Ten Cheapest Cars to Maintain

 

Smaller is better when picking a car based purely on upkeep, according to Vincentric, a research firm in Bingham Farms, Mich., that calculates ownership costs for every vehicle on the market. Just look at the top 10 vehicles from the 2011 model year with the lowest maintenance and repair costs on our list: Six of them are small by U.S. standards. Why are smaller cars so much cheaper to own? Labor costs and the cost of replacement parts for small cars are usually cheaper. Even so, there are a few big boys on the list, primarily because their free scheduled-maintenance programs are top-notch. Regardless, based mainly on Vincentric data and some insight from our friends at Consumer Reports, here are the 10 cheapest cars to maintain on the road today.

10. Ford Focus

Average maintenance: $1,667

Average repairs: $1,422

Total 5-year service cost: $3,089

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: Better than average

The 2011 Ford Focus is the final evolution of a model that has been on the market since 2000. Its track record was marred early on by hundreds of recalls and terrible reliability. At heart, though, it has always been a fun and practical car, if never the most fuel-efficient or impressive in terms of quality, fit and finish, even once all the gremlins were gone. At least for now, it has finally proved to be reliable. Hopefully, that will carry over to the all-new 2012 model, which launches this year.

9. Toyota Camry Hybrid

Average maintenance: $1,661

Average repairs: $1,406

Total 5-year service cost: $3,067

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: Better than average

It seems odd that the Camry Hybrid, with more technology than a regular Camry, is $64 cheaper to maintain over five years. The reason comes down to tires and the way Vincentric parses data. First of all, maintenance and repair costs for the Camry Hybrid are calculated separately from the other three Camry models. Meanwhile, the SE trim of the regular Camry has larger wheels, which require tires that cost almost $200 more to replace. That added cost gets averaged in with the other nonhybrid trims to create a higher overall maintenance and repair figure for the regular Camry.

8. Cadillac STS

Average maintenance: $1,173

Average repairs: $1,885

Total 5-year service cost: $3,058

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: Worse than average

The Cadillac STS and the Chevrolet Aveo — both General Motors cars — are the only two vehicles on the list with poor reliability as calculated by Consumer Reports. Reliability does affect repair costs, but generally not maintenance, says David Wurster, president of Vincentric. Cadillac's free maintenance program helps give this sedan the lowest 5-year costs for routine scheduled service of any vehicle on the list. And that, in turn, helps offset its repair costs, which are the highest of the group, partly because of pricier parts and labor.

7. Volvo S40 / V50

Average maintenance: $1,329

Average repairs: $1,727

Total 5-year service cost: $3,056

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: N/A

The Volvo S40 and V50 are twins; one is a sedan, the other a wagon. They have identical service costs, brought down by Volvo's generous free-maintenance schedule, which lowers the 5-year service total by nearly $2,000. That's huge. The S40 and V50 were launched in 2005 and have changed little since then. Consumer Reports doesn't have reliability data on the current model, but past models have had trouble spots. Volvo sold 74,894 S40 and V50 cars from 2006 through 2010; split the two up and they are by far the slowest sellers of this lot.

6. Cadillac DTS

Average maintenance: $1,269

Average repairs: $1,774

Total 5-year service cost: $3,043

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: Average

The Cadillac DTS is a rolling anachronism, the last bastion of old-school, fat-cat Detroit decadence. Cadillac's free-maintenance program helped get this plush, full-size luxury sedan in the ranking by slashing $1,090 from its 5-year service cost. Another factor that could be working in its favor is the profile of a typical DTS driver, who tends to be older and not as likely to rack up a lot of miles or wear and tear. This might help curtail the extended-warranty claims that help drive Vincentric's 5-year service-cost projections.

5. Chevrolet Aveo

Average maintenance: $1,614

Average repairs: $1,422

Total 5-year service cost: $3,036

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: Much worse than average

The Aveo sedan and Aveo5 hatchback have identical service-cost projections. These Korean-made cars stand out for how cheap they are, not only to buy, but to maintain. Consumer Reports gives them low marks on reliability, but we weren't able to reconcile that with Vincentric's data, which show the Aveo has the second-lowest repair costs over five years — beat only by the Camry Hybrid. With regard to routine maintenance, though, it has the second-highest total of the group. The Aveo will soon be replaced by an all-new car, the Sonic, which looks to be as dramatic an improvement as the Chevrolet Cruze was over the Cobalt.

