fiber, the design of its numerals, and the incorporation of the Lamborghini emblem's shape.
Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series｜
Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series
Lamborghini and Blancpain: A Circuitous Encounter (3)
The Uncompromising Blancpain Ethos
During his visit to Japan,Blancpain's Vice President Alain Delamuraz stated emphatically, "Unlike other brands, we do not create collaboration models simply by attaching a car's emblem. Blancpain never produces such superficial timepieces." The movements, cases, and designs are not derived from existing parts. The dedication and ingenuity of a manufacture are poured into this series as well.
The reason he emphasizes this point likely stems from the fact that Blancpain's President and CEO, Marc A. Hayek, competed in the "LamborghiniBlancpain Super Trofeo" European series for two years.
"Blancpain CEO Hayek, who was originally a car enthusiast, had no prior racing experience. Initially, he struggled to achieve competitive lap times. In the world of racing, as even a CEO learns, lap times are everything. However, he dedicated himself to racing, practiced diligently, and progressed step by step, eventually contending for the top positions."
"This demonstrates how the 'Blancpain ethos' – a relentless pursuit of perfection – was equally applied to his racing endeavors," explained Alain Delamuraz, recounting the CEO's experience. This anecdote also sheds light on the deep connection between the two companies, extending beyond mere business partnership.
Following the success of the "Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo," now in its fourth season in Europe, the "Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series" was launched this year, with its second round held at Fuji Speedway on July 14-15.
Following the series' inaugural race in Sepang, Malaysia, in May, a total of 18 "racing bulls" from seven countries and regions, including Japan with two entries, participated in this event.
Two Japanese Entries in the Inaugural Asian Series
While this is a gentleman's race where Lamborghini customers with a passion for driving also participate, the series presents a demanding challenge with two races held per event. With limited time to acclimate to each circuit during the Asian tour, it transcends mere play for the affluent. The performance of the "Blancpain Super Trofeo" racing cars is a testament to this, achieving lap times in the 1 minute 44-second range at Fuji Speedway, remarkably close to the top-class times in the popular "SUPER GT" series.
Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series｜
Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series
Lamborghini and Blancpain: A Circuitous Encounter (4)
Perfectly Equal Conditions
The machines themselves,"Gallardo LP560-4", are powered by a 5.2-liter V10 engine centrally mounted, delivering a maximum output of 570 horsepower, an increase of 10 hp over the standard model. Optimized for racing, the vehicle has undergone weight reduction, bringing its curb weight down to a mere 1,300 kg, a decrease of 110 kg from the production version. Maurizio Reggiani, R&D Director at Automobili Lamborghini, stated, "With the adoption of a large rear spoiler that enhances aerodynamic performance, we achieve approximately four times the downforce of the production vehicle."Lamborghini, we achieve approximately four times the downforce of the production vehicle. The "Blancpain" Super Trofeo, combined with the advantage of its all-wheel-drive system, offers stable and predictable handling, making it a remarkably fast machine."Blancpain, combined with the advantage of its all-wheel-drive system, offers stable and predictable handling, making it a remarkably fast machine."
All cars are managed and maintained by Lamborghini, ensuring the race is conducted under perfectly equal conditions. Drivers can only adjust tire pressure. Given the light rain during this race, some teams opted for rain tires.
Conversely, this means that team strategy is limited to such adjustments, underscoring the strictly maintained equal conditions. To prevent performance disparities with new models introduced each season, all cars are consistently updated.
The Stradale: A Limited Edition of 150 Worldwide
The day before this race event,Lamborghini Japan announced the "Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale (priced at ¥31,368,750)," a limited edition of 150 units worldwide.Egidio Verra, the representative, introduced the "Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo" as "a race that further enhances Lamborghini's DNA – its history as a super sports car, its potential, and its brand recognition. It also serves to feed back technologies and images honed on the circuit into our production vehicles."
Indeed, the road-version "Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale" is based on the one-make machine competing here. This Gallardo, arguably the most powerful ever with roots on the circuit, will be released in Japan in a limited quantity of just 15 units.
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale｜
Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale
Body Dimensions｜Length 4,386 × Width 1,900 × Height 1,165mm
Wheelbase｜2,560mm
Tread Front/Rear｜1,632mm / 1,597mm
Vehicle Weight｜1,340kg (Dry Weight)
Engine Type｜90-degree V10
Total Displacement｜5,204cc
Bore × Stroke｜84.5 × 92.8mm
Compression Ratio｜12.5:1
Maximum Output｜419kW (570ps) / 8,000rpm
Maximum Torque｜540Nm (55.0kgm) / 6,500rpm
Transmission｜6-speed Robotized Manual (e-gear)
Suspension Front/Rear｜Double Wishbone
Brakes｜Carbon Ceramic Brakes
Tires Front/Rear｜235/35 ZR19 / 295/30 ZR19
Wheels Front/Rear｜8.5×19 / 11×19
Maximum Speed｜320km/h
0-100km/h Acceleration｜3.4 seconds
Fuel Consumption｜13.5ℓ/100km (Approx. 7.4km/ℓ)
CO2 Emissions｜319g/km
Price｜¥31,368,750