Lamborghini Diablo
In the eighties the legendary model Countach was out of date appreciably. The company Lamborghini had undertaken a task of creating of the worthy successor. Thus Lamborghini Diablo was designed. The Diablo was presented to the public on January 1990 in Monte Carlo where this automobile created a furor. The design of the car was done by Marcello Gandini, who was appreciated as an expert at his job. When Chrysler bought Lamborghini American masters took active part in designing of cars. Diablo look reflected the early nineties styles which bereaved the car of its angular aggression but made it more refined, elegant and eccentric than its predecessor was. The trendy wedge-shaped contour and gigantic “wings” of its hood drove all people in the world mad.

Diablo has the welded space steel tube frame by the best Italian traditions. All wheels have the independent suspension by parallelogram and the crosswise engine behind seat. The automobile was tested in detail and its reliability did not give rise to complaints, this car had perfect controllability in spite of its explosive temper.
The main motive force was the engine V12 by volume 5709 sm3 producing a maximum output of 492 PS (367 kW). The power generating set had Double Over Head Camshaft and the system of electronic fuel injection. According to the company officials Diablo had a top speed of 323 km/h.
In spite of the high price standard features were minimal including a simple radio (remote CD changer), hand window raisers, the lack of Anti-lock braking system (ABS). Lamborghini company considered that the car had to be as light as possible because its weight was 1625 kg. But anyway a few optional features were available.
The first edition Diablo selling lasted from 1991 to 1993.
In 1993 the basic model was changed. Lamborghini company decided that the enhanced model of this car could attract new customers. That new model was Diablo VT that meant “Viscous Traction” in English. The car was equipped the central viscous clutch directed up to 27% of the torque to the front wheels. Visual changes were augmentation of size of air intakes near rear wheels, renewal of dashboard and occurrence of the chute in the quite high engine compartment cover. This chute let watch what is going on through the rear-view mirror.

From 1995 to 1998 the model Diablo SV (Sport Veloce) that was translated as “fast, sport” from the Italian language. This Lamborghini car had only rear-wheel drive. The renewal production engine received a healthy boost to 510 PS. Diablo SV got the new dashboard, augmented brakes, adjustable spoiler and twin air intakes. Front and rear bumpers were also redesigned. There was the big emblem “SV” on the each side of the car. Design was made of the “alcantara” leather in sport style inside of the car airbag for passengers was not set till 1998 while it became the standard feature.
The German masters of tuning of Auto König started to complete Diablo SV. They constructed their own modification of this model with more serious brake-gear and the twin turbocompressor that let increase the output to 800 PS (597 kW).
In 1994 Diablo SE30 was on sale. It was Special Edition in honour of the 30-aged of Lamborghini. This limited line consisted of 150 cars and 8 of them were right-hand drive car.
In 1995 the company presented Diablo SE30 Jota. The main difference of this modification was 2 original air intakes in the rear part top of the automobile (that was a reason to decline the rear-view mirror inside of the car). There was the all-synchronized gearbox in the new model. The improving of the engine received the output to 595 PS (with 7300 rotations per minute) and with the fixed displacement volume. Each four wheels were fitted out caliper brakes with augmented area of disks and slippers, but there was still no ABS there.
An air-conditioner, a radio and even brand carbon fibre seats were removed for reduction of weight the car. And it let reduce the total weight of the car down from 125 kg in comparison with the standard edition.
There are some suppositions, that only 10 left-hand drive SE30 Jota and 2 right-hand drive cars were produced there. The open exhaust system was standard for Jota that was not allowed in all countries and that’s why could not let register the car there. The automobile could not be used completely out highways but some of them were noticed on the public roads.
In 1995 at the Bolognese Auto show Diablo VTR Roadster was introduced. This modification was based on the standard Diablo thus it had completely redesigned body. The retractable roof was easy removed and fixed above the engine bay. Design was made of weather-resistant materials. The dashboard became smaller but included all necessary features. Constructors augmented two air intakes above back wings for inflowing more air.
In 1999 the second modification of Diablo VTR Roadster was produced with just cosmetic changes. The car got new headlights, wheels and a dashboard. They augmented disk brakes, ABS and the new system of touring fuel consumption. A notable feature of the SV was an increase in horsepower to 537 PS (395 kW) that let speed up the car from 0 to 100 km/h for 3,9 seconds.
In spite of huge amounts were spent on changes producing of the second modification of VTR was finished in 2000. Later customers could order only Roadster redesigned of coupe by the tuning saloon Koening.
In 1996 Lamborghini cars took part in the championship Phillipe Charriol Super Sport Trophy. Racing laps were carried out for two years in all well-known tracks of the world: Le Mans, Nurburgring, Nogaro, Vallelunga. The racing car Diablo SV (Sport Veloce Racing) was constructed special for this championship and this automobile became the first official one of Lamborghini for racing GT. This model had the engine by volume 5,7 litres and output of 540 PS. Because of that engine the car sped up to 100 km/h less than for 4 seconds. Besides, the racing car was lighter down from 150 kg than the basic SV.
Diablo GT1 is a car that was produced by Lamborghini and the French company SAT (Signes Advanced Technology) of Toulon. The task of creation of GT1 was a decision to stop hegemony of Porsche GT1 in racing tracks. The company SAT specialized in racing automobiles was responsible for aerodynamics, the fuel system, the cooling system, brakes and Lamborghini was responsible for the engine.