4. Toyota Tacoma

Average maintenance: $1,584

Average repairs: $1,451

Total 5-year service cost: $3,035

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: Average

The only pickup truck on the list is among the smallest available in the United States, underscoring once again that size matters and, where maintenance and repair costs are concerned, it's the smaller the better. Besides a solid reputation for reliability, Toyota's new free scheduled-maintenance program helps drive down the truck's upkeep by $258. That's just a fraction of the cost that Cadillac and Volvo kick in with their free programs, which can only burnish Toyota's temporarily tarnished reputation.

3. Toyota Yaris

Average maintenance: $1,623

Average repairs: $1,406

Total 5-year service cost: $3,029

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: Much better than average

From the driver's seat, the Toyota Yaris, like the Chevrolet Aveo, has to be one of the cheapest-feeling cars on the market. Yet it's still a good, capable car, with excellent fuel economy and top marks in reliability from Consumer Reports. Twenty years ago, who would have thought that competition among automakers would someday create an environment where even a budget car like the Yaris would offer its owners free scheduled maintenance?

2. Toyota Corolla

Average maintenance: $1,585

Average repairs: $1,406

Total 5-year service cost: $2,991

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: Better than average

The Corolla is one of the best-selling cars of all time. Over the past five years alone, Toyota has sold more than 1.7 million Corollas in the United States. The only other car on this list to have sold in higher numbers during that time frame is the Camry, at more than 2 million units. In some parts of the world, the Corolla is considered a commodious family car. Here in the U.S, it's seen as just another small one. Regardless of size, it gets almost everything right. If it had a little more pizzazz it would be perfect.

1. Honda Fit

Average maintenance: $1,494

Average repairs: $1,444

Total 5-year service cost: $2,937

Consumer Reports predicted reliability: Much better than average

Drivers of compact SUVs should give cars such as the Honda Fit a try. Because even though it looks small on the outside, the Fit is so cleverly packaged that it feels nearly as versatile and spacious as some small crossovers — no joke. Yet it gets much better mileage and costs less, not only to buy, but to maintain and repair. The Fit will face increasing competition in years to come, not just from the Ford Fiesta, but also from the Chevrolet Sonic, Fiat 500, Hyundai Accent and a host of other cars that pack tons of value into tiny packages.

MSN Autos

Chrysler plant to get $843M for 9-speed transmissions

According to The Detroit News, Chrysler is investing $843 million in its Kokomo, Ind., manufacturing facility to prepare to produce a new 9-speed ZF transmission. The report says the transmission will find its way into the company’s front-wheel-drive products, which means that Chrysler will soon have high-gear-count transaxles across the board. A new 8-speed ZF transmission is set to land on the option sheet for some of the domestic automaker’s rear-wheel-drive platforms by the end of this year.

The new front-wheel-drive gearbox is a key piece of the company’s fuel-economy strategy. While Chrysler hasn’t said which models will receive the hardware, it could show up in vehicles such as the Chrysler 200 and Town & Country as well as the Dodge Avenger, Grand Caravan and Journey. Since those products have been handicapped by 4- and 5-speed automatic transmissions for years, the addition of a genuinely advanced drivetrain can only do good things for Chrysler's corporate average fuel economy.

The manufacturer has been making do with "good-enough" technology for years after being owned by names such as Daimler and Cerberus. By and large, that left Chrysler products feeling just short of competitive compared with rivals from Ford and General Motors -- and woefully unfit to match wits with products from Japan. A 9-speed transmission will put the automaker well ahead of its competition both here and abroad for years to come by simultaneously improving drivability and fuel economy; when combined with the recently introduced Pentastar V6 engine, it may even be enough to make the Chrysler 200 livable.

msn

2013 BMW 3 - series

As we inch closer to the 2012 launch of the sixth-generation BMW 3-series, code-named F30, more details emerge—along with better spy shots. The photos seen here reveal a compact sedan that, visually, remains close to the current model: The proportions are virtually unchanged, and, with the tape-covered front and rear lights, it takes an expert to spot the differences.

