Featured in many ’00s rap music videos and was even seen in the latest Fast X movie as a chrome-plated eye-catcher, the Lamborghini Gallardo celebrates 20 years of being an iconic model.

The Gallardo was originally referred to as a “baby Lambo” at the 73rd Geneva International Motor Show, where it was presented as a production ready model. It was the Italian manufacturer’s attempt to solve the supercar conundrum by creating a model that was less expensive than the Murcielago but just as attractive.

Lamborghini had previously recognised demand for a “smaller” Lamborghini and, more importantly, one with reduced starting prices and operating expenses. Lamborghini began work on the L140 project in 1987 with the explicit goal of building a smaller Lamborghini. Over the years, a number of prototypes were created and many technological options were looked into, including a V8 engine initially and a V10 engine afterwards.