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1997 Lamborghini Diablo - Added by on 31-Jul-2020

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Lamborghini Diablo - ID: 921
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More Information on the Lamborghini Diablo

The Lamborghini Diablo is a high-performance mid-engine sports car that was built by Italian automotive manufacturer Lamborghini between 1990 and 2001. It is the first production Lamborghini capable of attaining a top speed in excess of 320 kilometres per hour (200 mph). After the end of its production run in 2001, the Diablo was replaced by the Lamborghini Murciélago. The name Diablo means "devil" in Spanish.

History of development

At a time when the company was financed by the Swiss-based brothers Jean Claude and Patrick Mimran, Lamborghini began development of what was codenamed Project 132 in June 1985 as a replacement for the Countach, Lamborghini's then flagship sports car. The brief stated that the top speed of the new car had to be at least 315 km/h (196 mph).

The design of the car was contracted to Marcello Gandini, who had designed its two predecessors. When Chrysler Corporation bought the company in 1987, funding the company to complete the car's development, its management was uncomfortable with Gandini's designs and commissioned its design team in Detroit to execute a third extensive redesign, smoothing out the infamous sharp edges and corners of Gandini's original design, and leaving him famously unimpressed. In fact, Gandini was so disappointed with the "softened" shape that he would later realise his original design in the Cizeta-Moroder V16T.





The Diablo was presented to the public for sale on 21 January 1990. Its power came from a 5.7 L (348 cu in) dual overhead cam, 4 valves per cylinder version of the existing V12 engine and computer-controlled multi-point fuel injection, producing a maximum output of 492 PS (362 kW; 485 hp) and 580 N·m (428 lbf·ft) of torque. The vehicle could reach 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in about 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph). The Diablo was rear-wheel drive and the engine was mid-mounted to aid its weight balance.


Diablo Roadster Concept

Introduced at the 1992 Geneva Motor Show, the Diablo roadster concept showcased what a possible open top version of the car would look like. The roof was removed and the car had a shortened visor in place of the windshield which made its way to the doors indicating the adaptation of the barchetta body style. The chassis was strengthened in order to compensate for the loss of the roof and the car featured many unique components some of which made their way to the later variants of the Diablo. Such components included larger air intakes near the rear wing and the sides of the car for better engine cooling, a visor mounted rear view mirror, roll bars over the seats, unique wheels in body colour of the car and a unique engine cover which included a tunnel in the middle for better airflow over the rear view mirror. The signature scissor doors were retained despite for the loss of the roof and the interior became more ergonomic and featured a unique two-tone beige colour. The concept generated a positive response among the public and demand among customers for such a car. As the car was not intended for production, German tuner Koenig Competition upon Lamborghini's permission converted customer cars into replicas of the concept. The cars featured different front and rear bumpers along with wheels than that of the concept due to copyright issues along with an upgraded engine. The conversion was no longer offered upon the request of Lamborghini as the company introduced the Diablo VT roadster in 1995.

Diablo VT



Diablo SE30 and SE30 Jota

The Diablo SE30 was introduced in 1993 as a limited-production special model to commemorate the company's 30th anniversary. The car was designed largely as a street-legal race vehicle that was lighter and more powerful than the standard Diablo. The engine received a boost to 530 PS (390 kW; 523 hp) by means of a tuned fuel system, free-flowing exhaust, and magnesium intake manifolds. The car remained rear-wheel drive to save weight, and omitted the electrically adjustable shock absorbers of the VT model, but was equipped with adjustable-stiffness anti-roll bars which could be controlled from the interior, on the fly.

The car's weight was lowered by replacing the power glass side windows with fixed plexiglas (with a small sliding vent window as on many race cars) and removing luxury features such as the air conditioning, stereo, and power steering. Carbon fibre seats with 4-point race harnesses and a fire suppression system added to the race nature of the vehicle.