Specifically, the lower body side gets a more-pronounced crease, which is picked up by the rear bumper. Somewhat surprisingly, one of the two cars captured here carries a regular sunroof, not a panoramic one, as has been BMW’s fashion of late. Prominent changes will be made to the front end, with the next 3er getting a less-convoluted headlight design. And inside, the dashboard will lose the bump above the optional navigation screen. The interior of this 3 will stay in the mold of the previous generations; there is none of the radical "layered" styling that was introduced with the Efficient Dynamics concept and which will trickle down to the series-production i8.

More interesting are the new 3’s technological changes. The next generation will remain rear-wheel drive with an optional all-wheel-drive system, but it will be powered by an entirely new family of engines, all of them turbocharged. BMW will offer four- and six-cylinder diesel and gasoline engines. This forced-induction mantra applies to the next M3 as well, which will receive a 400-plus-hp inline-six. Available transmissions across the lineup will include a manual, a torque-converter automatic, and a dual-clutch automatic.

BMW also is working on a three-cylinder engine, which could find its way into the 3-series. A hybrid 3-series is planned, too—but unlike the three-cylinder unit, it’s being created with the U.S. market in mind.

The four-door sedan will continue to be the most important model, but this time around, BMW is going after every possible niche with additional body variations. BMW will offer a station wagon, a "Gran Turismo" five-door hatchback, a two-door coupe, a folding-hardtop convertible and, at least according to rumor, a real softtop convertible as well.

The BMW 3-series is the company's core model and the benchmark for sports sedans around the world. BMW must try to stay ahead of the game in terms of handling, fit and finish, and sheer driving excitement. The mildly revised shape is a good sign—let’s just hope BMW doesn’t mess with the rest of the recipe too much.

2012 Porsche Cayman S Black Edition

Black is perhaps most evocative of death or misfortune, but when sprayed on a car, it creates a sinister, menacing aura that we find more than a little alluring. It’s not quite magical enough to make us think differently of, say, the Pontiac Aztek, but pour it over something that has some zing and suddenly, it’s got a lot more pull. Porsche, no stranger to lusty products—and apparently with a surplus of black paint, judging by the previously revealed Black Editions of the Boxster S and 911—is now extending the Black treatment to the Cayman S.

As the name suggests—to say nothing of the other Black Edition cars—the Cayman S Black Edition is the color of evil, as are its lightweight 19-inch Boxster Spyder wheels, air intakes, and exhaust tips. The theme continues inside, including black cloth seats with leather trim—all-hide chairs are an option we expect most buyers will choose—black-faced gauges, and, of course, black trim for the dash and center console. “Black Edition” script adorns the sill plates, and a plaque on the glove box denotes each car’s production number within the limited run. The Cayman Black will be the rarest of the group with only 500 copies set for production. (Porsche will build up to 1911 Black Edition 911s and 987 Black Boxsters.)

Thanks, Cayman R

Accompanying the visual treatments is a predictable 10-hp bump in output, compliments of the Cayman R’s exhaust. The 3.4-liter flat-six produces a total of 330 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, the latter unchanged from the S. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard, while the equally excellent but not as engaging PDK seven-speed dual-clutch transmission will be on the options list. Other costly extras like carbon-ceramic brakes and an adaptive suspension also are on the menu.

Like the Boxster Black Edition, the darkened Cayman actually represents a savings of several thousand dollars compared to a similarly spec'ed S. For $68,450, the Black Cayman includes navigation, xenon headlights, an upgraded Bose stereo system, and other assorted goodies. Deliveries begin in July, and with just 500 being produced worldwide, you’ll probably need to move quickly to get your hands on one. Given the ominous looks and bargain pricing, it’s certainly worth a shot.

Aston Martin’s Collaboration with Zagato - 50 Years of Partnership

Once again, Aston Martin and Zagato (Italian design house) are collaborating for a new project car. It’s been 50 long years after the unveiling of the astonishing DB4GT Zagato.

This new and attractive car will make its first appearance at the Villa D-Este concours in Italy on May 21. Following this debut, the car will then make its racing debut on May 28 at Nürburgring endurance race. Aston Martin wants to measure the initial customer reaction which will give them a brief outline of the demand for this car following the production car in 2012.

