Diablo SV (1999) The Diablo received a mid-cycle facelift in 1999. Lamborghini simplified the model range by eliminating the "base" Diablo (since the SV model had become the new entry-level trim) and applied universal revisions across the lineup. The most immediately noticeable exterior change was the replacement of the previous Diablo's
pop-up headlamp units with fixed composite lenses, borrowed under license from their original application in the
Nissan 300ZX (Z32). All models were also fitted with new 18 inch wheels. The Diablo range also received an updated interior. Instead of the traditional flat dashboard with a separate upright instrument binnacle, as in many Italian sports cars of the era (and the outgoing Diablo), the new dashboard was an integrated wave-shaped design. A thin strip of black glass ran the length of the dash and contained various instrument indicator and warning lamps. This aesthetic design was inspired by
Bang & Olufsen Hi-Fi products. The power output of the engine was increased to and of torque for both the SV and VT models and now featured
variable valve timing. For the first time in a Lamborghini, the Diablo was equipped with a Kelsey-Hayes
ABS system, complementing larger diameter brake rotors.
Diablo VT and VT Roadster (1999) The second generation of the VT coupé and roadster received the same cosmetic and mechanical upgrades as the SV model, including the fixed headlamps, restyled interior, engine power output, and ABS; little else was changed from the previous generation. All US-spec VT models, coupé and roadster alike, shared the same unique front and rear fascias as seen on the original VT Roadster, along with the vertical rear brake ducts that had debuted on the SE30 model; these cosmetic variations were available as options on VT coupés available in the global market. A special run of twelve Diablo VT models was produced exclusively for the United States market in 1999 and called the
Alpine Edition. As the Diablo had been utilising
Alpine stereo equipment since its inception, this very limited production was intended to showcase and celebrate the Lamborghini/Alpine collaboration. The Alpine Edition was a standard Diablo VT with no engine modifications but having carbon fibre trim in various locations along with highlighting the use of Alpine's multimedia system. The stereo receiver was the top-end CVA-1005 model, with integrated navigation system; also included in the package was a DVD player, 6-disc CD changer, and Alpine's top-of-the-line tweeters, midrange drivers, and subwoofers along with powered by "Lamborghini" badged Alpine amplifiers. Alpine logos adorned the seat headrests, floor mats, and the special car cover included with this rare model. Another special twelve-car run of VT models for the US market consisted of VT Roadsters and was called the
Momo Edition. Like the
Alpine Edition, the Momo Edition catered to the US car buyer's interest in aftermarket products. Lamborghini, rather than spending money to develop certain automotive components, had been using aftermarket suppliers such as Alpine and
MOMO to outfit the Diablo. The Momo Edition was again a standard VT Roadster, but featured special upholstery, MOMO 4-point seatbelt harnesses, and MOMO chrome wheels. Like the Alpine Edition, the Momo Edition also had MOMO logos embroidered in the seat headrests and floor mats. The VT Roadster enjoyed one final limited run of 30 cars for the 2000 model year, after the introduction of the Diablo VT 6.0 (see below). This "Millennium Roadster" model was available in just two colors, Titanium Metallic and yellow, with the 10 cars exported to the United States all finished in Titanium Metallic. Besides an optional carbon fiber spoiler, special two-tone leather interior, and the shorter-ratio SV rear differential (providing enhanced acceleration), this model featured no significant changes from the previous design, and merely served as a final tribute to the outgoing roadster. The engine lid was changed substantially in order to provide proper ventilation when the roof panel was covering it. The roadster also featured revised 17 inch wheels and the air intakes on top and the sides were made larger than the Diablo coupé. For the 1998 Diablo SV, VT, and VT Roadster, the wheels were updated to 18 inches to accommodate bigger brakes, and the engine power output raised to by adding the variable valve timing system. Top speed was also raised to .
