LAMBORGHINI

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…

Lamborghini produced this unique model in 1996 to mark the launch of its first official competition model, the Diablo SV-R , used in the Lamborghini Supertrophy and SuperSport Trophy. The VT-R Roadster dropped the roof and front-wheel drive of the VT Roadster and was powered by the SV-R’s 600bhp V12 engine. The VT-R Roadster retained the front end of the VT, but the headlights were replaced by air intakes with NACA sockets, and the fog lamps were removed. The SV-R’s rear end, with its imposing diffuser and monumental flat spoiler, is also there to put on a show. In the cabin, only a bucket seat is fitted with a 5-point harness. Based on the principle of the SE30 Jota kit, large scoops draw in forced air just above the rider’s head.

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.

28 of the 150 Diablo SE30s produced will be converted with a factory kit called Jota, the main aim of which is to increase power. Power was increased to 595 bhp at 7,300 rpm and 639 Nm at 4,800 rpm thanks to a new exhaust system and two air intake tunnels on the bonnet, a principle that would later be used on the Diablo SV. While the bodywork modification may be appreciated in different ways, the power of the SE30 Jota’s venerable Lamborghini V12 makes everyone agree!

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…

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!

Like the VT Roadster and SE30, this special edition launched for the US market features reworked side air intakes. The engine produces 510bhp, like the US versions, instead of 523bhp in Europe. In short, there’s nothing really out of the ordinary here – like all Lamborghinis, they’re made to order, so anything’s possible… a little touch of fantasy at most, but nothing that really merits a look at this model.

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!

Lamborghini’s supercar remains one of the last of its kind to follow a truly artisanal manufacturing method, very close to the one used in its early days. In addition to the V12, which is still assembled by hand and bench-tested before being integrated into the body, the tubular chassis is made by Marchesi in Modena, while the aluminium panels for the front trunk, doors and wings are supplied by Golden Car in Cuneo, a specialist who also works for Maserati. The composite body panels, bonnet and fascias are made directly at the Lamborghini factory, in an Autoclave. The cylinder head comes from Fonderia Scacchetti before being finished at Lamborghini. The customisation still permitted by craftsmanship is almost infinite, making many Lamborghini Diablo unique. Beyond the simple customised paint colour, the engine specifications themselves can be adapted, from the gearbox ratios (3 types of axle are available) to the compression ratio! Each car is then tested over 3 60-kilometre sessions, during which the suspension and engine management settings are validated before it is declared ready for delivery. Engines assembled from 1999 onwards can be identified by the inscription ‘Valve Timing Management’ on the central air intake cover. The restyled Lamborghini Diablo SV (or Series 2) was only produced from October 1998 to December 1999.

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.