Diablo SV

The Diablo SV was introduced in 1995 at the Geneva Motor Show, reviving the Super Veloce title first used on the Miura SV. The SV is based on the standard Diablo and thus lacks the four-wheel drive system of the VT. A notable feature of the SV is an increase in power output to 517 PS (380 kW; 510 hp) at 7,100 rpm and 580 N·m (428 lbf·ft) of torque at 5,900 rpm of which, paired with the two-wheel drive layout, can increase the likelihood of loss of traction during hard driving. Despite its higher power output, the SV was priced as the entry-level model in the Diablo range, falling below the standard Diablo by a small margin. An adjustable rear spoiler was installed as standard equipment and could be color-matched to the car body or formed from carbon fibre. Other exterior changes included black tail lamp surrounds, repositioned rear fog and reverse lamps as on the SE30, dual front fog lamps (rather than the quad style found on all previous models), an extra set of front brake cooling ducts, an engine lid similar to that installed on the Diablo SE30 Jota, and optional "SV" decals for the sides of the car. The SV also featured larger diameter front brakes (340 mm (13.4 in)) and a corresponding increase in front wheel size to 18 inches.

In 1998, a limited 20-car run of the Diablo SV was produced exclusively for the United States market and called the Monterey Edition. The most notable feature of this edition was the use of the SE30/VT Roadster style of air intakes in front of the rear wheels, unlike the traditional (and persisting) SV style. Several of the cars were painted in unusual, vibrant colours. One Monterey Edition, featuring an upgraded engine and brakes, was driven by Mario Andretti during the Lamborghini-sponsored "Running of the Bulls" event in California.

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit uses the Lamborghini Diablo SV as the flagship car of the game. The car became emblematic of the Need for Speed franchise, making several appearances throughout later entries in the series.

Diablo VT Roadster


The engine lid was changed substantially in order to vent properly when the roof panel was covering it. The roadster also featured revised 17 inch wheels. The air intakes on top/sides were made larger than the Diablo coupé. In 1998, the wheels were updated to 18 inches, and the engine power raised to 530 hp (395 kW; 537 PS) by adding the variable valve timing system. Top speed was also raised to 335 km/h (208 mph).


Facelift (1998–2001)

Diablo SV (1999)

The Diablo received a mid-cycle facelift in 1999. Lamborghini simplified the model range by eliminating the "base" Diablo (since the SV model had become the new entry-level trim) and applied universal revisions across the lineup. The most immediately noticeable exterior change was the replacement of the previous Diablo's pop-up headlamp units with fixed composite lenses, borrowed under license from their original application in the Nissan 300ZX (Z32). All models were also fitted with new 18 inch wheels.

The Diablo range also received an updated interior. Instead of the traditional flat dashboard with a separate upright instrument binnacle, as in many Italian sports cars of the era (and the outgoing Diablo), the new dashboard was an integrated wave-shaped design. A thin strip of black glass ran the length of the dash and contained various instrument indicator and warning lamps. This aesthetic design was inspired by Bang & Olufsen Hi-Fi products.

The power output of the engine was increased to 536 PS (394 kW; 529 hp) and 605 N·m (446 lb·ft) of torque for both the SV and VT models and now featured variable valve timing. For the first time in a Lamborghini, the Diablo was equipped with a Kelsey-Hayes ABS system, complementing larger diameter brake rotors.

Diablo VT and VT Roadster (1999)


A special run of twelve Diablo VT models was produced exclusively for the United States market in 1999 and called the Alpine Edition. As the Diablo had been utilising Alpine stereo equipment since its inception, this very limited production was intended to showcase and celebrate the Lamborghini/Alpine collaboration. The Alpine Edition was a standard Diablo VT with no engine modifications but having carbon fibre trim in various locations, but the big news was the multimedia system. The stereo receiver was the top-end CVA-1005 model, with integrated navigation system; also included in the package was a DVD player, 6-disc CD changer, and Alpine's top quality tweeters, midrange drivers, and subwoofers, powered by "Lamborghini" badged Alpine amplifiers. Alpine logos adorned the seat headrests, floor mats, and the special car cover included with this rare model.

Another special twelve-car run of VT models for the US market consisted of VT Roadsters and was called the Momo Edition. Like the Alpine Edition, the Momo Edition catered to the US car buyer's interest in aftermarket products. Lamborghini, rather than spending money to develop certain automotive components, had been using aftermarket suppliers such as Alpine and MOMO to outfit the Diablo. The Momo Edition was again a standard VT Roadster, but featured special upholstery, MOMO 4-point seatbelt harnesses, and MOMO chrome wheels. Like the Alpine Edition, the Momo Edition also had MOMO logos embroidered in the seat headrests and floor mats.


Diablo GT

Lamborghini introduced the Diablo GT in 1998 based on the formula of the SE30 and the SE30 Jota of which only 80 examples were produced for sale. The Diablo GT was a track oriented iteration of the Diablo and featured many unique components exclusive to the model. The GT fitted with radically altered aggressive bodywork, a stripped-down interior, and an enlarged engine. The GT variant was exclusive to Europe only but some were imported into the US.

