Taming of the bull; Well-paid secretaries-er, executive assistants-never had it so good.(Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.'s Gallardo Spyder)

Byline: J.P. VETTRAINO

Nothing terribly complicated here, right? Gallardo Spyder is an evolution of the faster-than-Ferrari baby Lambo, which is already the bestselling Lamborghini ever. Two years after its launch the V10 Gallardo Coupe ("Lambo Chops,'' July 28, 2003) did something the Diablo took 10 years to achieve, reaching 3000 sales.

Times are good in Sant' Agata. Counting the V12 Murcielago, Lamborghini's annual sales have increased five times in four years, to 1600 in 2005. Lambo's managers predict 1800 to 1900 deliveries in 2006. They insist this 20 percent growth rate is "measured,'' maintaining both quality and exclusivity. Automobili Lamborghini has made money four straight years-a rarity through its 43-year history. A wholly owned subsidiary of Audi AG since 1998, Lamborghini is thriving. Management credits the product, particularly the all-wheel-drive Gallardo.

The management isn't quite as Italian as it once was. Lamborghini's board of directors is German. CEO Stephan Winkelmann's long, dark hair and mutton-chop sideburns look stereotypical Italian, but he is German. So is Dominik Hoberg, director of corporate image. Marketing manager Manfred Fitzgerald is American. The highest-ranking Italian is R&D chief Gabrielle Gabrielli.

Objectives for the '06 Spyder matched those for the Coupe, according to Gabrielli: "Purity, athleticism and sharpness, with technical superiority'' over an unnamed competitor-obviously the Ferrari F430 Spider.

The Gallardo Spyder's aluminum spaceframe gets typical roadster structural enhancements, primarily through the sills and A-pillars. Its rear spoiler extends and retracts automatically, like the Coupe's. Downforce on both axles is roughly the same as that on the Coupe. At 3461 pounds dry, the Spyder weighs 300 pounds more than the Gallardo Coupe (and the rear-drive F430 Spider, by published figures). Yet Gabrielli notes that with 11,000 lb-ft required to generate one degree of flex, the Spyder frame is "remarkably rigid.'' More rigid than an open Ferrari? "Yes. For sure. A lot.''

Gallardo's convertible top is about a foot tall, so when it's closed this Spyder is like a speedster. Hold the button in front of the gearshift, and in about 25 seconds two motors and six hydraulic rams lift the top from the windshield frame, slide the carbon fiber engine cover back, fold the top around the engine and then slide the cover back into place. Voila, a Spyder, and a head-turner it is.