Adding to this initial success, CEO Ulrich Bez has said that the DNA of both Aston Martin and Zagato were combined successfully to create the world’s most desirable collector cars in the past. In this special occasion, something special should happen to make this 50th anniversary memorable. So it will be a perfect time to explore a modern collaboration through the DB4GT Zagato.

In the year 1961, the DB4GT Zagato was debuted as a racecar. This debut was followed after a preview in late 1960 that was held at the London motor show. At the end, Aston Martin built total 19 cars to fulfill the customer order. Today, the joint venture of Aston Martin and Zagato is considered as among the more exclusive and successful automotive partnerships in the past half century.

Wheelsandmore is in Demand – Modified Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG

New performance upgrades have been released in the market by the German tuner Wheelsandmore for the new Mercedes CLS series type 218.

Recently, the tuner has also undergone a new program for the Audi R-Stream V10 Spyder and this time, it has rubbed its hands successfully for Mercedes series. Tough the tuner seems have added quite similar features to this car, but something new can be expected. The tuner’s prime focus is on the new three-piece forged wheelmodel 6Sporz², which can even be found on its other program for Spyder. Where the German tuner has added similar wheel feature for two different models, it failed to convince its engineers from Baesweiler.

Basically, the engineers were not satisfied with the Afalterbach’s serial performance of the new twin-turbo engine. The engine offered 525 horsepower, but the tuner increased its power through the upgraded control electronics which offered good results by combining it with a valve controlled exhaust system and sport catalysts. Merging altogether, the car delivers 580 horsepower with additional 801 lb-ft of torque. The speed limitation facilitates measures in this way.

This new CLS AMG Coupe utilizes a blend of conventional suspension at the front and air suspension at the rearaxle. To decrease the center of gravity, Wheelsandmore along with a tuning company, German suspension specialists KW automotive has created a solution. This solution includes a height adjustable sprint kit which will be used for the frontaxle and is merged with adjustable level control electronics for axis number two.

Project Kahn’s New Project – 2011 Rolls-Royce Phantom

Being one of the famous tuning companies, Project Kahn never runs behind the tuning projects. It has its own taste and standard which it always tries to show the world.

Recently, Project Kahn has released its Maybach 57 Wedding Commemorative Edition and now this British tuning firm which is headed by Afzal Kahn is gearing up for the other project. The only difference what appears at present is that the tuner this time has not tuned a wedding edition, but has upgraded the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe. With lots of aesthetic modifications, this car is set to rule on many in the industry.

No doubt that Phantom was already a striking car which has received even more stunning look such as window surrounds, head light surrounds, rear light surrounds, under floor lighting, and a shadow-line finish to go with clear side lights. Along with this, the British tuner has also fitted some additional features to the Phantom such as bullet resistant glass that will fit into the high-security profile.

What gives this car a more aesthetic look is from a new set of diamond polished 22″ Kahn Silver Mist Rolls Royce wheels. When it comes to interior of the Phantom, the tuner says it can be tailor-made which will completely depend on the tastes and whims of the customers. Well as it’s a matter of luxury cars, customers have to think twice before knocking them out.

Quake hammers Toyota net income, but recovery pace bumped up

TOKYO -- Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami hammered fourth-quarter profits at Toyota Motor Corp., slashing net income 77 percent amid production stops and sliding sales.

But the world's biggest automaker said recovery is progressing faster than anticipated and that output will start returning to normal in June, up to two months earlier than envisioned in April.

Net income plunged to 25.4 billion yen ($306.5 million) in the fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, from 112.2 billion yen ($1.35 billion) a year earlier, the company said in a statement early today.

The net income was much lower than the 104 billion yen ($1.26 billion) average of four analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg in the past four weeks.

Revenue fell 12 percent to 4.64 trillion yen ($56.0 billion), from 5.28 trillion yen ($63.7 billion). Global sales slid 12 percent to 1.79 million units in the quarter, with North America moving just 483,000 vehicles, compared with 551,000 the year before.

Still reeling

Toyota is still reeling from the impact of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that slammed northeastern Japan and paralyzed the country's auto industry. Like its Japanese rivals, Toyota has had to shutter assembly plants in Japan and cut production overseas for a lack of parts.

Toyota declined to give a forecast for the current fiscal year because of lingering uncertainties.

