Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni

In quick succession, Lamborghini has launched its two most extreme road cars ever, so the chance to compare them side by side is an intriguing one. Can the lighter, limited edition Gallardo really give the ultimate Murcielago a run for its (considerably higher) money? Or does the heavy hitting SV still rank as the senior partner?

How are they similar?

Well, they're both Lamborghinis and it's not often we bring two cars from the same manufacturer together, especially when the combined cost of this pair is getting on for half a million quid. Aside from astronomical list prices, both the Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni (this is a limited edition run of 250 cars to mark the retirement of Lambo's heroic test driver of the same name) and the Murcielago LP670-4 SV offer shatteringly fast performance. With 661bhp on tap, the Murcielago covers 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds and pounds its way on to a top speed of 212mph. However, the Gallardo VB is not so far behind with 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and 199mph all out. To all intents and purposes on the public road, these two are all but inseparable performance-wise.

Both Lambos also carve up curvy roads like a butcher setting about a side of beef. Yes, they have firm suspension, but neither is so stiff as to jar its occupants and there's enough give to make them compliant over longer distances. They also enjoy the same perfectly judged weight at the steering wheel and stupendously strong brakes. Both use carbon ceramic brake discs, which are similar to a Formula One car's, though they need a firm prod first time to generate some heat into the discs. Once warmed, they are massively capable of slowing this pair of ultra rapid supercars.
As supercars, the Gallardo VB and Murcielago SV both pass the stopping-passers-by-in-their-tracks test with flying colours. Rumble up any high street and either Lamborghini will have people piling out of shops and offices to get a better look. They also sound amazing when their engines start up or are revved anywhere north of 3,000rpm.

How do they differ?

The key difference between these Lamborghinis, other than them obviously being separate models, is that the Gallardo is rear-wheel drive and the Murcielago is four-wheel drive. It means the limited edition Gallardo - it's the only Lambo currently offered with rear-drive - needs a shade more circumspection when accelerating out of corners. With 542bhp on demand, the 5.2-litre V10 engine can have the massive rear tyres fighting for grip in an instant. The four-wheel drive of the Murcielago helps tame its 661bhp, though care is still required in tighter bends.

The deletion of four-wheel drive has a positive effect on the Gallardo's steering feel, as the front wheels are left to do their sole job of guiding the car where the driver wants. The Murcielago doesn't quite have the delicacy of feel of the Gallardo's steering, though there's just the right amount of assistance for parking in town or pressing on in the countryside. The net result is that the Gallardo feels the wieldier machine and not just because of its more compact dimensions.

In the Murcielago's favour is the sensational 6.5-litre V12 engine. The Gallardo's motor sounds and goes brilliantly, but nothing can touch the howl of the Lambo V12 when allowed its full head of steam. It comes attached to a six-speed sequential manual gearbox with paddle shifters mounted just behind the steering wheel. They allow for swift, accurate changes, but we prefer the manual six-speed gearbox of the Gallardo for its added tactility and driver involvement.

The other area where this pair takes wholly different routes is cabin comfort. Supercars may be all about drama and performance, but they still have to be driven by a human being. Entering the Murcielago is a drama in itself thanks to the scissor-action doors that hinge up from the door pillar. The gap to get into the cabin is fine, but the sports seats of the SuperVeloce only slide back and forth, not offering enough adjustment to get comfortable or provide fine adjustments while driving on longer trips. That said, they hold the driver firmly in place for repeated high speed cornering antics. At the other end of the comfort scale, the Gallardo VB's seats are cosseting, plump-ly upholstered and have lots of adjustment to tailor the driving position to all shapes and contours of driver.

So which one would we have?

Choosing between this pair is tricky as they may be the ultimate models in their respective ranges, but they deliver the goods in drastically different ways. On the road and as a car to drive to a track day, the Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni is the better car without a doubt. It's more useable, practical and compact than the Murcielago. It's also more affordable and its limited edition status should guarantee continued strong values. However, if you like your supercars to be no compromise, hardcore machines, we cannot think of anything to top the Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce, especially once you're at that track day. It's mad, bad and, if not dangerous to know, it's still pretty scary. So, this pair of Lamborghinis doesn't so much return a hung jury as an honourable dead heat.