In 1999 at the Geneva auto show Diablo GT was introduced. This model was produced in limited line 80 cars and only for Europe selling. This modification was well-known as the fastest car in the world at the producing moment. It sped up 338 km/h because of extension of the V12 engine volume to 5992 sm3. And this new engine had the output of 575 PS with 7300 rotations per minute and 630 Nm of torque with 5500 rotations per minute.
The new system of individual fuel consumption was let enhance efficiency factor of engine by every drum multi-trottles both in middle and high rotations. The engine was provided with the system of acoustic absorption ENCS that was based on cables of variable section and two valves were adjusted by the system of engine control. The engine was made of aluminium and titan alloys that let really reduce its weight.
Almost all parts of a body were made of carbon excepting the roof and doors. The wide and low Diablo GT had the high-powered air intake in spite of a rear window. There was a camera on the spoiler that gave the pictures onto a special colored screen inside of a car. There were hard seats were made of expensive leather with minimal regulations, a leather steering wheel, gear-change lever with an aluminium knob inside of the car. The servo steering servo drive changed responsivity of the steering wheel with increasing of speed. There were 4 colors of Diablo GT: orange, silver titan, black and acid yellow.
Redesigned body of Diablo GT was augmented up 110 mm, enhanced chassis and the brake-gear with 335 mm aerated brake discs, ABS, reduced weight and the new sport style.
The modification Diablo GTR was presented at the Bolognese auto show. This car was based on Diablo GT, producing of this model was 40 cars. Diablo GTR had changed chassis frame linked directly with the back wing, the sport brake-gear, reduced weight and simple style inside. There were additional radiators for oil cooling of transmission in the new model.
The augmented engine with output of 590 PS sped up the car to 348 km/h. The bonneted water cooling radiators by each sides of the engine, the fuel radiator in front of the engine as in Diablo GT. Also Diablo GTR had additional coolers for the gearshift on the back axle. The front-wheel suspension became harder.

This model was equipped with a special racing fuel tank with fast filling system. Most body parts were made of carbon fiber, only the roof was made of steel to increase the longitudinal stiffness and aluminum doors for security reasons. The car was equipped with fire fighting system simplified joints of the cab, for better stabilization driver's seat with six-point safety belt had been moved to the longitudinal axis of the car.
When Audi AG bought Lamborghini they decided to make several changes to increase income till the replacement of this model - Lamborghini Murciélago would not be introduced. It was the last major redesign of the car. The changes were made as in the exterior and in the design - the front bumper, air intakes, dashboard, seats were changed once again. At that time Diablo received index VT 6.0.
The car engine of 6 liters from the Diablo GT was corrected in the electronic control unit (ECU), fuel and exhaust systems, control valves and the system of touring fuel consumption.
Diablo VT 6.0 was produced from 2000 to 2001. From 1990 to 2001 3000 different modifications of Lamborghini Diablo was introduced.