Lamborghini Diablo
1990–2001 · Lamborghini Diablo — Supercar, V12, designed by Marcello Gandini.
The Story
The Diablo had the hardest job in Sant’Agata: follow the Countach. It managed by being faster, more usable and — eventually — the first Lamborghini that could put power down in the wet. Gandini drew it, but by then Chrysler owned Lamborghini and Detroit sanded the sharpest edges off his original. Gandini was annoyed enough to build the design he’d actually wanted as the Cizeta V16T (you’ll find it in MORE CARS).
Named, like its forebears, after a fighting bull — a 19th-century beast that battled the matador ‘El Chicorro’ in 1869 — the Diablo broke 200 mph and became the analog supercar’s last great hurrah. The 1993 VT (‘Viscous Traction’) made it Lamborghini’s first all-wheel-drive road car. By the time the 6.0 closed the run in 2001, under Audi, it made 550 hp and looked properly modern.
It was the ’90s in carbon and steel: the Need for Speed III cover star, the Jamiroquai ‘Cosmic Girl’ hero car, the thing Cage and Tyson parked outside. The market spent two decades ignoring it. It isn’t ignoring it now.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Supercar class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Marcello Gandini
One of history’s most influential car designers; defined the wedge era at Bertone (Miura, Countach, Stratos). Penned the EB110’s body for the reborn Bugatti. Born Turin 1938, died 2024. Sources: Wikipedia; Car Design News. PARTIAL: his Lamborghini cars (in the Lamborghini file) will join at the cross-make consolidation.
Studio Motors POV
The Diablo is the last truly analog Lamborghini — no turbos, no hybrid, no safety net — and that’s exactly why it’s appreciating now. We hunt documented, unmolested cars: an early manual for purists, a 6.0 for the driver, a GT or SE30 for the collector chasing the unicorn.
Lineage
Where it sits in the bloodline
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About Diablo
Worth Knowing About the Diablo
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- Gandini's original sharp design was softened by Chrysler — he later built his true vision as the Cizeta V16T.
- The 1993 VT ('Viscous Traction') was Lamborghini's first all-wheel-drive supercar — the LM002 (1986) was the brand's first AWD road car.
- It was the cover car of Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit (the SV).
5 Fast Facts
- Built 1990–2001, ~2,900 made.
- Named after a fighting bull that fought matador 'El Chicorro' in 1869.
- The last 'analog' Lamborghini before driver aids took over.
- Starred in Jamiroquai's 'Cosmic Girl' and Dumb and Dumber.
- Final VT 6.0 SE: just 42 built, under Audi ownership.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
Mike Tyson · Nicolas Cage · Jay Leno · Mario Andretti
(Documented — Wikipedia / Top Gear.)
Studio Buyer’s Brief
Early gated-manual cars and the hot variants (SV, SE30, GT, 6.0) lead the market. The Audi-era 6.0 is the most developed and usable; the SE30 Jota and GT are the collector unicorns. Check overheating history, clutch wear and honest restorations.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Lamborghini Diablo
- Class
- Supercar
- Production years
- 1990–2001
- Units built
- ~2,900 total (VT 6.0 ~337; 6.0 SE 42)
- Variants
- VT, SV, SE30 (+ Jota), GT, 6.0, VT Roadster
- Engine layout
- Mid
- Engine
- V12
- Engine family
- Bizzarrini V12
- Displacement
- 6.0L (VT 6.0; early 5.7L)
- Power
- 542 hp
- Torque
- 457 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 3.9 s
- Top speed
- 205 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 334 hp/tonne · 6.6 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
- Drivetrain
- AWD (VT; early RWD) · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 3582 lb
Questions
Diablo FAQ
How many Lamborghini Diablos were made?
Approximately 2,900 Diablos were produced between 1990 and 2001 across all variants including the VT, SV, SE30 and GT. The final VT 6.0 SE was limited to just 42 units under Audi ownership.
What engine does the Lamborghini Diablo use?
The Diablo uses the Bizzarrini-derived V12, beginning at 5.7 litres in early cars and growing to 6.0 litres in the final VT 6.0. The 6.0-litre version produces 542 hp and traces its lineage back to Giotto Bizzarrini’s original 1963 Lamborghini engine design.
Who designed the Lamborghini Diablo?
The Diablo was drawn by Marcello Gandini, who also designed the Countach and Miura. Chrysler’s ownership led to his sharper original concept being softened by Detroit stylists; Gandini later realised his unmodified vision as the Cizeta V16T.
How much does a Lamborghini Diablo cost today?
Base Diablo examples start from approximately $200,000 depending on variant and condition. The most sought-after cars — the SE30 Jota, GT and VT 6.0 SE — can exceed $1 million at auction for the finest documented examples.
Can you buy a Lamborghini Diablo?
Yes. The Diablo is a modern classic available through specialist exotic-car dealers and private collections.
The Lamborghini Lineup
Explore every Lamborghini
350 GT ’64400 GT ’66Miura ’66Espada ’68Islero ’68
Jarama ’70Urraco ’72Countach ’74Silhouette ’76
Diablo ’90
Murcielago ’01Gallardo ’03Reventon ’08
Aventador ’11Veneno ’13Huracan ’14Centenario ’16Huracan Performante ’17Urus ’18Aventador SVJ ’18Sian ’19
Huracan STO ’21Countach LPI 800-4 ’21Revuelto ’23Temerario ’25
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