Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni

Template:InfoboxCar2The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni was a limited production rear-wheel drive version of the LP 560-4.

It is a tribute of Lamborghini to its factory test driver Valentino Balboni. The car was available with a 6-speed manual gearbox or an E-Gear sequential transmission and white gold stripe on the exterior. 250 units of the LP 550-2 were produced.

The number 550 in its name stands for the power output in horsepower whilst 2 is a reference to its RWD drivetrain.

Need for Speed: World

Template:NFSWlink The Valentino Balboni was released in November 21st, 2011 as a Top-Up gift in Need for Speed: World. On December 10th, 2011, it was made available for purchase. Since March 7th, 2012, it has also been purchaseable as a "Cop" variation. Both were featured as Tier 3 cars, although are now rated as Class A vehicles.

Players can purchase the Valentino Balboni with Amerikon Speedsystems street tuned parts equipped. This variant costs 4,600 and has an overall rating of 697.

The LP 550-2 is superior to the LP 560-4 despite its RWD drivetrain. It has better manoeuvrability and top speed, with acceleration up to par with the Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640. The only disadvantage of the Valentino Balboni is its weak nitrous boost. It can be used effectively in both multiplayer races and events involving the police.

Special Trims

The "Cop" variant is buyable for 5,100 in the car dealership. Its livery is heavily based on the Lamborghini Gallardo police car by the Italian Police. The police lights can be used by pressing "L". Other standard features of the Cop are Gromlen race tuned parts, a unique license plate and other aftermarket parts. It has an overall rating of 714.

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010)

In Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010), the Valentino Balboni is featured as both Super class racer vehicle and as a Rapid Deployment unit of the SCPD. The racer variant is unlocked upon redeeming an online pass. The SCPD variant is unlocked by accumulating 448,000 bounty.

Since the vehicle is rear-wheel drive, it slides better than any other Gallardo in corners. Other than that, it is as quick as the LP 560-4.

Need for Speed: The Run

The Valentino Balboni appears as the stock variant (Tier 4), as the "Need for Speed Edition" (Tier 5) and as a police vehicle in Need for Speed: The Run. The Tier 4 version is unlocked by default although the more powerful variant is unlocked upon beating 34 Autolog recommendations.

The Tier 4 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 was already playable in the demo of Need for Speed: The Run. It features an impressive acceleration and a high top speed. In corners, the Valentino Balboni is not hard to master although some cars such as the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 are better.

The "Need for Speed Edition" Valentino Balboni can reach a top speed 219 mph (352 km/h). Its engine produces 677 bhp at 8,000 rpm and allows it to go from 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds. These traits make the Need for Speed Edition an excellent performer in most races. The handling of the car is rated "Normal".

The police variant appears as an AI only car in various tracks and cannot be driven by the player.

Trivia

• Before the November 19th, 2011 patch was applied in Need for Speed: World, the Valentino Balboni snagged on walls when driving at an angle.
• In Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010), the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 can be coloured in Arancio Borealis, Bianco Monocerus, Blu Caelum, Grigio Telesto, Grigio Thalasso, Nero Noctis, Verde Ithaca or Yellow Midas.

Gallery

Need for Speed: World
(Standard)

Need for Speed: World
(Cop Edition)

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010)
(Racer)

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010)
(SCPD)

Need for Speed: The Run
(Tier 4)

Need for Speed: The Run
(Tier 5 - NFS Edition)

Need for Speed: The Run
(Police)