Tedson Motors Etna: The Lamborghini Gallardo Restomod You Didn't Know You Needed
In the world of automotive restoration and tuning, few companies manage to turn heads quite like Croatian firm Tedson Motors. Known for its meticulous work on Porsche models, including the high-performance Daydream restomod, Tedson has now set its sights on the Lamborghini Gallardo—a car that, in its original form, was a giant in the supercar world. The result? The Etna, a modified Gallardo that reimagines the V10-powered Italian icon while retaining the charm and spirit of the original.
The Etna is a perfect example of the restomod philosophy—a blend of vintage aesthetics with modern-day performance, materials, and technology. Tedson’s vision is clear: to create a car that retains the old-school thrills of the Gallardo while delivering a lighter, more powerful, and more responsive driving experience. Here’s an in-depth look at what the Etna brings to the table, from its design to its mechanical enhancements.
The Base: Lamborghini Gallardo
Before we dive into the changes made to the Gallardo, it's worth recalling what made this car such a milestone for Lamborghini. Produced from 2003 to 2013, the Gallardo became the best-selling model in the brand's history, with over 14,000 units sold globally. The Gallardo’s 5.0-liter V10 engine, paired with all-wheel drive and a striking, angular design, made it one of the most celebrated supercars of the early 21st century.
However, as Lamborghini’s focus shifted towards newer models, including the V12-powered Murciélago and the more recent Huracán, the Gallardo's legacy somewhat faded into the background. Despite this, the Gallardo still holds a place in the hearts of enthusiasts. With its distinctive V10 engine, hydraulic steering, and analog feel, it offers a raw driving experience that is becoming increasingly rare in today’s digital age of supercars.
Tedson’s Etna: A Restomod Revelation
Tedson Motors, a relatively young and ambitious Croatian automotive company, has been in the restomod game for a few years, with its initial foray into the market being a reworked Porsche 964. For the Etna, Tedson decided to work with the Gallardo’s first-generation model. What makes the Etna special is that it doesn’t just offer a cosmetic overhaul but aims to enhance the driving dynamics of the original Gallardo, addressing areas such as weight, power, suspension, and the driving experience itself.
Exterior Design: A Subtle but Powerful Transformation
The first thing you'll notice about the Etna is the subtle yet impactful design changes that set it apart from the standard Gallardo. The car’s body has been reworked with carbon fiber, shedding nearly 450 pounds from the original car’s weight. This reduction in mass is crucial not just for performance but also for enhancing the handling dynamics of the Etna.
The Gallardo’s wide, aggressive stance is further emphasized in the Etna. The car is 6cm wider than the original, making it even more planted on the road. The addition of larger aerodynamic inlets and modified Teledial wheels adds to the drama, particularly around the rear arches, where the car’s visual impact is most pronounced.
At the rear, Tedson has implemented a unique ducktail spoiler that gives the Etna a more aggressive and purposeful look. This is paired with custom titanium exhaust pipes that not only provide a visually stunning appearance but also offer a weight-saving benefit. The new exhausts contribute to the Etna’s lighter overall weight while ensuring the car retains that signature Lamborghini growl.
The front end of the Etna is equally impressive. Gone are the traditional side vents on the bumper, replaced with a cleaner and more refined design that complements the car’s wider and lower stance. The changes give the Etna a more modern, yet still distinctly Lamborghini, appearance.
Performance and Powertrain: Boosting the V10
While the aesthetic changes to the Etna are impressive, the real magic happens under the hood. The Etna retains the 5.0-liter V10 from the original Gallardo but with significant internal upgrades to enhance performance. The engine has been reworked to produce 592 horsepower, a modest increase over the original’s 502 horsepower, offering a more aggressive power delivery.
Tedson has also increased the redline of the engine to a thrilling 10,000 rpm, which adds to the car’s visceral driving experience. The higher redline allows the engine to rev faster, providing an even more engaging experience for drivers who love to wring every ounce of performance from their machines.
The powertrain also undergoes a transformation with the introduction of a six-speed gated manual transmission. This is a crucial change for enthusiasts who love the tactile engagement of a traditional manual gearbox. Tedson has made it clear that they will only modify Gallardos that come with the automatic E-Gear transmission, preserving the manual models for future generations. This decision will undoubtedly please purists who are nostalgic for the mechanical connection that comes with shifting gears themselves.
Weight Reduction and Handling: A Modernized Gallardo
One of the most significant improvements in the Etna is the weight reduction achieved by Tedson. By using carbon fiber for the body panels, chassis components, and interior elements, the Etna sheds nearly 450 pounds over the donor Gallardo. This substantial reduction in weight transforms the way the car handles and accelerates, making it feel nimbler and more responsive.
To complement the weight-saving efforts, Tedson has also made enhancements to the suspension system, borrowing components from the Gallardo Super Trofeo race cars. These race-bred suspension elements help to sharpen the car’s handling, providing better feedback to the driver and enhancing cornering performance. The Etna's brakes have also been upgraded to offer superior stopping power, ensuring that the car remains composed even under the most demanding conditions.
The result is a more agile, more responsive driving experience that allows the Etna to feel at home on both the street and the track. The lighter weight, combined with the refined suspension and braking systems, means that the Etna delivers a driving experience that is far more immediate and connected than the standard Gallardo.
The Interior: Luxury Meets Performance
Inside, Tedson has carried over the attention to detail and focus on weight reduction. The cabin of the Etna retains much of the Gallardo’s iconic layout, but with modern touches and upgraded materials. Carbon fiber and leather dominate the interior, and Tedson offers various customization options for buyers to tailor the car to their specific tastes.
One of the standout features of the Etna is its use of an electric flywheel to enhance the driving experience. This system provides a hybrid boost to the engine’s low-end torque, improving acceleration and providing a more responsive throttle. This innovative feature makes the Etna feel more lively at lower speeds, enhancing the car's overall drivability.
Tedson has also retained the classic Gallardo elements, such as the hydraulic steering and the even-firing V10 engine, which produce a more traditional driving feel that many supercar enthusiasts appreciate. In a world of digital steering systems and electronically controlled engine notes, the Etna’s more analog approach is a breath of fresh air for purists.
Production and Exclusivity: Limited and Bespoke
Tedson has made it clear that the Etna will be a limited-edition vehicle, with only 77 units planned for production. Each car will take about a year to build, ensuring that every Etna is crafted to the highest standards. Buyers will need to provide their own donor Gallardo, and the total cost for the restomod starts at nearly $800,000, depending on customization choices.
The high price tag reflects the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into each build, as well as the exclusivity of owning a one-of-a-kind Lamborghini restomod. With only 77 cars being made, the Etna will undoubtedly become a rare and highly sought-after collector’s item in the years to come.
Conclusion: The Etna—A Love Letter to the Gallardo
Tedson Motors has succeeded in creating a restomod that honors the spirit of the Lamborghini Gallardo while making it even better. The Etna is a stunning blend of classic design and modern performance, offering a driving experience that feels both nostalgic and cutting-edge. With its lightweight construction, enhanced engine performance, and more responsive handling, the Etna redefines what a Lamborghini Gallardo can be.
For those fortunate enough to have the means to commission one of these limited-edition creations, the Etna promises to be a car that will deliver thrills for years to come. Whether on the road or on the track, the Etna is a modern-day classic in the making, a true testament to the timeless appeal of Lamborghini’s first-generation V10 supercar.
For fans of the Gallardo, the Etna represents a perfect opportunity to relive the glory days of Lamborghini while enjoying the benefits of modern technology and engineering. If this is the future of restomods, then the automotive world is in for a thrilling ride.