Exterior changes included an all new black carbon fibre front air dam with large brake ducts and a central vent for the oil cooler (the car still featured driving lamps, the single pair of round units featured on the Diablo VT Roadster). In the front luggage compartment lid, a large air extractor was added, while the small corner vents on the front fenders were changed to NACA style ducts. The fenders themselves were widened to accommodate a wider front track. In the rear, the bumper and its lamps were removed entirely, replaced by a carbon fibre diffuser which integrated the fog and backup lamps into the outer pair of the tail lamps, and shielded a pair of large center-mounted exhaust pipes. The engine lid featured a large central ram air duct protruding above the roof; a rear spoiler was standard equipment. This radical new body was composed mostly of carbon fibre, with the steel roof and aluminum doors being the only components to retain their standard material. Special 3-piece OZ wheels finished the GT's exterior package.

Interior wise, the GT had more prominent carbon fibre panels, race-spec bucket seats with 4-point seatbelt harnesses, a smaller steering wheel, and an optional Alpine LCD screen for GPS navigation along with a bumper mounted backup camera. Despite the racing pretenses of the model, air conditioning was still installed as standard equipment; airbags could be optionally omitted.

While the basic V12 block remained the same, the engine was stroked from 80 mm (3.1 in) to 84 mm (3.3 in) for a new displacement of 6.0 L (366 cu in); this engine, which would later be used in the revised Diablo VT 6.0, had a power output of 583 PS (429 kW; 575 hp) and 630 N·m (465 lb·ft) of torque. The transmission was the same 5-speed unit as used in other Diablo variants, but different gear ratios could be specified by the buyer. The car omitted the all-wheel-drive system to save weight.

Diablo VT 6.0 and VT 6.0 SE

In 1994, Chrysler left F1 and sold Lamborghini to a group of Indonesians. By 1998, Audi AG took over Lamborghini from its former Southeast Asian owners, MyCom and V'Power and set out to modernise and refine the Diablo, while its replacement, the Murciélago, was being developed. Audi tasked then Lamborghini chief designer Luc Donckerwolke to design a more refined and a modern Diablo. The VT 6.0 as a result, featured significant styling changes both inside and out.

On the exterior, the VT 6.0 differed from its predecessors with a revised front fascia that featured two large air intakes (similar to those later used on the Murciélago). The air dam, nose panel, and fenders were all reworked and smoothened, the indicators were enlarged and shifted in position, and the small air inlets in the tops of the fenders were omitted. The rear of the car remained familiar, but the taillight surrounds were now body-colored (rather than transparent red or black) and the lamps themselves used the configuration seen on the track oriented GT variant. Aluminum 18 inch OZ wheels which were styled with a 5-hole "phone dial" design similar to that seen on the later models of the Countach were used. The interior was refined by improved air-conditioning and revised seat and pedal alignment.

The engine was shared with the limited production GT variant and had updated ECU software in addition to new intake and exhaust systems and a refined variable valve timing system with revised camshafts. The engine had a power output of 557 PS (410 kW; 549 hp) and 620 N·m (457 lb·ft) of torque.

Due to the development of the Murciélago, the Diablo VT 6.0 was only available in coupé bodystyle with no more roadster or SV models planned; however, customers could specially order a rear-wheel drive version of the VT 6.0.

At the end of the Diablo's production run, the company introduced the limited production Diablo VT 6.0 SE. This model was only available in two colours; the gold metallic "Oro Elios" represented sunrise, while the color-shifting bronze/maroon "Marrone Eklipsis" represented the sunset. Other changes include a new magnesium intake manifold, short-gear transmission, special upholstery treatment, "Lamborghini" badged brake calipers, comprehensive road map software in the navigation system, and enhanced carbon fibre trim on the interior. The power output remained the same as on the Diablo VT 6.0. Production was limited to 42 units.


Factory racing specials

Diablo Jota

In 1995, to enter in the JGTC racing in Japan, Japan Lamborghini Owners Club (JLOC) ordered Lamborghini to develop two competition cars with one road-going car in order to homologate the cars for racing. The cars were developed with technical support of Lamborghini Engineering and were allowed to be named Jota. All three cars exist in Japan.

