Lamborghini Diablo
The Lamborghini Diablo ("devil" in Spanish) was a sports car built by Lamborghini of Italy. It was introduced in 1990 as a replacement for the aging Countach model at a base price of approximately US$ 240,000. Power came from a slightly updated version of the Countach's V12 powerplant, producing 492 horsepower and 427 foot-pounds of torque, enough to power the vehicle to 60 miles per hour in slightly over 4 seconds and to a top speed of 202 Miles Per Hour (325 km/h). As in the Countach, the Diablo was rear-wheel-drive and the engine was mid-mounted to aid it's weight balance. Even at over $200,000, the vehicle was fairly sparse in terms of equipment, featuring only basic radio functions (with optional CD playback) along with manual windows and adjustable but un-powered seats, all done with the intention of minimizing the vehicle's already compareablly high curb weight. However, in both the Countach and the Diablo, the engine sits slightly higher within the chassis than what was considered normal in comparison to mid-engined cars from Ferrari and Lotus due to its design. Rather than mount the engine centrally, Lamborghini choose to mount the Diablo's engine partially over the vehicle's rear wheels to help aid traction. The driveshaft was as a result actually hanging out over the rear axle, requireing that a second shaft to be mounted in order to transmit engine power forward to the transaxle.
After the Volkswagen Group's aquisition of Lamborghini from previous owner Chrysler Corporation in the late 90s, several updated and special edition versions of the Diablo were produced, including models based on a Lamborghini road-race car and an ultra high performance model powered by an enlarged 6.0 litre V12 with higher power output.
Specifications
1991–1997.5 model years
- Power: 367 kW (492 bhp) @ 7000 rpm
- Torque: 580 N·m (427.8 ft·lbf) @ 5900 rpm
- Length: 4460 mm (175.6 in)
- Width: 2040 mm (80.3 in)
- Height: 1105 mm (43.5 in)
- Weight: 1605 kg (3538.4 lb)
1998–1999 model years
- Power: 390 kW (530 bhp) @ 7100 rpm
- Torque: 605 N·m (446.2 ft·lbf) @ 5500 rpm
- Length: 4470 mm (176 in)
- Width: 2040 mm (80.3 in)
- Height: 1115 mm (43.9 in)
- Weight: 1530 kg (3373.1 lb)
2000–2001 model years
- Power: 405 kW (550 bhp) @ 7100 rpm
- Torque: 620 N·m (457.3 ft·lbf) @ 5500 rpm
- Length: 4470 mm (176 in)
- Width: 2040 mm (80.3 in)
- Height: 1105 mm (43.5 in)
- Weight: 1625 kg (3582.5 lb)
