We’ve discussed many concepts & prototypes from Lamborghini on RareCarsOnly, and today, I think it’s important to include this one as well. This is the 1995 Lamborghini Calà, also known as the ItalDesign Calà. The origins behind the Calà project first brings us to a different car, the Lamborghini P140 prototype. The P140 was a prototype developed in (at least) three total units, two being functional, one being a static display, and it was also the first ever Lamborghini to be powered by a V10 engine. It was planned to become the companies successor to the Jalpa model, and the development began just shortly after Lamborghini was purchased by Chrysler in April of 1987. Although the P140 seemed promising, the Gulf Oil Crisis of the 1990’s caused a fading interesting in high-performance gas guzzling automobiles, so unfortunately, the Marcello Gandini designed P140 project was shelved by Chrysler, only to be revived years later by another well-known designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro. Chrysler sold Lamborghini to a Bermuda-registered holding company known as Megatech in 1994. Under this new ownership, Megatech would revive the P140 prototypes now working in collaboration with Giorgetto Giugiaro and his engineering company Italdesign. The same engine and transmission would be taken from one of the P140 prototypes and would be implemented on a completely new design known as the Calà. The name Calà derives from a Piedmontese dialect of Northern Italy & means “look, over there!”. While the Calà didn’t share the same ‘wedge’ shape as previous Lamborghini designs, it did share many design elements from previous models such as the headlights & slatted rear window that were inspired by the Miura, and the use of the Diablo’s taillights. In 1998, Lamborghini was again purchased by a new company, this time being the the Volkswagen Audi group. While the new ownership did not carry out the Calà itself, they did deliver the V10 powered Gallardo production model in 2003.
How many made? 1 of 1
Engine: all-alloy 4.0L V10 - 372hp
Debut: 1995 Geneva Motor Show
Top Speed: 181mph
0-60mph: less than 5 seconds
Photo Credit: @famoia76
Research: @rarecarsonly