Lamborghini Diablo
The Lamborghini Diablo is an icon of the 1990s just as the Countach had been a pin up during the 1980s and it went through a number of refinements until production ceased in 2001. Less than 3000 examples of the Diablo were ever produced, making it a much sought-after supercar with an impeccable pedigree and performance levels that still stack up against the sports cars of today.
The development of the Diablo took five years and the project specifications called for a supercar that could have a top speed of 190mph+. The Diablo eventually arrived with a V12 engine in January of 1990, with a top speed of 202 mph achieved from its 492hp and a 0-62 time of less than four seconds. The austere interior features of the Countach were a thing of the past with the Diablo`s launch, as it had luxuries such as electric windows, a hi-fi system provided by Alpine and even adjustable seats and steering column to accommodate drivers of different proportions. In 1991 the Diablo took the prestigious title of fastest production car in the world, ousting the Ferrari F40 by a single mile per hour. It held onto this honour for just a few months until Bugatti took it away with the 213mph EB110.
The Lamborghini Diablo has been through various updates and alterations as new models were launched throughout the 1990s. In 1993 the Diablo VT arrived, bringing with its all wheel drive and the commemorative Diablo SE30 saw in the firm`s 30th anniversary by upping the power output to 526hp while lowering the weight with extras including air con and power steering stripped out. In 1995 the VT Roadster was introduced, integrating an electric roof made from carbon fibre and the more powerful Diablo SV arrived with a number of tweaks and adjustments.
The final two years of the Diablo`s life saw a rebirth for the series arrive when the second generation of this venerable supercar was launched. The Diablo SV, which made its debut in 1999, heralded the death of the frogeye lights, with fixed headlamps licensed from the Nissan 300ZX Z32 used instead. The wheel size was upped from 17 to 18 inches across the range, allowing for ABS and bigger brakes to benefit the safety of the Diablo and inside the angular design of its forebears was replaced with a curvier alternative.
When German manufacturer Audi acquired Lamborghini in the late `90s it set about civilising the raging bull and at the turn of the millennium it launched a version with a 6 litre engine, replacing the previous 5.7 litre V12 which had been a staple of the series since its inception. This delivered 550hp, making it the most powerful engine of any Diablo so far, but improvements to the position of the pedals and many alterations to the exterior definitely outlined the direction that the firm would take under its new ownership.
Most Lamborghini Diablos need a good deal of attention if they are to be kept in mint condition. They still compare favourably to the high performance from Lamborghini today, but preservation of this icon will be a labour of love.
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