New Gallardo?

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Still with the V10 soundtrack

[h=2]The all-new Lamborghini Gallardo has been spotted for the first time, ahead of its Frankfurt debut[/h]

The first pictures of the all-new Lamborghini Gallardo have surfaced on Facebook. Expected to be badged Cabrera and revealed in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September before going on sale in 2014, the Ferrari 458 Italia rival will replace the current car, which has been on sale since 2003 but continually updated throughout its lifetime.

Although heavily camouflaged, a few things are clear from these spy shots. Firstly, it will share the wedgy profile of its predecessor, but the bonnet appears longer and lower at the front, while even larger 'nostrils' in the front bumper are joined by a central intake. Bulbous cladding seems to suggest another intake just ahead of the rear wheelarch, while above that the cladding could be hiding a pair of flying buttresses, apeing the new Honda NSX.

At the rear the quad tailpipe arrangement is carried over, although the tips are cut at a slant, while the whole rear protrudes higher into the air. In the wider angle shot you can see another prototype in the background, which suggests Lamborghini is preparing to begin full-scale testing of the Cabrera on public roads. And with the Frankfurt Motor Show just three months away, that timescale makes sense.

The Cabrera will share its platform with the new 2015 Audi R8, so expect a groundbreaking multimaterial chassis that combines aluminium and carbon-fibre structural components to cut weight. Carbon-fibre body panels will shave off further kg, meaning the Cabrera could weigh as little as 1,300 kg in two-wheel drive form, although four-wheel drive versions will add another 30kg to that.

Despite the weight loss power is expected to come from a significantly revised version of the current 5.2-litre V10 with reduced CO2 emissions and around 600 bhp - 38 bhp more than the current LP 570-4. Cylinder deactivation could be used to keep fuel economy as high as possible, while a much smoother seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission will replace the clunky e-gear automated manual 'box.