How Fast Is The Lamborghini Diablo?

Since the Lamborghini Diablo replaced the long-running and popular Countach, collectors and enthusiast alike have often asked, "How fast is the Lamborghini Diablo?" The Lamborghini Diablo was produced from 1990 until 2001 and was the first production Lamborghini to breach the 200 mile per hour top speed threshold. Through the decade the the Dibalo was manufactured, it maintained its basic body shape and function although there were changes made not only in body design, but in horsepower and varying models built.

In 1991, the Lamborghini Diablo became the fastest production car in the world with a top speed of 202 miles per hour; thus surpassing the rival Ferrari F40. This reign lasted until the Jaguar XJ220 overtook the title in 1993. The first models of the Lamborghini DIablo were equipped with a 492 horsepower V-12 mid-mounted engine with a rear-wheel drive platform. As the Lamborghini gained power and popularity, the Lamborghini Diablo VT was introduced in 1993. The VT took the rear-wheel drive super car to another level by taking up to 25 percent of the power and applying to the the front wheels thus making the car an all-wheel drive monster.

During the 1994 and 1995 model years, Lamborghini was celebrating their 30th anniversary as an automotive manufacturer, and 2 new versions of the Lamborghini Diablo were introduced; the SE and the SE30 Jota. While these were produced in limited numbers, the horsepower was increased to 595 while the weight was reduced in order to increase the speed, handling and manuverability of the Lamborghini Diablo.

In 1995, the Diablo increased the horsepower yet again with the launch of the SV, or super veloce, version to 510 horsepower thus increasing the top speed to 209 miles per hour. While this was not a record-setting speed, it was, however enough to convince Lamborghini to re-introduce itself into the automotive racing world. This was accomplished with the lighter yet Lamborghini Diablo SVR which weighed 421 pounds less than the SV and the horsepower was yet again increased to 540.

1999 came in with some minor cosmetic changes to the Lamborghini Diablo, the most noticeable of which was the exposed headlights and the obvious increase in horsepower. The first models of the final production run for the Lamborghini Diablo retained the 5.7 liter V-12 engine producing 529 horsepower. In 2000 the Lamborghini Diablo GT and GTR were introduced, and these were race ready versions of the Lamborghini Diablo that were available to the public, well, the ones that could afford them anyway. These models had the new 6.0 liter V-12 engine that produced 575 and 590 horsepower respectively. This allowed the Lamborghini Diablo to reach speeds of 214 miles per hour.

The Lamborghini Diablo's final production run consisted of the Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 VT and VT SE. These were more refined and more powerful versions of the Diablo as Lamborghini was preparing for the launch of its successor, the Murcielago in 2002. While offering a 550 horsepower version of the 6.0 liter V-12, the Lamborghini Diablo VT was capable of reaching a top speed of 208 miles per hour.

 Autozine: Lamborghini Diablo (1990)