But the quake could cost Toyota its global sales crown, pushing it behind General Motors Co., currently No. 2, and possibly even No. 3 Volkswagen AG.

The quake has cost Toyota 170,000 units in lost sales, noted Executive Vice President Satoshi Ozawa. Toyota also booked a special 110 billion yen ($1.33 billion) charge for quake costs.

Recovery on track

President Akio Toyoda, grandson of the automaker's founder, said the company is rebounding faster than expected. Assembly plants at home and abroad will see production pick up in June, with Toyota's global output averaging about 70 percent of pre-quake levels then, he said.

"Our efforts at production normalization are progressing faster than announced," Toyoda said.

"We are now confident that our vehicle production will recover to about 70 percent of our normal production volume on a worldwide basis from June," he said.

Just three weeks ago, Toyoda said assembly plants in Japan would begin rebounding in July, with U.S. and other overseas plants seeing the up tick in August.

Meanwhile, Toyota has also whittled down its list of at-risk parts to 30 components, from about 150 last month. Despite the bumped-up schedule, Toyoda said normal production is still expected to be achieved in November or December -- in line with last month's outlook.

Casting doubt on the recovery is uncertainty about the supply of electricity during the hot summer months, because several key nuclear power plants are expected to be offline.

"There is still a series of aftershocks, so we can't get overly confident," Toyoda added.

North American bright spot

North America emerged as a bright spot in the fourth quarter, despite the sales slowdown.

Regional operating profit surged to 88.4 billion yen ($1.07 billion) in the three months ended March 31, compared with an operating loss of 21.2 billion yen ($255.9 million) a year earlier. The results restored North America's traditional role as Toyota's most profitable market.

Quake-hammered Japan, however, slumped to a regional operating loss of 188.0 billion yen ($2.27 billion) in the quarter, widening a loss of 1.5 billion yen ($18.1 million) a year earlier.

The yen's steady climb in value against other currencies, including the dollar and euro, also made export-dependent domestic operations less profitable.

For the full fiscal year, net income at Toyota nearly doubled to 408.1 billion yen ($4.93 billion), from 209.4 billion yen ($2.53 billion) the year before.

Operating profit surged to 468.2 billion yen ($5.65 billion), from 147.5 billion yen ($1.78 billion). Global sales advanced just 1 percent to 7.31 million units, from 7.24 million.

2011 Hyundai Sonata SE

The drive from Michigan to New York City takes roughly six times as long as hopping on a plane, but that didn't stop associate web editor Evan McCausland from making the ten-hour trip in our Four Seasons Sonata last month. Our Sonata was the affordable way to travel, as the frugal 2.4-liter four squeezed 35 miles out of every gallon of regular over the 1378-mile journey. And sacrificing time means big rewards in comfort. "The Sonata's cabin is by no means luxurious," he reports, "but it's far more hospitable than a cramped coach seat on a Bombardier CRJ."

Days before McCausland's trip, we took a look at the mid-April sky, said a little prayer, and finally removed the winter tires. The Sonata is back on its original eighteen-inch wheels and Hankook Optimo all-season. We're exited to have the Sonata back on stiffer rubber that brings more responsive steering, better handling, and an improved ride -- exactly the stuff that earned the Sonata its All-Star award last year. And our timing proved to be just right.

Although the bitter cold has disappeared, the rattles that we first noted a couple months ago have not. "When you're driving on a rough road and have the radio off or the volume low, it can be very annoying," noted copy editor Rusty Blackwell. Several drivers have traced the noise to the sunroof area and observed that closing the shade either stops or significantly dampens the chatter.

While our Four Seasons fleet has plenty of utility vehicles, the Sonata's large trunk proved just as practical for new homeowner McCausland, who loaded the car with provisions for cleaning: "Mops, vacuums, folding chairs, card tables, et cetera. I was able to fit everything in the trunk, although I folded a portion of the rear seatback to make room for a tall vacuum." Not long thereafter, senior web editor Phil Floraday easily filled the trunk with "a big roll of plastic (to replace the rear and side windows in a race car) plus a couple pieces of luggage." His home-brewed beer would have fit, too, but it rode in the air-conditioned cabin instead.

