LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO REBORN: MEET THE HOMMAGE 26

More than two decades after the Lamborghini Gallardo first revolutionised the Italian marque's fortunes, the celebrated V10 supercar has been given an extraordinary second life. Introducing the CAVËN Atelier HOMMAGE 26, an exclusive restomod developed in collaboration with legendary automotive designer Fabrizio Giugiaro, who helped shape the original Gallardo during his time at Italdesign in the late 1990s.

Unveiled at the prestigious Concours at Wynn Las Vegas, the HOMMAGE 26 represents the first creation from CAVËN Atelier's ambitious Designer Series, which invites the original designers of iconic automobiles to revisit their creations using contemporary materials and engineering. For Giugiaro, whose original Gallardo proposal dates back to 1998, the project presents a rare opportunity to refine a design nearly three decades after its conception.

A FAMILIAR SILHOUETTE, COMPLETELY REIMAGINED Although the HOMMAGE 26 retains the unmistakable wedge-shaped proportions of the original Gallardo, almost every exterior surface has been redesigned. Its striking new bodywork is constructed predominantly from carbon fibre, with only the central roof section, windscreen, side windows, door mirrors and mirror bases carried over from the donor vehicle.

Among the most distinctive additions are the innovative pop-down headlights, which reinterpret an ambitious lighting concept Giugiaro originally envisioned in 1998. The front fascia features dramatically sculpted air intakes, while the rear receives entirely new LED lighting, an aggressive diffuser and active aerodynamic flaps integrated into the upper bodywork.

A redesigned engine cover further enhances the supercar's appearance, accompanied by an opening rear window that allows the V10's unmistakable soundtrack to resonate directly into the cabin. Inside, revised seating, updated graphics and carefully considered material choices bring a contemporary feel to the familiar Gallardo architecture.

NATURALLY-ASPIRATED V10, MANUAL ENGAGEMENT Beneath its extensively redesigned exterior, the HOMMAGE 26 retains the original Gallardo's magnificent 5.0L naturally-aspirated V10, comprehensively reworked by Italian engineering specialist Italtecnica.

Two configurations will be offered, with the GT producing 540hp and the more focused Performance variant delivering 560hp. Both benefit from an increased 8500rpm rev limit, ensuring the high-revving V10 remains central to the driving experience.

Crucially, power is delivered through a six-speed manual gearbox, preserving the mechanical engagement that made the original Gallardo so desirable. Further upgrades include adjustable suspension with Comfort and Sport settings, enhanced braking hardware and bespoke 20in alloy wheels.

Rather than pursuing outright power figures, the HOMMAGE 26 has been developed around driver involvement, combining the character of an analogue supercar with carefully selected modern technology.

EXCLUSIVITY COMES AT A PRICE Production of the HOMMAGE 26 will be strictly limited to just 25 individually commissioned examples, each based on a first-generation Lamborghini Gallardo supplied by the customer or sourced by CAVËN Atelier.

The transformation carries a starting price of approximately $1 million, excluding the donor car and applicable taxes, placing the finished creation firmly within the territory of some of the world's most exclusive modern supercars.

The HOMMAGE 26 also marks the beginning of a broader ambition for CAVËN Atelier, with further projects already in development under its Designer Series programme. Each will see an influential automotive designer revisit an earlier creation, offering collectors a distinctive alternative to conventional restorations and modern reinterpretations.

For the Gallardo, the timing feels particularly appropriate. With Lamborghini's current Temerario embracing electrification and turbocharged power, the appeal of a naturally-aspirated V10 paired with a traditional manual gearbox has arguably never been stronger.

The HOMMAGE 26 is therefore more than simply a modernised Gallardo. It is an opportunity for one of the car's original creative minds to revisit an automotive icon, preserving the qualities that made it special while exploring what might have been possible without the limitations of its original era.

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