Lamborghini Diablo History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
Start with a make and model. Add a year where a detailed guide is available.
Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
Browse this model's history and yearsHistory
Unveiled on 21 January 1990, the Diablo ('Devil') replaced the Countach with a longer, more aerodynamic body that Lamborghini claimed could exceed 320 km/h (200 mph), making it the first production Lamborghini to break that barrier. The 5.7-litre V12 produced 492 hp at launch, and the car was designed in-house by Marcello Gandini (the same designer as the Miura and Countach), though then-owner Chrysler had the bodywork softened from Gandini's original angular proposal.
Over its 11-year life the Diablo gained all-wheel drive (1993 VT), open-top motoring (1995 VT Roadster — Lamborghini's first production open-top V12), and a refreshed second-generation face for 1999 that replaced pop-up headlamps with fixed units. The track-focused Diablo GT of 1998 was limited to 80 examples. The final version, the VT 6.0 of 2000–2001, used a new 6.0-litre V12 producing 543 hp.
The Diablo was produced from 1990 through 2001 before being succeeded by the Murciélago; it was the last Lamborghini produced before Audi's full ownership influence was felt in the design.
Generations
First generation · Diablo / VT
Original 5.7-litre car; added VT AWD (1993) and VT Roadster (1995).
1991 Photo: “1991 Lamborghini Diablo in Midnight Blue Metallic, front left” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1993 Photo: “1993 Lamborghini Diablo SCD 24” by MrWalkr / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1994 Photo: “1994 Lamborghini Diablo Affolter Evolution, front left (Greenwich)” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1997 Photo: “Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster (1997)” by andreboeni / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1998 Photo: “1998 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster, front right (Greenwich Concours 2018)” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Second generation (facelift) · Diablo 1999+
Fixed headlamps, 18-inch wheels, and the 543 hp VT 6.0 final variant.
1999 Photo: “1999 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster in Giallo, front right” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- Coupe
- Roadster
Notable special editions & performance variants
Diablo SE30
30th anniversary limited edition; lighter, track-focused, ~150 built.
Diablo GT
Stripped-out, track-biased 575 hp variant; only 80 produced.
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Lamborghini Diablo
Search Amazon across available years, colors, and scales. Exact releases vary, so confirm the listing before ordering.