ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin - Some cars are ordinary, some are extraordinary. A tiny handful qualify as rare and memorable experiences. For anyone who has little or no personal history with the Italian brand, Lamborghini's Gallardo Spyder falls squarely into the latter category. A stint behind the wheel singes itself into one's memory, lingering long after your return to more sedate motoring machines.

Gallardo is actually the smaller and less-expensive of Lamborghini's two current models, priced markedly below the longer-lived Murcielago. It's also a little less flamboyant - but that doesn't mean the Gallardo tucks itself well into the sports-car pack. No, this is one noticeable exotic sports car, which blends thrilling elements of Italian design and German engineering.

Why German? Because Audi owns the Lamborghini company these days, and the Gallardo's 5.0-liter V-10 engine hails from an Audi design. Developing a mighty 512 peak horsepower at a screeching 8000-rpm speed, the V-10 can drive an optional e-gear transmission that functions like a manual gearbox but lacks a clutch pedal. Paddle shifters select the gear changes.

Gallardo began with a closed coupe, launched in 2003. Following a North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show last fall, the Spyder convertible emerged as a 2007 model.

Driving the Gallardo on ordinary roads is far less forbidding than some might expect, especially if it's equipped with Lamborghini's e-shift transmission. Paddle shifters control the gearbox, which operates like a regular manual transmission but has no clutch pedal.

A neat, crisp "blip" of engine revs occurs with each gear change, and the gears slip into place without fuss for the next step in the Gallardo's acceleration to speed. The rich exhaust snarl is exhilarating, but it's subdued at all but higher engine speeds. Many cars claim that their acceleration will shove you back in the seat, but that's exactly what happens in a Gallardo.

No less surprising, the ride isn't particularly punishing. Steering control, as expected, ranks as utterly unflappable. No matter what you ask it to do, the Gallardo is ready and eager. Visibility has been a serious problem with Lamborghinis of the past, but the Gallardo is better - especially with the convertible top down, of course.

If you really want to be noticed, some of those old Lamborghinis - notably the Countach - might be the better choice. But the Gallardo isn't far behind in drawing power, and it's fully modern beneath the shapely skin.

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