At Geneva in March 1998, the first new model to be presented after the Audi takeover was a Roadster version of the Diablo SV. Until then, the convertible had only been available with 4-wheel drive. MegaTech didn’t want to miss out on any customers, so it decided to make the convertible a bit more virile! The Diablo SV Roadster was also to be sold at a slightly lower price than the very exclusive VT Roadster and, like the SV Coupé, was a new entry-level model. Compared with the VT Roadster, the suspension was simplified, but pilot-controlled damping remained available as an option. The rear spoiler was also an option. As a result, the SV Roadster weighed in at a very reasonable 1,530 kg, a guarantee of breathtaking performance! But production of the Diablo SV Roadster was finally cancelled by Audi the year after its presentation, despite the fact that the brand had already received several orders. The reason was that the German firm wanted to keep only all-wheel-drive versions in the catalogue… This new strategic direction would be reflected in the discontinuation of the SV coupé at the end of the year. Only 6 examples of the Diablo SV Roadster would be produced, considered as prototypes, including the orange one pictured here with the old design and a few others with the restyling. These are some collector’s items!

The VS or Victoria’s Secret model isn’t a special series per se, it’s an SV specially fitted out according to the wishes of the lingerie brand for a media stunt during the Christmas holidays. The pearl-white model with a cream interior bears the VS (inverse of SV) logo on the sides. Once the minor cosmetic changes had been made, the model appeared in the 1998 Christmas Catalogue like any other item. The vehicle was sold to the USA, where it remains to this day in 2012…

Following its takeover by VW, Lamborghini gave the Diablo a very minimal restyling, designed to tide it over until its replacement (which won’t be until 2001!). The main new feature of the 1999 VT 5.7, or VT Series 2, was the removal of the retractable headlamps, symbols of another age, in favour of more powerful headlamps encased in a polycarbonate bubble. The Diablo VT is also fitted with an extra shoe size on 18″ monobloc rims, allowing it to be equipped with brakes that have also been upgraded, backed up by ABS as standard. The entire passenger compartment has been extensively reworked to take the quality of the finish up a notch, in keeping with the Germanic influence… A passenger airbag is now standard.

In 1993, in response to criticism from its customers, Lamborghini launched the Diablo VT (for Viscous Traction) Series 1, whose main development was its new all-wheel drive system with central viscous coupling derived from the LM002. The 5.7 V12 remains unchanged, but the brakes have been strengthened – although ABS is still out – and a new computer-controlled Koni suspension has been fitted (5 modes for the driver to choose from). The dashboard has also been redesigned. Other minor changes include air conditioning, body-coloured mirrors, air intakes in the front bumper under the fog lamps, and new, narrower front tyres. In the face of the economic crisis, this model is intended to be more consensual and less expensive.

After Lamborghini was taken over by Audi AG in 1998, the Germans froze all new projects that had already been completed. This also applied to the model that was to replace the Diablo. Audi’s management preferred to exploit the supercar’s full potential. The VT 6.0 was the first and last real restyling to be accepted, but in reality it was no more than a cosmetic update of the existing model. The changes will involve a few body elements and the interior trim. The front bumper and air intakes have been redesigned. The instrument panel has been redesigned, as has the gear lever. On the other hand, Audi chose to replace the famous Lamborghini V12 engine with a 6-litre hybrid engine derived from the engine in the Diablo GT. The result for the driver is a slower transfer of power to the wheels. In addition, Audi engineers wanted to revise the four-wheel drive version, taking inspiration from their Audi Quattro. But we don’t treat this kind of car in the same way.

A special version of the highly acclaimed Diablo 6.0 was presented to the public at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show. The VT 6.0 Special Edition is a reissue of the version redesigned by Audi in 2000. The new paint finishes were Oro Elios, a metallic gold, and Marrone Eklipsis, a dark brown metallic. The only real innovation is the addition of a DVD audio player.

The second series of the VT Coupé and VT Roadster is above all a styling update. The model adopts the classic headlights of the Super Veloce and 18″ wheels on all four wheels. The interior layout has been completely revised. On the mechanical side, ABS has been introduced, and the 5.7-litre V12 engine now develops 530 bhp and features VVT (Variable Valve Timing) technology (as found on Alfa Romeo models since the 75) to improve efficiency at all engine speeds, with a significant reduction in fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. Acceleration was further improved, with the 0-100 km/h time dropping below 4 seconds. Lamborghini suspended production of this ‘VT’ version after just one year.

Back in 1992, Lamborghini presented a roofless Diablo prototype at the Geneva Motor Show. But it took 3 years of development to design the Diablo VT Roadster and its original sliding carbon fibre roof system. On the outside, the Diablo VT Roadster features side vents taken from the Diablo SE30, which feed the rear brake discs and oil coolers. The rear bumper is also very similar to that of the Diablo SE30. The front bumper is also different from that of the Diablo VT coupé. The fog lamps are now separate, with two rectangular and two circular ones, and are complemented by two air intakes on the sides for the brakes. The Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster also gets twin oval tailpipes instead of the coupé’s round ones. Finally, the 17″ wheels on the Lamborghini Roadster are also special. Inside, the seats are a little different, with special leather capable of resisting water in the event of a surprise downpour. As its name suggests, the Diablo roadster is only available with all-wheel drive…

In the run-up to the new model, we’re still trying to arouse interest with an Nth special series. The main feature of this special edition was a customised interior, a combination of red and beige leather and alcantara, with MOMO 4-point seatbelts and a MOMO steering wheel… Some models also received 18″ chrome wheels… Once again, these models were only sold on the US market!

Inspired by the Diablo SE30 Jota , the new management wanted to offer even more extreme (and expensive) variants of the Diablo, in the form of limited series, likely to attract the wealthiest collectors. The Sant’Agata factory built the Diablo VT-R in 1996. Much less well known – only 3 (!) of the 5 originally planned were produced – the VT-R remains one of the brand’s last follies before… its new takeover. It’s quite possible that Lamborghini had some Diablo SE30 parts in stock, so the idea was to re-use them on a Diablo VT chassis, with the exception of the distinctive little windows and wheels, which were borrowed from the Diablo VT roadster. The Diablo VT-R uses a modified version of the 5.7L V12, capable of propelling the Super Diablo from all 4 wheels at 328 Km/h.