Lamborghini is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of one of its iconic models, the Diablo, which succeeded the Countach in 1990. From January 1990 till 2001, Lamborghini produced about 2,900 units before it was succeeded by another icon, the Murciélago. Here’s a brief look at its diabolical past.
The Diablo story began in 1985 with an internal codename called ‘Project 132’. The initial design by Marcello Gandini was tweaked by Chrysler’s design center (Tom Gale). Chrysler eventually became the majority shareholder of Automobili Lamborghini. The Diablo was officially the fastest production car in the world at that time, capable of a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).
The original Diablo had a 5.7-litre naturally aspirated V12 that produced 362 kW (492 metric hp) and 580 Nm (428 lb-ft) of torque, all sent to the rear wheels only. Features included leather interior, air conditioning, electric windows and even electrically adjustable seats. Lamborghini produced 873 units between 1990-1998.
Obviously, not everyone wanted RWD Diablo, which is why the Diablo VT arrived in 1993 with AWD. It had some mechanical improvements which eventually made it to the RWD model as well. Lamborghini produced 529 units until 1998.
Between 1993-1994, Lamborghini produced 157 units of Diablo SE (SE30 series), to commemorate the company’s 30th anniversary. It had an output of 390 kW (530 metric hp) — a significant increase over the aforementioned ones.
The Diablo SE was followed by the Diablo SV, which debuted at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show. The RWD model boasted an adjustable rear wing and an output of 380 kW (517 metric hp). Lamborghini produced 346 units until 1999.
In December of the same year, the Diablo VT Roadster came to the market as Lamborghini’s first open-top series-production V12 car; it was offered only as an AWD model. About 468 units were produced between 1995-1998.
The Diablo Jota also arrived in 1995, to make an entry into the JGTC racing in Japan. It was reportedly commissioned by Japan Lamborghini Owners Club (JLOC). Two competition cars were built with one road-going version in order to homologate the cars for racing.
The Diablo SV-R arrived in 1996 as a lightweight, competition version of the SV. The 5.7L V12’s power was boosted to 397 kW (540 metric hp). Only 34 units were produced.
The Diablo SV-R was followed by the Diablo GT and Diablo GTR in 1999; the latter (featured here in the pictures) is a stripped-down, track-oriented version with all the creature comforts removed in order to save weight.
Both the GT and the GTR had a 6.0L V12 powerplant, which in the street-legal version offered 429 kW (583 metric hp) and in the track version, offered 447 kW (608 metric hp). Lamborghini produced 83 units of the road version and 32 units of the track version for a year.
Following the acquisition by Audi the same year, in 1999, Lamborghini got Luc Donckerwolke as its first in-house designer. The VT and VT Roadster arrived again as a second-generation model with styling changes. From a mechanical point of view, the 5.7L V12 engine, now with 395 kW (537 hp) and 605 Nm (446 lb-ft) of torque, was equipped with the variable valve lift system and, for the first time on a Lamborghini, the brakes were complemented by ABS.
After the RWD GT models, a 6.0L V12 AWD version arrived in 2000, offering 410 kW (557 metric hp) and 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque. Lamborghini produced 337 units for a year (2000-2001).
The Diablo 6.0 SE arrived in 2001 as a final, goodbye variant. The output figures remained the same as the Diablo 6.0. However, Lamborghini produced only 44 units.
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