Lamborghini Diablo
By CarWhere Research · Updated
The Lamborghini Diablo is the V12 supercar that replaced the Countach, presented in 1990 and built until 2001, with 2,903 units produced. It launched with a 5.7-liter 492 CV V12 and rear-wheel drive, added all-wheel drive with the 1993 VT, and peaked at 575 CV from 6.0 liters in the 1999 GT.
- Years
- 1990–2001
- Body
- Two-door coupe and roadster with scissor doors
- Production
- 2,903 — Lamborghini states that no fewer than 2,903 Diablos had been produced when it went out of production in 2001.[1]
Lamborghini Diablo specs
| Variant | Engine | Power | Torque | Top speed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diablo (1990)Rear-wheel drive | 5.7-liter V12 with electronic fuel injection | 492492 CV — metric horsepower (CV), as Lamborghini states it | — | — | [1] |
| Diablo VTAll-wheel drive (viscous center coupling, up to 28% of torque to the front) | 5.7-liter V12 | — | — | — | [1] |
| Diablo GT (1999) | 6.0-liter V12 | 575575 CV — metric horsepower (CV), as Lamborghini states it | — | — | [1] |
Figures are Lamborghini's published numbers; acceleration is shown only in the form Lamborghini published it. "—" means no official figure was found.
Lamborghini Diablo fuel economy
Lamborghini Diablo generations and years
| Generation | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diablo (first series) | 1990–1998 | Rear-wheel-drive Berlinetta at launch; the VT added all-wheel drive in 1993, and a roadster followed.[1] |
| Diablo (restyled) | 1998–2001 | Restyled by Centro Stile under Luc Donckerwolke, dropping the pop-up headlights; the first update of the Audi era used a 6.0-liter V12.[1][5] |
Launch and evolution
Lamborghini presented the Diablo in 1990 as a rear-wheel-drive Berlinetta and says it was then the fastest car in the world; its milestones page puts its top speed above 320 km/h. The VT of 1993 used a central viscous coupling plus front and rear limited-slip differentials.
The GT1, GT2, SV-R and GTR competition versions marked Lamborghini’s official debut in racing.[1][5]
Fuel economy
What to check before buying a used Diablo
The 1990s Lamborghini recall records in NHTSA’s open dataset do not name the Diablo in their summaries, so factory documentation is the most useful check. Lamborghini Polo Storico certifies originality against the archive, and the factory still produces original spare parts for classics up to the Diablo.
Polo Storico Certification of Authenticity
Polo Storico verifies the originality of each component against the factory archive.[6]
Original spare parts
Lamborghini’s original-parts program for classics covers models up to the Diablo, ordered through authorized dealers.[6]
Match drivetrain to version
Early cars are rear-wheel drive; the VT and later all-wheel-drive versions use a viscous center coupling, so the drivetrain should match the badge.[1]
Lamborghini Diablo recalls
CarWhere found no NHTSA safety recall campaign that names the Lamborghini Diablo in the U.S. DOT recall dataset. Check a specific car by entering its 17-character VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup.
See how a specific Lamborghini Diablo was built at the factory.
See what a specific Lamborghini VIN was factory-built with. The CarWhere Lamborghini build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.
Related Lamborghini pages
Frequently asked questions
How many Lamborghini Diablos were made?
Lamborghini states that no fewer than 2,903 Diablos were produced by the end of production in 2001.
How much horsepower does a Diablo have?
The original 5.7-liter Diablo had 492 CV. The 1999 Diablo GT reached 575 CV from a 6.0-liter V12.
When did the Diablo get all-wheel drive?
With the VT version in 1993, which could send up to 28% of torque to the front wheels.
Who designed the restyled Diablo?
Lamborghini’s Centro Stile, led by Luc Donckerwolke, restyled the Diablo in 1998.
Sources
Specifications, prices and production figures are as published by Lamborghini; recalls are from the U.S. DOT/NHTSA recall dataset and fuel economy from the EPA. CarWhere does not publish auction or market values for these cars.
- Lamborghini History: Diablo — Automobili Lamborghini
- EPA fuel economy record: 1991 Diablo (5.7 L V12, 5-speed manual) — U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA fuel economy record: 1999 Diablo (5.7 L V12, AWD) — U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA fuel economy record: 2001 Diablo (6.0 L V12, AWD) — U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- The history of Lamborghini: milestones — Automobili Lamborghini
- Lamborghini Polo Storico (classics: archive, certification, restoration, parts) — Automobili Lamborghini
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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.. Lamborghini and the model names are trademarks of their owners.