Let’s compare that to Italy, arguably home of the Supercar. I often have the pleasure of gunning one of the Lamborghini’s over the Swiss Alps to the little village of Sant’Agata Bolognese near Modena, home of Automobili Lamborghini Spa. Should I happen to meet another of Sant’Agata’s finest on the autostrada, the predictable wild gesticulations from the occupants never fails to raise a grin. Nor does the almost hysterical reaction from locals on seeing one of their own. Such bonhomie in complete contrast to good old England where a shaken fist is often the response.

But another of the troubles of owning a Supercar is that all eyes are on you, especially when trying to alight with dignity. Being a clumsy oaf, I have more than a few embarrassing tales of woe including one dating from just a few months ago, when I was nearing the front of one of those long silent queues waiting to pay in a fuel station. On reaching the till the attendant nodded at the black Aston Martin DBS I’d thundered up in, now parked next to pump 4 and asked ‘How much?’ Well used to this question I replied without hesitation ‘Oh about £170 grand’. ‘No’ he replied throwing me a nauseous look, ‘how much fuel did you put in it’?

I’ll save the worst till last though. Out with a friend in Leeds centre just recently, and this time ensconced in 6th Gear’s bright Orange Lamborghini Murcielago. I was persuaded by my passenger to park in a rare space outside a well known bar on Greek Street. As there’s almost no rear vision in these monsters, reversing isn’t exactly child’s play. The trick is to raise the upward opening door, perch on the sill, and lean far out to get a clear view behind. I’d almost completed this conspicuous manoeuvre  with an audience gathering – and was feeling quite pleased with myself at getting it spot on. That was until my foot accidentally slipped from the clutch thereby propelling this carbon fibre weapon into the front of a Clio parked behind, all amid the cheers of aforementioned onlookers. It still makes me cringe now.

They don’t warn you about that in the manual….

Simon George

Simon George is a long standing contributing writer best selling car magazine ‘Evo’ and co-founder of 6th Gear, a Supercar Driving Experience company based near York. Covering well over 100,000 road and track miles a year in 6th Gear’s fleet he begins a series of articles on the trials and tribulations of owning and running Supercars..

In an end of year statement, the exclusive manufacturer says that it does not expect to revise its plans for 2009 despite an industry wide downturn in car sales.

Providing reassurance to fans of the brand, Lamborghini say investment into R&D will not be reduced while the ongoing expansion of its brand presence across the globe will not be abated either.

Claiming that they are not completely untouched by the economic crisis, the carmaker says there will be no layoffs of its staff, but an extension of the Christmas holiday for eight days.

The company confirms that it will continue its strategy of announcing at least one new product each year. The latest examples of this are the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupe for which deliveries commenced summer 2008, and the Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder unveiled in November 2008 with market launch in spring 2009.

RoadTestReports.co.uk rates the Lamborghini Gallardo at three stars. Have you drive one? Let us know what you think by submitting a review here.