MOTOR CARS | 149After 17 years in production, the legendary Countach was replaced by
the Diablo, which on its arrival was the fastest, most advanced and most
expensive Lamborghini ever built. First exhibited publicly at Monaco in
January 1990, the Diablo improved on its illustrious predecessor in every
way, setting a new benchmark in supercar design. Nobody can have
been surprised to learn that it had been styled by Marcello Gandini, the
man responsible for the Lamborghini Miura and Countach, for the family
resemblance was obvious.
Beneath the skin there was a steel spaceframe chassis, developed
from the Countach's, but constructed of square-section rather than
round tubing and incorporating crumple zones at front and rear.
The use of carbon-fibre composite panels, first seen in the Countach
Evoluzione model, was extended in the Diablo, which also featured
revised suspension capable of accommodating the envisaged future
developments of four-wheel drive and active suspension. Stretched
to 5.7 litres for the Diablo, Lamborghini's 48-valve V12 engine gained
fuel inQection for the first time and producing a maximum of 492bhp.
Of equal, if not greater significance, maximum torque went up to
428lb/ft, an improvement of 55% over the Countach. Catalytic
converters were standard, enabling the reworked V12 to meet
emissions requirements worldwide.
With more power and a lower drag coefficient than the Countach, the
Diablo easily eclipsed its forebear, exceeding 200mph (322kmh) on test.
More importantly, its acceleration and top speed figures were marginally
better than those of the Ferrari F40. The Diablo though, was not a limited
edition model like the latter, but a series production car with a luxuriously
appointed interior reÅecting its designers intention to produce a civilised
Gran Turismo as suited to city streets and motorways as the racetrack. Its
<K launch price was pitched at Qust under 153,000, making the Diablo one
the world's most expensive cars. Four-wheel drive Diablo VT and Targa-style
open roadster versions soon followed and then came the Diablo SE (Special
Edition) only 150 examples of which were built to celebrate Lamborghinis
30 years as a car manufacturer. Designed to appeal more to the enthusiast
driver, a simpler and lighter two-wheel drive Diablo SV (Super Veloce) was
introduced in 1995. The last Diablo left the Sant'Agata factory in 2006.One of some 873 '1st Series' cars made, this beautiful Diablo was built
to European specification and is presented in original condition, including
the paintwork, having covered a mere 36,200 kilometres (approximately
22,500 miles) from new. No modifications have been made and the Diablo
is described as in working order in every department. Finished in yellow
with black leather interior, the car is currently not registered but comes with
Netherlands registration papers, the vendors 2014 purchase agreement, an
owner's manual, and a €1,500 bill for a service carried out in October 2014.
£95,000 - 125,000
€110,000 - 150,000