Lamborghini Diablo: V12 Icon That Redefined Supercars
In 1990, the Lamborghini Diablo ushered in a new era for the marque by breaking the 325 km/h barrier and setting a period record for road cars. The story began in 1985 with Project 132, created to replace the Countach and claim the title of the world’s fastest car. Early prototypes showed sharp, visionary lines that Chrysler later refined in 1987, bringing harmony and a forward-looking design. The final silhouette featured scissor doors, muscular proportions, a dramatic rear and a cockpit that felt both sporty and comfortable. Lamborghini unveiled the Diablo in the Principality of Monaco at the opening of the Monte Carlo Rally in 1990 and continued production until 2001. The car became a global icon of Italian supercar design and performance. Lamborghini Polo Storico now preserves this legend through its archive, restorations and certifications, protecting authenticity for collectors and enthusiasts.
“The Diablo isn’t just a symbol of Lamborghini’s history; it’s also a model of growing strategic importance to Polo Storico,” commented Alessandro Farmeschi, After Sales Director at Automobili Lamborghini. “In recent years, we’ve seen a significant increase in requests for certifications and restoration services for the Diablo, in the most part due to a new generation of collectors and enthusiasts who see this car as a cultural and design icon. This trend confirms the value of Polo Storico’s activities, which aim to preserve the legacy of the company and its cars, while also creating new opportunities in the classic car segment. By sharing Diablo’s story through the information and documents in our archive, we strengthen the bond with our customers and enthusiasts, while reaffirming the importance and lasting value of this model.”
Even the name signals a legend. Lamborghini chose Diablo in honour of a renowned fighting bull that fought for hours in 1869 against the matador José de Lara, known as "El Chicorro". Buyers responded immediately, placing orders even before the public presentation in a world without social media previews.
The Diablo used a 5.7-litre V12 with 492 CV and 580 Nm, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in around 4.5 seconds. On the Nardò circuit, it reached 3a speed of 37 km/h and set a new benchmark for road car speed. A tubular frame and an aluminium and steel body with carbon fibre inserts (used for the first time on a production car), combined with sophisticated suspension, delivered unprecedented dynamics. For the first time, a Lamborghini paired extreme performance with modern comfort, adding adjustable seats, electric windows and an Alpine stereo system, delivering luxury, design and power without compromise.
Over the course of eleven years, the Diablo evolved through multiple versions that shaped the history of supercars. In 1993, the VT introduced all-wheel drive on a Lamborghini V12, improving stability and safety and setting a template for future flagships. The same year, the SE30 marked the 30th anniversary with 525 CV, rising to 596 CV in the Jota version, while the 1995 VT Roadster established the line of open-top V12 models.
In 1998, following Audi's acquisition of Lamborghini, the Diablo underwent a major restyle, featuring fixed headlights in place of pop-up headlights, ABS, and a V12 engine enlarged to 6.0 litres. This change marked the launch of a new design and engineering phase under Audi's stewardship. The SV distilled pure performance, while the 1999 GT raised output to 575 CV and reached 338 km/h. The VT 6.0 and 6.0 SE represented the final evolution, styled by Luc Donckerwolke, the company’s first chief designer in this period. The Diablo also opened doors to official competition. In 1996, the Super Sport Trophy one-make championship debuted for the Diablo SV-R, with 32 cars produced, marking the first racing programme directly tied to the brand. From this effort came two ultra-rare Diablo GT1 Stradale prototypes with 655 CV, plus the Diablo GT-R, the track version of the GT built in 40+1 units that raced in Japan’s JGTC and across European GT series.
The Diablo’s influence reached far beyond the road. The car appeared in films, video games and TV programmes, captivating Hollywood with starring roles. A red Diablo driven by Jim Carrey lit up Dumb and Dumber (1994), while further appearances followed in Exit Wounds (2001) and Die Another Day (2002), and in series including Smallville, Nip/Tuck and Blue Mountain State. It became a Need for Speed hero in the 1990s and shared screen time with Cindy Crawford in a famous 1996 commercial. Music culture embraced it too. In Jamiroquai’s video for Cosmic Girl, it emerged as a pop symbol for a generation. Celebrities such as Jay Leno, Mike Tyson, Dennis Rodman, Jay Kay, Rod Stewart, Nicolas Cage, Troy Corser and Mario Andretti chose the Diablo, confirming its status as a global dream car.
With more than 60 colours available and around 40 customisable shades, this Lamborghini supercar anticipated the Ad Personam philosophy. Red proved most popular with over 550 cars. Total production reached 2,903 units, setting an all-time Lamborghini sales record up to 2001 and solidifying the brand’s worldwide reputation, while marking the beginning of a new era of international growth.
In 2023 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a 1994 Diablo SE30 reached the podium, underlining timeless appeal. Values continue to rise, particularly for special editions and highly customised examples. Demand for Lamborghini Polo Storico restorations and certificates of authenticity has grown in parallel, and international auctions reflect this sustained interest in classic Lamborghini models.
When production ended in 2001, the Diablo did not close a chapter. It launched a new one. The car redefined the supercar formula and paved the way for subsequent Lamborghini V12 flagships. Thanks to Lamborghini Polo Storico and a new wave of collectors, the Diablo now plays a central role in the dialogue between past and future. Thirty-five years after its debut, it still stands for extreme performance, timeless style, and technical innovation —a living legacy for Lamborghini enthusiasts and classic car fans alike.