Diablo GT Lamborghini introduced the Diablo GT in 1998 with only 80 examples being made available for sale. The Diablo GT, like the SE30 and SE30 Jota before it, was a track-oriented iteration of the Diablo and featured many unique components exclusive to the model. The GT featured aggressive bodywork, a stripped-down interior, and an enlarged engine. The GT variant was exclusive to Europe only, but some were
imported into the US. Exterior changes included an all new black carbon fibre front air dam with large brake ducts and a central vent for the oil cooler (the car still featured driving lamps, the single pair of round units featured on the Diablo VT Roadster). At the front, a large air extractor was added, while the small corner vents on the front quarter panels were changed to NACA style ducts. The front quarter panels themselves were widened to accommodate a wider front track. At the rear, the bumper and its lamps were removed entirely, replaced by a large carbon fibre diffuser which shielded a pair of large center-mounted exhaust pipes. As a result of this modification, the fog and reversing lamps were integrated into the outer pair of the tail lamps. The engine lid featured a large central ram air duct protruding above the roof for better cooling and a rear spoiler was standard equipment. The GT's body-work was composed mostly of carbon fibre, with the steel roof and aluminum doors being the only components to retain their standard material. Special 3-piece
OZ wheels finished the GT's exterior package. Inside, the GT had more prominent carbon fibre panels, race-spec bucket seats with four-point seatbelt harnesses, a smaller steering wheel, and an optional
Alpine LCD screen for
GPS navigation along with a bumper mounted
reversing camera. Despite the racing pretenses of the model, air conditioning was still installed as standard equipment. The airbags could be optionally omitted. While the basic V12 block remained the same, the engine was stroked from to for a new displacement of ; this engine, which would later be used in the revised Diablo VT 6.0, had a power output of and of torque. The transmission was the same 5-speed unit as used in other Diablo variants, but different gear ratios could be specified by the buyer. The car omitted the all-wheel-drive system to save weight.
Diablo VT 6.0 and VT 6.0 SE After the acquisition of Lamborghini by
Audi in 1998, its new owners set out to modernise and refine the Diablo while its successor, the
Murciélago, was being developed. Audi tasked then Lamborghini chief designer
Luc Donckerwolke to design a more refined and modern Diablo. The VT 6.0 as a result, featured significant styling changes both inside and out. On the exterior, the VT 6.0 differed from its predecessors with a revised front fascia that featured two large air intakes (similar to those later used on the Murciélago). The air dam, front bumper, and quarter panels were all reworked, the turn-signals were enlarged and shifted below the headlights, and the small air inlets at the top of the quarter panels were removed. The rear of the car remained familiar, but the taillight surrounds were now body-colored (rather than transparent, red or black) and the lamps themselves used the configuration seen on the track-oriented GT variant. Aluminum 18 inch
OZ wheels which were styled with a 5-hole "phone dial" design similar to that seen on the later models of the
Countach were used. The interior was refined by improved air-conditioning and revised seat and pedal alignment. The engine was shared with the limited production GT variant and had updated ECU software in addition to new intake and exhaust systems and a refined variable valve timing system with revised camshafts. The engine had a power output of and of torque. Due to the development of the Murciélago, the Diablo VT 6.0 was only available in the coupé bodystyle with no more roadster or SV models planned; however, customers could specially order a rear-wheel drive version of the VT 6.0. At the end of the Diablo's production run, the company introduced the limited production Diablo VT 6.0 SE. This model was only available in two colours; the gold metallic "Oro Elios" (gold sun) represented sunrise, while the color-shifting bronze/maroon "Marrone Eklipsis" (brown eclipse) represented the sunset. Other changes included a new magnesium intake manifold, short-ratio transmission, special upholstery treatment, "Lamborghini" badged brake calipers, comprehensive road map software in the navigation system, and enhanced carbon fibre trim on the interior. The power output remained the same as on the Diablo VT 6.0. Production was limited to 42 units. The Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 SE was publicly the last known Diablo to exist until the 2010 Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 "Tal Para Cual" (two of a kind) was completed. Within Lamborghini’s headquarters in
Sant'Agata Bolognese, two unfinished factory prototypes were used as display models. Both uncompleted models were sold to well known car collectors. The least developed model, now presented in yellow and road registered, was sold to Lord Paul Johnson. The other model, presented in orange, found its way into the hands of John Atzbach who is a noted collector of Shelby Mustangs. A team of mechanics were hired to complete the model presented in yellow, the vehicle was later registered in 2010, with its own distinct vehicle identification number, making it the most desirable and last registered Lamborghini Diablo worldwide. Both factory prototypes represent a unique piece of factory memorabilia, different from production Lamborghini Diablo models, but deemed and labelled with a much higher price tag than the 1998 Lamborghini Diablo SV Roadster, which only two units were also ever produced.
Specifications ==Factory racing specials==