1991 saw the announcement of the four-wheel-drive
Diablo VT (Viscous Traction), finally entering production in 1993. As well
as the new feature of driven front wheels, the VT also featured electronically
switchable suspension, with four modes selectable by the driver. The VT
roadster was then shown in 1992. Basically this was a targa-top car, being
a stiffened VT chassis with a removeable composite roof panel.
To celebrate 30 years of Lamborghini, in
1993 30 examples of the SE30 were produced. With 525bhp from a tuned engine,
it also benefitted from a weight reduction of some 150kgs, adjustable traction
control and rear anti-roll bar and various other detail changes. It was
rear-wheel drive only.
In 2000 the new Diablo GT was introduced.
Featuring a further enlarged 6-litre engine with 575bhp the design has
also evolved somewhat with an air outlet in the bonnet, fixed headlights,
a large roof-mounted air intake and wider tracks both at the front and
the rear. The weight was reduced and an electronically adjustable suspension
system fitted.
The
successor to the Countach, the P132 project
began in 1985 but did not really get underway until the financial clout
of Chrysler became available. The end result was the Diablo which emerged
at Monte Carlo in early 1990. The basic design remained the same, with
a mid-mounted V12, the gearbox mounted in front of the engine, a tubular
frame, two seats and a radical design. The details were much developed
though. The chassis was all new and used square (rather than round) section
tube together with a longer wheelbase. The body was an all new design by
Gandini, using steel (roof), aluminium (wings and doors) and more exotic
composites (engine cover, boot lid, bumpers etc) and with a drag coefficient
of 0.31, whilst the interior was by Chrysler. The engine was a development
of the Countach unit, now with a displacement of 5707cc and with increased
power and torque.
The
SV (Sport Veloce), introduced in 1996, featured a hydraulic system to raise
the nose (to icrease ground clearance) but lost the electronically switchable
suspension. A slightly lower output of 510bhp provided greater acceleration
thanks to a lower ratio gearbox. Various small design changes were made,
both inside and out. For a one-make race series the SV-R was born. This
featured 540bhp, racing suspension, strengthened chassis, a slight reduction
in weight and all the normal competiton accessories (roll-cage, harness,
seat and safety equipment).
Technical Details
| Engine | 5707cc (87x80mm) V12 with 4 valves per cylinder and 492bhp @ 7,000rpm
'GT' and '6.0' : 5992cc V12 |
| Suspension | front : double wishbone and coil springs plus anti-roll bar
rear : double wishbone and coil springs plus anti-roll bar |
| Brakes | ventilated discs all round |
| Transmission | 5 speed manual |
| Kerb weight | 1651kg |
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