Original Lamborghini Diablo 1990–2001

Overview

Engines

5.7L V12, 6.0L V12

Came as

• Coupe
• Roadster 1995–2000

On record

6 warnings, 3 recalls

The story

The Diablo kept the scissor doors of the Countach and a V12 grown from the Countach's, now with electronic fuel injection, over a steel spaceframe clad in aluminium and composite panels. It came better equipped than the Countach, with adjustable seats and wheel, electric windows and an Alpine stereo, and power steering from 1993. Automobili, Goodwood Classic Solutions, a published reference

The racing SV-R of 1996 already traded the pop-up headlamps for fixed ones. For 1999 the road cars followed: the pop-ups gave way to fixed lamps taken, under licence, from the Nissan 300ZX of the Z32 generation. Jalopnik notes the same lamps also went on Nissan's R390 GT1 race car and its road version. Jalopnik, a published reference

Lamborghini says the second series grew slightly more angular and got a wholly new interior, with better materials and equipment. Goodwood describes the Diablo's life as a raw early car growing more civilised and usable, above all after Audi took over. Automobili, Goodwood Classic Solutions

Rare and special

• Alpine Edition
• Momo Edition
• Monterey Edition
• SE30 Jota kit
• Millennium Roadster

Colors

• Titanium Metallic Rare2000
• Oro Elios Rare2000–2001
• Marrone Eklipsis Rare2000–2001

Sources: A published reference

Rare colors and interiors

• Rare

  Titanium Metallic Color

  One of two Millennium Roadster colours, and the only one sent to the US A published reference

• Rare

  Oro Elios Color

  VT 6.0 SE only A published reference

• Rare

  Marrone Eklipsis Color

  VT 6.0 SE only A published reference

Specs

Engines

• 5.7L V12 Automobili, a published reference

  492 PS at launch, rising to 530 PS with variable valve timing · 1990–2000

  Gearbox

  5-speed manual A published reference

  Drives

  Rear-wheel drive, All-wheel drive (A viscous centre coupling sends torque to the front wheels when the rears slip, 1993–2001) Automobili, a published reference

• 6.0L V12 Automobili, a published reference

  575 PS in the GT, 550 PS in the VT 6.0 · 1999–2001

  Gearbox

  5-speed manual A published reference

  Drives

  Rear-wheel drive, All-wheel drive (A viscous centre coupling sends torque to the front wheels when the rears slip, 1993–2001) Automobili, a published reference

Body styles

• Coupe A published reference
• Roadster (1995–2000) Goodwood Classic Solutions, a published reference

Trims

• Diablo (1990–1998) A published reference
• Diablo VT (1993–2000) Automobili, a published reference
• Diablo SE30 (1993) Goodwood Classic Solutions, a published reference
• Diablo SV (1995–1999) Goodwood Classic Solutions, a published reference
• Diablo VT Roadster (1995–2000) Goodwood Classic Solutions, a published reference
• Diablo GT (1999–2000) Automobili, a published reference
• Diablo VT 6.0 (2000–2001) A published reference
• Diablo VT 6.0 SE (2000–2001) A published reference

Packages

• SE30 Jota kit (1995) A published reference
• Monterey Edition (1998) A published reference
• Alpine Edition (1999) A published reference
• Momo Edition (1999) A published reference
• Millennium Roadster (2000) A published reference

Figures

• Built: 2,903, from 1990 to 2001 Automobili, a published reference
• Doors: Scissor doors, as on the Countach Automobili, a published reference
• Structure: A steel spaceframe with aluminium and composite panels Goodwood Classic Solutions
• Wheelbase: 2,650 mm A published reference
• Anti-lock brakes: From 1999, a first for a Lamborghini A published reference

Rare trims and options

• Rare

  Alpine Edition Package

  Sold only in the US A published reference

  12 built for the US A published reference

• Rare

  Momo Edition Package

  Sold only in the US A published reference

  12 built for the US A published reference

• Rare

  Monterey Edition Package

  Sold only in the US A published reference

  20 built for the US A published reference

• Rare

  SE30 Jota kit Package

  28 kits made, about 15 cars converted Goodwood Classic Solutions, a published reference

  28 built A published reference

• Rare

  Millennium Roadster Package

  The last VT Roadsters; 10 went to the US, all in Titanium Metallic A published reference

  30 built A published reference

• Good find

  Diablo VT 6.0 SE Trim

  42 built, in two colours only A published reference

  42 built A published reference

  Why it is a good find: Four owners in a FerrariChat buyer's thread put the 6.0 SE and the SE30 at or near the top of their lists. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Good find

