Lamborghini Diablo
The Lamborghini Diablo was a high-performance mid-engined sports car built by Italian automaker Lamborghini between 1990 and 2001, before it was replaced by the Lamborghini Murcielago. The historic Italian marque keeps producing a car as cars were meant to be until some years ago. The Diablo is an object of desire, a car that speaks to its owner's heart more than any other car on production today (remember that Ferrari F50 and McLaren F1 are not produced anymore). You can't really understand the size of a Diablo until you actually see one on the road and you surely can't understand the feel of a Lamborghini Diablo until you actually drive it. It makes more noise than you can imagine, yet, the sound of its V-12 can instantly stir you up, it is more impractical than anything else you have seen in your life, yet still it is irresistible. The Lamborghini Diablo was the successor to the Countach.
Mechanics
The Diablo was equipped with a 5.7L V12 producing 492 horsepower and 428 lb-ft torque that seemed wretchedly excessive at the time, although somewhat tame by today's supercar standards. The Diablo was originally rear-wheel drive and the engine was mid-mounted to aid its weight balance.
Hitting the Tarmac
The Lamborghini Diablo vehicle could reach 60 mph in slightly more than 4 seconds, with a top speed of 202 mph.
Interior
Even at over $240,000, the vehicle was somewhat archaic in terms of its interior and featured only basic radio functions (with optional CD playback) along with manual windows, adjustable but unpowered seats and no anti-lock brakes, mostly to minimize the vehicle's already high curb weight. A few options were available, including having the driver's seat molded specifically for the buyer, a rear spoiler, a factory fitted luggage set (priced at $2,600) and an exclusive Breguet clock for the dash (priced at $10,500).
Additional Versions: ( Diablo VT (Ver. 1), Diablo VT Roadster and Diablo VT Roadster R)
After three years of making minor adjustments to the Diablo, Lamborghini decided in 1993 that a second, even more specialized version of the car could add new customers to the brand. Starting with the basic Diablo platform, Lamborghini engineers added a viscous-coupling type all-wheel-drive system, an improved power steering system, resized front wheels and tires chosen to work better with the all-wheel-drive system, four-piston Brembo brake calipers, an updated dashboard design and a new computerized suspension system featuring aggressively tuned Koni shock absorbers.
Diablo SE30 and Diablo SE30 Jota
A lightened, hard-edged racing variant of the standard Diablo, the SE30 was sold in limited numbers during 1994 to celebrate Lamborghini's 30th anniversary. The 'SE' stands for Special Edition. In total just 150 cars were made, eight of which were right hand drive (RHD). In 1995 Lamborghini introduced the SE30 Jota; the Jota was produced from the Lamborghini factory but SE30 owners also had the option of having Lamborghini upgrade their SE30 to Jota specifications.
Diablo SV
The SV or "Sport Veloce" variant of the Diablo was an optional add-on package to the base car. It lacked the VT's all-wheel-drive system and electronic suspension, but it featured the VT's revised dashboard and larger brakes, a new 3-piece adjustable spoiler and was powered by a modified version of the 5.7-litre V12 producing 510 horsepower.
Diablo SVR
Unveiled in 1996, the SVR variant is a lightweight competition version of the SV, built for its pro-am one make series known as Diablo Supertrophy, which was intended to run for three years, with its inaugural round held as the support race to the 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans. It boats 540 horsepower. There are numerous noticeable cosmetic differences, the covered lights are sometimes used in place of its usual retractable headlights. Other cosmetic differences included: a deeper front spoiler, side skirts and a redesigned rear valance.
Diablo GT
The limited Diablo GT boasted a modified version of the V12 engine, bored out to 6.0 liters and produced 575 horsepower, while enlarged brakes, an improved and lower-riding suspension changes. More aggressive bodywork with flared fenders and wider wheels were introduced. Only 80 units were produced in total and the vehicle was only officially sold in Europe.
Diablo GTR
This Diablo GTR is a modified version of the 6-liter GT version of the Diablo launched in 1999. In comparison with the Diablo GT, GTR most important features are: a modified chassis frame with integrated roll bar, improved suspensions, central fixing nut for the rims, race braking system, additional radiators for transmission oil cooling, very high performance rear wing (directly bolted to the chassis), simplified interiors and weight reduction. The engine is basically the same V12, 6-liter, of the Diablo GT, which thanks to the adoption of a specially tuned exhaust system, without catalyser, delivers 590 horsepower.