The first car, the Jota PO.01, actually competed in JGTC series racing in 1995 and 1996 seasons. It has a dry-sump 5,707 cc (5.7 L) engine with Multi Mode Engine Control (MMEC) technology which had been developed through Formula One challenge in the 1991 season. The second car, the Jota PO.02, was also developed in 1995 with specifications for endurance race, and competed in Suzuka 1000km race. Although it was planned to enter 24 Hours of Le Mans, but due to unknown reasons, it did not compete. The third car, the Jota PO.03, has specifications for road use with dry-sump engine with MMMC.

Diablo GT1 Stradale

Following the foot-steps of Porsche in 1996 with the GT1, a purpose built racing car that created a stir in motorsports, Lamborghini contracted Signes Advanced Technologies (SAT), a company based in Toulon, France specialising in manufacturing prototype race cars, to develop a racing version of the Diablo to enter in the GT1 class racing. The company would build an entirely new chassis made of tubular steel and a carbon fibre body bearing resemblance to the road going Diablo with Lamborghini supplying the engine and getting the project through homologation. The 5.7 L V12 engine used in the standard Diablo variants was stroked to a displacement of 6.0 L utilising a reprogrammed engine management system. The new engine had a maximum power output of 664 PS (488 kW; 655 hp) at 7,550 rpm and 687 N·m (507 lb·ft) of torque at 5,500 rpm and transferred the power to the rear wheels through a 6-speed Hewland sequential manual transmission. The finished car weighed a total of 1,050 kg (2,315 lb) making it the lightest Diablo variant ever produced. The body work featured heavy modifications and little was shared with the road car. A very deep chin spoiler and fixed front lamps along with an adjustable rear wing was one of the main changes. The front and rear section of the car were entirely removable to allow easy access to the mechanicals of the car, the wheelbase and length of the car was increased than a standard Diablo for enhanced performance. Larger air intakes on the rear, NACA ducts near the doors and air intakes from the Diablo SV improved engine cooling. The car utilised scissor doors and tail lights from a regular Diablo further increasing its resemblance with the road going model. Other features included purpose built race interior, plexiglass windows, 18-inch centre-lock OZ racing wheels and an integrated roll-cage. The car was presented in 1997 to the factory in the presence of FIA representatives who approved and homologated the car for racing. But financial difficulties surrounding Lamborghini at that time forced the company to not go further with the project. Only 2 cars were built, one was meant for racing and one was the road legal version which dropped the rear wing. The racing version was bought by the JLOC racing team from Japan who used it in the JGTC series racing until the series was abandoned and the road version remained in the ownership of SAT until it was sold to Mistral Motors in Italy.

Diablo SV-R





Diablo GT2

Following the success of the Diablo SV-R, Lamborghini decided to enter the Diablo in GT2 class racing. Primarily because of a failed attempt in 1996 to enter the famed GT1 class with the Diablo GT1 Stradale. A new car was developed based on the Diablo SV which later became the basis for the infamous Diablo GT and the Diablo GTR, the car was called the Diablo GT2 and it featured a detuned variant of the 6.0 L V12 engine used in the Diablo GT1 Stradale. The engine had a power output of 600 hp (608 PS; 447 kW). The interior was stripped of all luxuries and featured a racing steering wheel with an integrated digital speedometer, fire extinguisher system, racing cut off switch, removable engine cover with quick release system, plexiglass windows with sliding sections, integrated roll-cage, fast filling fuel cell system instead of the conventional fuel tank, centre-lock wheels and a large CFRP fixed rear wing. Many features of the car were carried out to the Diablo GT along with later Lamborghini models such as the huge air intake at the front, removable engine covers, central dual exhaust system and the engine itself, which was detuned for road usage. The project was scrapped when Audi took over the company. The car was given an update sometime in 2002 and was known as the Diablo GT2 Evoluzione which included different front and rear bumpers, rear wing from the Diablo GTR and a modified air intake system for the engine, but the car never went racing.

Diablo GTR

After campaigning the Diablo SV-R for four years in the Diablo Supertrophy, Lamborghini launched a completely new car for the 2000 season. Just as the SV-R was a race-ready SV, the Diablo GTR, introduced at the 1999 Bologna Motor Show, converted the Diablo GT to a track oriented car with power improvements, a stripped interior, and weight reduction.



