Lamborghini, the Italian sportscar maker, announced a lighter, more environmentally friendly version of the Gallardo in Geneva yesterday.

The sleek LP560-4 weighs 20kg (44 pounds) less than the previous Gallardo, and the new engine goes from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, three-tenths of a second faster than the previous incarnation.

Significantly the new Gallardo’s carbon emissions have been cut 18 per cent and gas mileage increased. The move indicates that demand for environmentally-friendly vehicles is penetrating the supercar market.

Stephan Winkelmann, Ceo of Lamboghini said: "Being a supersports car is all about accelerating and top speed. If you want to go fast you consume, and if you consume, you have emissions, you will never come to the average emissions of average car."

Jeremy Clarkson reviews the Lamborghini Gallardo

It changes direction like a fly, grips like a barnacle and goes like a jet fighter on combat power. At one point I saw 175mph on the clock and there was plenty more to come

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Lamborghini, still based in its original hometown of Sant'Agata Bolognese, but now owned by the Volkswagen group, aims to cut the carbon emissions of its cars by 40 per cent.

Lamborghini has sold 7,100 Gallardos since the car’s debut, and last year the prestige marquee sold 2,400 cars worldwide, up 100 from 2006. Winkelmann said the company anticipates a that figure will increase by 100 again in 2008.

The new car is the first update of the Gallardo since 2003 and will cost €146,000 (£112,000) before tax.