  Diablo GT Trim

  83 built A published reference

  83 built A published reference

  Why it is a good find: Six owners in a FerrariChat buyer's thread rank the limited versions such as the GT above the regular cars, and Goodwood counts the GT among the Diablo's prized rarities. Goodwood Classic Solutions, owners' reports (unofficial)

• Good find

  Diablo SE30 Trim

  150 built, 25 of them for the US A published reference

  150 built A published reference

  Why it is a good find: Six owners in a FerrariChat buyer's thread rank the limited versions such as the SE30 and GT above the regular cars, and Goodwood counts the SE30 among the Diablo's prized rarities. Goodwood Classic Solutions, owners' reports (unofficial)

Years and what changed

1. 1990

   The Diablo is presented on 21 January as a rear-drive coupe with a 5.7L V12. Automobili, a published reference

2. 1991

   No change recorded

3. 1992

   No change recorded

4. 1993

   The all-wheel-drive VT arrives, power steering comes in, and the SE30 is built for Lamborghini's 30th anniversary. Automobili, a published reference

5. 1994

   No change recorded

6. 1995

   The rear-drive SV arrives, priced just below the base car, the VT Roadster arrives in December, and the SE30 Jota kit is offered. Goodwood Classic Solutions, a published reference

7. 1996

   No change recorded

8. 1997

   No change recorded

9. 1998

   The SV, VT and VT Roadster get 18-inch wheels for bigger brakes, and variable valve timing lifts power to 530 PS. A published reference

10. 1999
    Refresh

    A facelift under Audi: fixed headlamps from the Nissan 300ZX replace the pop-ups, a new wave-shaped dashboard arrives, ABS is fitted, and the base car is dropped. The 6.0L GT goes on sale. Automobili, Goodwood Classic Solutions, a published reference

11. 2000

    The VT 6.0 arrives with a new front and the 6.0L V12, as a coupe only, and the VT Roadster bows out with the Millennium Roadster. A published reference

12. 2001

    Production ends with the VT 6.0 SE, and the Murciélago replaces the Diablo. Automobili, a published reference

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Cam chain tensioners 1990–2000

  Check: Ask whether the original tensioners were replaced with the later manually adjusted ones, and listen for a rattle off the throttle.

  Goodwood says the early 5.7's hydraulic tensioners can in time let the chain snap, and that the later manual ones are often fitted instead. Seven owners in three FerrariChat threads raise the tensioners too. Goodwood Classic Solutions, owners' reports (unofficial)

• Worn clutch All years

  Check: In a high gear, accelerate from low revs and feel for slip, and make sure it shifts cleanly when warm. Ask when the clutch was last done.

  Six owners in four FerrariChat threads call the clutch the main worry, and five say a clutch job means taking the engine out. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Bent clutch slave rod All years

  Check: Ask whether the rod between the clutch slave cylinder and the pivot was replaced.

  Two owners in two FerrariChat threads say this rod can bend or break and leave the car stranded. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Weak brakes on earlier cars 1990–1998

  Check: Brake hard from speed on the test drive, and ask whether the brakes were upgraded.

  Eight owners in four FerrariChat threads call the early brakes too small, and some fitted upgrades. Bigger discs and ABS came in 1999. A published reference, owners' reports (unofficial)

• Rust in the steel spaceframe All years

  One source so far

  Check: Have the frame looked over from underneath for corrosion.

  Goodwood says the aluminium and composite panels do not rust, but the steel frame beneath them can. Goodwood Classic Solutions

• Failing catalytic converters All years

  Check: Ask whether the catalytic converters were replaced or checked, and smell for overheating after the drive.

  Three owners in two FerrariChat threads warn that the early cars' catalytic converters can fail badly, and two raise the chance of a fire. Owners' reports (unofficial)

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 1997–1998 Recall 98V162000

  The rubber windscreen header protector, which the owner fits when driving with the top off, was left out. NHTSA

• 1996–1997 Recall 98V030000

  The automatic window retractor can stay closed, so the doors may not open. NHTSA

• 1992 Recall 95V186000

  Paint on the back of the wheel centres can let the centre and its flange slip against each other, and the stud sleeves may not be fitted properly. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  Early rear-drive cars 1990–1993

  Eleven owners in three FerrariChat threads favour the early two-wheel-drive cars, most for their raw feel without power steering. Goodwood says true fans prefer the pop-up rear-drive car. Goodwood Classic Solutions, owners' reports (unofficial)

• Avoid

  Pre-Audi build quality 1990–1998

  Less sought after

  Goodwood warns that the cars from before Audi's takeover come with the build quality of that time, and two owners in two FerrariChat threads say the finish is not the Diablo's strong point. Goodwood Classic Solutions, owners' reports (unofficial)

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.