The GTR utilized the same basic 6.0-litre V12 engine that had made its debut on the street-legal GT, but with revised fuel and ignition systems, individual throttle bodies, a dynamic air intake duct system, variable valve timing, titanium connecting rods, and a lightened crankshaft. These improvements allowed the engine to have a power output of 598 PS (440 kW; 590 hp) and 640 N·m (472 lb·ft) of torque. The engine was bolted to the usual 5-speed transmission in a rear-wheel drive layout. Extra heat exchangers were added for the differential and transmission oil to prevent overheating under extreme racing conditions. A fast-filling racing fuel cell replaced the standard gasoline tank. The suspension was stiffened and lowered, and racing brake calipers were installed.

Thirty cars were initially planned to be produced but actual production amounted to 40 units, and 40 chassis were prepared to replace cars wrecked in racing accidents.


Concept cars


In 1995, the ownership of Lamborghini was restructured. Indonesian company V'Power Corporation held 60 percent of the shareholding while the remaining 40 percent stake was controlled by a Malaysian company MyCom Bhd. The restructured ownership hired Vittorio Di Capua, an infamous automobile industry veteran, who had worked at Fiat S.p.A for 40 years as the new President and CEO of the company, thus replacing Mike Kimberley who had disagreements with the shareholders. Di Capua, after taking the position, initiated a cost-cutting program that led to the departure of many executives and consultants. Under his guidance, the development of the aging Diablo's successor began under the code name P147 (later changed to L147). Di Capua made a decision to use the Diablo's chassis and running gear for the working prototypes in order to save development costs. This development program led to the development of two prototypes, named the Canto and the Acosta.

Lamborghini Acosta (1996)

Following his involvement in the development of famous Lamborghini models namely the Miura and the Countach, Marcello Gandini, who had now been operating his own design consultancy firm, was entrusted with the design of the Diablo's successor. The car called the Acosta was heavily based on the Diablo following the new management's policy and was Gandini's interpretation for a modern-day Lamborghini. The Acosta had a fairly angled design language when compared to the Canto (shown below). The large rear cooling intakes were more smoothened and were inline with the design language but were followed by equally large outlets at the rear of the car. The front of the car had two thin headlamps joined by a scaffolding which created a bulge on the hood, the bulge were also present on the engine cover to create more room for the engine harking back to the Countach, reducing rear visibility. The wing mirrors were two large units incorporating large openings for better airflow. There was also a small spoiler present on the small window at the rear of the car.

This design was considered too aggressive for a modern Lamborghini and that it was loosely based around the Diablo's design. It was ultimately rejected. The only car completed based on Gandini's design was left without any running gear and is now stored in the Lamborghini Museum.

Lamborghini Kanto (1997)

After the rejection of Gandini's design, many design propositions were made for the Diablo's successor. Finally the design penned by Norihiko Harada, chief designer of Italian styling house Zagato was chosen.

The first running prototypes having Harada's design began testing in 1997. In the early stages of the car's development, the Kanto had utilised the engine taken from a Diablo SV before moving on to a more powerful and modified power plant. During testing at the Nardò test track in Italy, the Kanto had attained a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph), although, this was never officially confirmed.

When Lamborghini was sold to Audi in June 1998, the development work on the successor of the Diablo was overseen by Volkswagen Group president Ferdinand Piëch. He immediately rejected the design because he had been unimpressed by the design language, which was not as aggressive as previous Lamborghini models. He also reprimanded the big side air intakes present on rear of the car which disproportioned the overall look.

Keeping the suggestions in consideration, the car was heavily redesigned in 1999 and special attention was given to shorten the air intakes. The car was to be unveiled to the public at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show with plans of putting it into production but the car did not receive Piëch's approval, primarily due to his continuing dissatisfaction with the design along with the use of the Diablo's running gear and the project was shelved.

The Kanto had later utilised a modified version of the 6.0-litre V12 engine used in Diablo SV-R which generated a maximum power output of 640 PS (471 kW; 631 hp) during Dyno testing. The engine was detuned to 610 PS (449 kW; 602 hp) for longevity and easy maintenance.

A claimed total of five cars are said to have been produced with one car (finished in black exterior colour) being sold to a Japanese collector. The Kanto concept having the Diablo SV-R powerplant now resides in the Lamborghini Museum.

Following the failure of the two concepts. Piëch initiated development work of the successor of the Diablo from scratch. The design work was entrusted to the then Lamborghini chief designer Luc Donckerwolke and thus the Murciélago was developed.



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