Floraday's Ann Arbor-to-Chicago trip was flawless save for a minor hiccup in pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth but playing audio through the USB cord. "Unfortunately, the phone wanted to communicate with the Sonata's stereo through Bluetooth streaming instead of the dock connector," he grumbled. "Each time I got in the car, the iPhone would play music through the dock connector for a few seconds before defaulting to the Bluetooth audio connection."

The solution is fairly simple, but inconvenient when you want to jump in the car and drive without fussing with the phone. To send the audio through the phone, the audio source has to be changed on the iPhone after both connections are made. "I presume this is an Apple software issue since I recently upgraded my iPhone OS and I don't remember this happening with our Sonata before," he noted. "It was a bit annoying to have to manually change the audio source each time I got in the car, but the system worked very well once I did my part to make it work."

2011 Hyundai Sonata SE

Base price (with dest.): $23,315

Price as tested: $25,965

Overview

Body Style: 4-door sedan

Accommodation: 5-passenger

Construction: Steel unitbody

Powertrain

Engine: DOHC direct-injected inline 4-cylinder

Displacement: 2.4 liters

Power: 200 hp @ 6300 rpm

Torque: 186 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Drive: Front-wheel

Fuel economy: 22/35/26 mpg (city/hwy/combined)

Chassis

Steering: Power-assisted rack-and-pinion

Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0

Turning Circle: 35.8 ft

Suspension, Front: Strut type; coil spring

Suspension, Rear: Multi-link; coil spring

Brakes F/R: Power-assisted ventilated disc/disc; ABS

Wheels: 18-in aluminum-alloy

Tires: Hankook Optimo H431 all-season tires

Tire Size: 225/45R18

Measurements

Headroom F/R: 40.0 / 37.8 in

Legroom F/R: 45.5 / 34.6 in

Shoulder Room F/R: 57.9 / 56.7 in

Wheelbase: 110.0 in

Track F/R: 62.5 / 62.5 in

L x W x H: 189.8 x 72.2 x 57.9 in

Cargo Capacity: 16.4 cu ft

Weight: 3316 lb

Fuel Capacity: 18.5 gal

Est. Range: 480 miles

Fuel Grade: 87 octane

Standard Equipment

2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine

6-speed automatic transmission

18-inch alloy wheels

Electronic stability control

Traction control

4-wheel disc brakes with ABS

Tire pressure monitoring system

Fog lights

Power windows/locks/mirrors

60/40 split-folding rear seat

Tilt/telescoping steering column

Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

Steering wheel mounted cruise, audio, and phone controls

Air conditioning

AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system

6 speakers

iPod/USB and auxiliary jack input

Bluetooth connectivity

Options on this vehicle:

Navigation and sunroof package -- $2600

Navigation with high-res touch screen display

Power sunroof with tilt and slide feature

Dimension AM/FM/XM/CD premium audio system

Subwoofer

Cargo net -- $50

Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Bicolore & LP570-4 Spyder Performante

Ezra dyer got to go to Rome to drive Lamborghini's latest flagship, the Aventador, which replaces the Murcielago. A week before he flew to Italy, I am at the Monticello Motor Club 100 miles northwest of Manhattan to drive the two latest versions of the Aventador's smaller sibling, the Gallardo. Rome is nice, but the swanky, members-only, Monticello track is no slum, and I don't have to worry about jet lag, just clipping apexes correctly. Also, the Gallardo might not be the latest and greatest Lamborghini, but the LP550-2 Bicolore and the LP570-4 Spyder Performante are the latest and greatest Gallardos. The Gallardo, for its part, is the best-selling Lamborghini of all time. More than 10,000 of them have been sold worldwide since the car debuted at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, its sales buttressed by a carefully orchestrated rollout of new models designed to tempt rich guys who cannot resist the latest Italian baubles. There is a group of such rich guys, specially invited by Lamborghini, waiting in the Monticello canteen for the peasant scribes to finish our morning drive so they can take the wheels of the LP550-2 Bicolore and LP570-4 Spyder Performante test cars, assuming we don't destroy them first. One of these guys tells me he already owns a Gallardo coupe; another tells me he owns a Ferrari F430 Spider. If they are surprised that they have to wait for the likes of us to finish driving before they are allowed out on the track, they are polite enough not to show it.

