Fabrizio Giugiaro Revives the Gallardo with Limited‑Edition HOMMAGE 26
The original Gallardo designer returns after nearly three decades to rework the supercar under CAVËN Atelier’s “Respectful Evolution” philosophy.
Design pedigree returns
Nearly 30 years after he first sketched the V10‑powered Gallardo for Italdesign, Fabrizio Giugiaro is back at the helm of a new project dubbed HOMMAGE 26. The effort, presented at the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas, is being executed by CAVËN Atelier and will be limited to 25 cars.
What changes – and what stays the same
Giugiaro’s team kept the Gallardo’s “wedge‑shaped” silhouette and left five elements untouched: the roof, side windows, windshield, side mirrors and mirror bases. Everything else – from a carbon‑fiber body to pop‑down headlights and active aero flaps above the taillights – has been redesigned.
Powertrain and chassis
The reworked engine bay showcases the original naturally aspirated 5.0‑liter V10, now paired with a gated six‑speed manual that revs to 8,500 rpm. Two tunes are offered: a 540 hp GT version and a 560 hp Performance model. The car rides on 20‑inch Italtecnica wheels and features a new two‑mode adjustable suspension.
Pricing and donor requirements
Base price starts at €900,000 before taxes. The price does not include the donor Gallardo, which buyers must supply or have sourced by CAVËN Atelier. Lamborghini built just over 14,000 Gallardos between 2003 and 2013, making the donor pool limited but not impossible.
Design philosophy – “Respectful Evolution”
CAVËN Atelier labels its approach “Design Authorship,” bringing the original living designer back to reinterpret his own work. Giugiaro describes the project as a chance to improve the car “with care, and in a delicate way,” keeping the front end “almost exactly as it was originally” while updating rear styling and interior ideas.
Market context
The HOMMAGE 26 arrives as Lamborghini’s newer models have moved away from manual gearboxes and V10 engines, making the new build a nostalgic nod to the brand’s past. At a price near $1 million, it targets collectors who value the original designer’s involvement as much as the badge.
Future of the Designer Series
This model is the first chapter of CAVËN Atelier’s Designer Series, with additional projects slated for 2027 and beyond. Each will revisit a notable late‑20th‑ or early‑21st‑century car with its original designer, potentially turning the series into a collector’s line defined by authorship rather than brand logos.
