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To
see a larger photograph of each image please click on the image.
The
Diablo was
presented to the public on January 21st 1990, at the Hotel de Paris
in Monte Carlo. The design was the result of 5 years of
work between Lamborghini and Chrysler Corporation who owned
Lamborghini at that time. The influence of a big company like
Chrysler on the design was significant. The made available to
Lamborghini win tunnel testing, computer design and simulation etc.
The frame of the car went from cylindrical tubing to square frame
tubes. The engine (5.7L), was a dramatic improvement over that of
the older Countach design. Compression was raised to 10:1. Cylinders
were coated with ware resistant Nikasil and a revolutionary new
computer controlled fuel and ignition system was introduced.
Even early models could deliver over 480HP. The total number
of Lamborghini Diablo's built over the years is probably 1000-1200
cars.
In 1993, after 3 years of the Diablo
production, Lamborghini upgraded the Diablo to the
Diablo VT. The VT stood for 'Viscous
Traction'. VT is a mechanical linkage system constructed such that
part of the engine power could be moved to the front wheels, should the rear
wheels lost their grip -- a kind of four wheel drive system. Also an
electronically adjustable Koni shock absorber system, with four settings chosen
either manually or by the computer was added. Over 400 Diablo VT's were
built. The engine (5.7L), delivered 492HP. Over 400 VT's were built.
In 1994 the
Diablo SE30 was
introduced to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Lamborghini. The
engine was beefed up to about 520HP. It was a lighter car than its
predecessors due to more carbon fiber being used. As the year
went by further modifications of the SE30 were added. There was a
"JOTA" edition that delivered up to 600HP due to camshaft and air
intake modifications. These cars are really racing cars.
Approximately 150 SE30's were built.
In 1995 the
Diablo Roadster was
introduced. A truly beautiful roadster. The design by Gandini was
ingenious. The roof could be easily removed and reattached over the
engine cover. About 200 roadsters were built.
In late 1995 Lamborghini
also introduced the
Diablo SV.
This is really a lighter version of the standard VT. The whole front
wheel drive system was removed and the engine was beefed up to
500HP. The car was significantly lighter and a little faster due to
an altered gear-ratio. Less than 200 SV's were built.
The Diablo evolved over
an almost 10 year period into its final form the
6.0L Diablo. The Diablo 6.0L was first
shown in January 2000 at the Detroit Auto Show. It represents the
final evolution stage of the Diablo line of cars. The entire car
(with the exception of the roof and doors) was made of carbon fiber.
The 6L V12 engine put out 550 bhp at 7100 RPM. The input valve
variable timing first seen in the 1998 Diablo VT was improved to now
include exhaust valve variable timing as well. The engine was also
equipped with titanium connecting rods and a lighter crankshaft to
improve performance.
Click
here
to see Diablo VT factory specifications
Click
here
to see Diablo 6.0L factory specifications
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