Top 10 Things About The Sensational Lamborghini Diablo You Probably Didn't Know

10. Lamborghini has financial troubles, AGAIN!

Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 SE - Source Lamborghini Press

Lamborghini changed its ownership as quickly as frat seniors changed their girlfriends in the college. Now that we are done with the sideburn, let us give you a summary. Although the Countach model was well-regarded in the automobile world, fans loved it, buyers were happy, and Lamborghini’s name was flying in the sky. However, all of this still did not solve all of the Lamborghini’s financial challenges. Hence in 1987, it met with its new owner Chrysler. Lamborghini then changed hands again but that is a story for another time.

9. Design, Chrysler contribution, Nissan connection, and naming

Marcello Gandini who co-designed the Lamborghini Countach was also responsible for the initial design of the Diablo. However, it was Tom Gal at Chrysler who finished the job. That said, after Lamborghini came under Audi's ownership in 1998 (told ya Lamborghini is not loyal), it was under pressure to release Diablo’s successor.

Lamborghini Diablo (left) & Nissan 300ZX (right)

Hence, to save time and development costs, Lamborghini decided to license the Nissan 300ZX Z32’s headlights. That is why when the Lamborghini Diablo and the Nissan 300ZX which is also called the Nissan Fairlady Z are put side by side, they look alike. Finally, a 19th-century fighting bull owned by the Duke of Veragua inspired the name Diablo. Having said that, the Lamborghini Diablo was only available in 2-door coupe and 2-door convertible/roadster body styles.

8. Additional credits to the Rally Driver

Lamborghini Diablo Side - Source: MIRROAR Youtube

Winner of the 1977 WRC Driver’s Championship in a Lancia Stratos HF and famous rally driver, Sandro Munari was thoroughly involved in the development process of the Lamborghini Diablo. Hence, no wonder that the Dibalo ran like a cheetah on the road.

7. Need For Speed Favorite

Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 SE - Source Lamborghini Press

The Origins Need for Speed (NFS) game featured several automobile wonders including the Corvette ZR-1, Ferrari 512 TR, Porsche 911 (993) Turbo S, Honda NSX, and the Mazda RX-7. However, among all these legendary cars, the Lamborghini Diablo still managed to stand out.

6. Iterations and Variants of the Lamborghini Diablo

The Lamborghini Diablo hit the market in 1990. In 1992, its Roadster Concept was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show. Later in 1993, the Lamborghini Diablo VT (viscous traction) version was launched which came with an all-wheel drive system among many other changes. The same year, in celebration of Lamborghini’s 30th anniversary, the Diablo SE30 model was sold which had a retuned engine and a rear-wheel drive system.

Lamborghini Diablo Roadster VT - Source: Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Finally, the Diablo SV (Super Veloce) made its entry at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show with 510 horsepower. Later the same year, the Diablo VT Roadster model came into the market which had several visual changes compared to the Diablo VT Coupe variant.

In 1998, Diablo GT made its debut. It was based on the limited production SE30 and SE30 Jota models. It had a bolder and more aggressive design language and a bigger engine. 1999 brought some new exterior and interior changes to the Diablo SV. The major ones were the borrowed headlights from Nissan and a refreshed interior. The Diablo VT and VT Roadster models also received mechanical and design updates in 1999.

After spending time with its former Indonesian owners, Lamborghini was now in Audi’s hands. Under the new ownership, Lamborghini was tasked to design a better version of the Diabolo before its successor Murcielago was completed. Hence, the Diablo VT 6.0 and VT 6.0 SE versions were born. Lastly, there were many racing variants of the Lamborghini Diablo. Some notable ones include the Diablo Jota GT1 LM and Diablo SV-R.

5. Powertrain and Performance

The Diablo is famous for being the first Lamborghini to ever cross a top speed of 200 MPH. Hence, it should not come as a surprise that its performance hardware was “built differently”. At first, the Lamborghini Diablo used a 5.7L V12 engine that made 485 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque. With these figures and rear-wheel drive, the Diablo finished the 0-60 MPH target in 4.5 seconds.

Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 V12 Engine - Source Lamborghini Press

Meanwhile, the Diablo SE30 and its Jota Edition were returned to put out 523 horsepower. Later models of the Lamborghini Diablo such as the Diablo GT and the Diablo VT 6.0 were powered by a bigger and enlarged 6.0L V12 engine which could put out up to 575 horsepower. However, this was not the limit of Lamborghini’s V12 engine. Since some versions like the Diablo GTR were able to put out up to 590 horsepower.

4. Lamborghini Diablo revived SV name

Lamborghini-Diablo-SV (Super Veloce)-Source-Calreyn88-CC-BY-SA-4.0-via-Wikimedia-Commons-1

After the Miura SV, the Diablo was the first Lamborghini to receive an SV or Super Veloce tag. That said, the Lamborghini Diablo SV was more powerful than the regular Diablo. It used to put out 510 horsepower. Furthermore, an adjustable rear spoiler, black tail lamp surrounds, an extra set of front brake cooling ducts, optional "SV" decals, and a few other additional were given to the Lamborghini Diablo SV.

3. Better mechanical equipment and technology than the Countach BUT…

The 1987 Countach Evoluzione was tested for the technologies and other upgrades that would eventually go inside the Lamborghini Diablo. Hence, it is due to its predecessor’s courage to withstand the torture of development that made Diablo a revolutionary car. However, it was not until 1993 that the Lamborghini Diablo received the power steering system. Furthermore, until 1999, there was no ABS inside the Lamborghini Diablo as well.

Lamborghini Diablo Cabin - Source Lamborghini Press

Late but never, the Diablo did manage to adopt the technology and mechanical upgrades. Regardless of late puberty, the Lamborghini Diablo was still better equipped than the Lamborghini Countach. It had a standard Alpine stereo system, electric windows, and fully adjustable seats. It also came with optional features such as a remote CD changer.

2. (1990–2001) Lamborghini Diablo Auction Value, Price Tag, and Rarity

Yes, (1990–2001) Lamborghini Diablo is rare. After all, it was not your Honda Civic that was available to every high school graduate on his 19th birthday. Lamborghini produced only 2,884 units of Diablo during its production run from 1990 to 2001. Its special visions like the Diablo SE30 and Diablo SE30 Jota are even rarer.

Only 150 units of the former and 15 units of the later model were produced. Meanwhile, there were only 20 examples of the Diablo SV Monterey Edition which were reserved for the US market in 1998.

Having said that, the Lamborghini Diablo has an average value of $265,498. However, in auctions, some variants of the Lamborghini Diablo have been sold for as high as $972,621. At the time of writing this article, RM Sotheby's has a 2000 Lamborghini Diablo GTR (19 out of 30 made) on sale with an auction estimate of $580,000 - $780,000.

1. Diablo’s success and successor

Lamborghini Murciélago - Source: Lamborghini Press

The Diablo was an obvious success. Its successor, the Lamborghini Murciélago which debuted in 2002 was even more popular. However, unlike the Diablo, the Murciélago was given a default all-wheel drive system making it more stable on the road. Furthermore, the Murciélago had record-breaking sales as the total count easily crossed 4,000.