The LP550-2 Bicolore coupe, the first rear-wheel-drive Gallardo since the limited-edition Balboni, is solely for America: other markets get the all-wheel-drive LP560-4 Bicolore. Only 250 Balboni models were built, and they cost $224,895. By comparison, the Bicolore's base price is $196,995. Unlike the Balboni, though, it's offered only with the E-gear sequential manual transmission, rather than with a choice between E-gear and a conventional six-speed manual. If you want to shift for yourself, the $27,900 you've saved by not succumbing to the Balboni back in 2009 could buy you a stick-shift Volkswagen GTI, with money left over.

During the presentation, Lamborghini officials try to explain the differences between a Balboni and a Bicolore and between a Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder and a Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante, but even they seem confused by the proliferation of models they have wrought. I add to the confusion by asking, "So, you're saying that the Performante is a Spyder that's been Superleggera-ized? Or are you saying that the Performante is a Superleggera that's been Spyder-ized?"

I know I'm confused during my first forays onto the south course at Monticello, an amusing amalgam of turns and elevations with some spring rainwater lurking in the low corners. I'm riding shotgun as another journalist tries valiantly to keep up with our instructor, the ridiculously handsome Indy Lights driver Richard Antinucci, who's driving a Superleggera coupe with what he says are nearly bald tires. This doesn't stop him from keeping the V-10 on full boil and from braking late, exiting corners early, and generally thrashing his Gallardo mercilessly.

What does the Superleggera coupe have to do with today's exercise? Not much, except that the LP570-4 Spyder Performante (seen here in white with a black fabric roof) represents the first time that the carbon-fiber-intensive, weight-saving program of the Superleggera (superlightweight) coupe has been applied to the ragtop Gallardo, resulting in a car that weighs some 143 pounds less than the stock Spyder. Wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't such a car simply be called the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Superleggera? Perhaps, but don't you think a car that costs $248,000 plus $2995 in delivery plus $2100 in gas-guzzler taxes deserves an exciting new name like Performante? And, hey, it's got a new front bumper for better aerodynamics, stiffer bushings and dampers, and it squeezes 562 hp out of the 5.2-liter V-10. Lambo says it will reach 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, one-tenth of a second quicker than the stock Spyder.

Back to the Bicolore. You distinguish it from other current Gallardos by its all-black top half (A-pillars, roof, engine cover, and rear spoiler) and one of five colors for its bottom half: white, yellow, blue, gray, or orange. The black-over-orange combo seen here is cool, but if you prefer a more stealthy look, a black-over-gray Bicolore is as sleek and elegant as a Prada boot and far more desirable. I swap back and forth between the rear-wheel-drive, 542-hp, two-tone, black-roofed Gallardo LP550-2 Bicolore coupe and the all-wheel-drive, 562-hp, winged Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante, all the while trying to keep pace with Antinucci.

The Performante, like all four-wheel-drive Gallardos before it, suffers from some understeer and some dullness in the steering itself, but it's still an electrifying car, and it feels incredibly stable and predictable and responsive and powerful as it catapults you around Monticello. The brakes are amazing and the E-gear quick-shifting. The rear-wheel-drive Bicolore, for its part, has stupendous grip, precise steering, and a natural and fluid character. It certainly fulfills the desires of Lamborghini enthusiasts who have long pined for the purity of rear-wheel drive. On the debit side, with that purity comes squirrelly behavior in the front end of the car under severe braking, and this requires a firm hand at the steering wheel to stay pointed straight ahead.

Even as the Aventador begins its reign as Lamborghini's flagship, this is the beginning of the end for the Gallardo, which likely will be replaced in a couple years. The Bicolore and the Performante probably aren't the last special editions that the product planners will concoct, though. What comes next? It's hard to say, but whatever it is, it will have some crazy name, it will be offered in a profusion of bright paint colors, and Ezra Dyer and I will fight over who gets to drive it first.

The Specs

LP550-2 Bicolore

ON SALE: Now

PRICE: $196,995

ENGINE: 5.2L V-10, 542 hp, 398 lb-ft

DRIVE: 2-wheel

LP570-4 Spyder Performante

ON SALE: Now

PRICE: $253,095

ENGINE: 5.2 L V-10, 562 hp, 398 lb-ft

DRIVE: 4-wheel